“I want to be the best, and the best work. You have to earn what you get, and you have to work to keep it.”

“I only look forward. I can’t get all caught up in what I’ve done. I still have plenty to accomplish in the game. Hopefully, I’m just scratching the surface.”

“You can have fun, respect the game and also play it hard. When you have that combination, you’re going to put yourself in a position to be successful.”

“I like to score and drive in runs more than pay attention to batting average.”

“You always dream about being on a baseball card. It’s kind of funny when you finally see it.”

“I want to be known as Dominican—that’s what I am, 100 percent ... I have a duty and responsibility to continue the legacy of Dominicans in baseball.”

“My mother’s the most special person in my life ... I consider her my MVP: Most Valuable Parent.”

“I hate the word ‘potential’—potential means you haven’t gotten it done.”

“There is a difference between image and reputation. Image is nice. Reputation is developed over an entire career. Reputation is what I’m searching for.”

“If my team could win and I hit .240, I wouldn’t care. The only thing I want to do is win. That’s what I play the game for.”

“You can never be perfect in this game. Until you hit 1.000 and make no errors, you can always improve.”

“I’ve been Michael Jordan in Latin countries for years. I know what I mean to all Latinos and what this game means to them. Baseball is in their blood.”

'I want to build a positive image that will last my career.”

“I have incredible motivation to go out and improve every day.”

“Not one day goes by when I don’t remind myself of how grateful I am for those who came before me over the last 25 years. When I see players like Mike Schmidt and Johnny Bench, I thank them.”

“I feel like I'm getting close. I like playing at the Stadium. I like hitting at the Stadium.”

“There's no place like New York. And I found out that until you go through it for a season, you really don't know it.”

“I do my best hitting when I'm walking. That means I'm relaxed and my pitch recognition is a lot better.”

“I don't care if people like me or not. Respect is more important.”

“I don't expect people to feel sorry for me. My teammates get more upset about the criticism and booing than I do.”

“I've done a lot of special things in this game, and for none of that to be considered clutch, it's an injustice.”

“Why do people sing 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' when they're already there?”

“It's important for me to play well down the stretch for this team—and in October.”

“Always follow your dreams; don't let anyone tell you that you can't be something.”

“Whether I hit .260 or .320, the bottom line here is to win.”