The key to dealing with people in general is that they have to know that you care about them. You have to deal with people in gentleness. You have to come along side of them. You can't push them. You can't pull them. You have to walk with them. In order to do that, you've got to demonstrate care for that individual. That's my whole thing

I wish I was just a left-handed hitter. It's really tough having to keep both sides sharp, and that's one reason why you don't see switch-hitters hit for that high of an average. You're always fighting one side or the other.

When I started to play consistently and produce consistently, that's when I knew that I could compete and do well in the big leagues.

Theres a little more margin for error this year. Last year, it felt like we had to win every game. That wasnt a lot of fun.

What comes first, the chicken or the egg? You start out bad, you don't really feel right, you don't have the same explosion, then you start to lose confidence, you start to doubt your ability. It's a snowball effect.

If you gave me a choice between being married and being a baseball player, that's a no-brainer. I would be married any day. I just love it.

I almost feel guilty. The physical toll is tremendous. Im exhausted and I only played nine innings.