There's nothing I value more than the closeness of friends and family, a smile as I pass someone on the street.

To me, baseball has always been a reflection of life. Like life, it adjusts. It survives everything.

That's where the future lies, in the youth of today.

They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball. And they tell you to hit it square.

I flailed my arm in a throwing motion before I could even walk.

The bat is gone, but the smile remains.

I wasn't out drinking and abusing my body. I simply loved to go out and dance.