The first principle of contract negotiations is don't remind them of what you did in the past - tell them what you're going to do in the future.

There is no one correct way to bat, and so of course there is no one correct stance for it.

What made me sign with the Cardinals? Because they used salesmanship, the personal touch.

The first principle of contract negotiations is don't remind them of what you did in the past - tell them what you're going to do in the future.

A lot of hitters stay away from the plate, some are close up, some are forward, some are back. The thing about hitting is this: You have to know the strike zone. That's the most important thing. Hit strikes and put the bat on the ball.

What I try to do is never to hurt anybody else and figure if I don't, then I'm not likely to get hurt myself.

The one unbreakable rule about hitting is this: if a batter hits well with his own particular stance and swing, think twice - or more - before suggesting a change.