My first ball I ever got from a big-league player I actually got to purchase in Dodger Stadium in a silent auction, was Reggie Jackson.

I'm thankful for not ever taking anything illegal.

I remember quotes in the paper, 'Here comes the man that New York loves to hate.' Man? None of you have probably ever eaten steak with me or rice and beans with me to understand what the man is about. You might say the player, the competitor, but the man? You guys have abused my name. You guys have said so many things, have written so many things.

I just try to do what I have to do and let the people out there do what they have to do, which is have fun, scream, yell and jump around. I try to do what I have to do, which is play baseball, and I can only play in that piece of area there, so that's what I try to do.

I'm open to play for anybody that would give me respect, treat me the right way, and actually going to make me feel comfortable.

Some other things I don't miss: the media and the pressure of just being asked to do, and being asked questions every day.

The bigger the contract, the bigger the responsibility.