“Sometimes I surprise my own damn self.”

“My career is an open book, but my life is not.”

“Losing dad was the worst thing in the world.”

“I’ve always played for the acceptance of my godfather and father.”

“Serra High school, to me, was my most enjoyable time for me in my entire life...that was the only time I was free...we just played baseball because it was fun.”

“It’s not the name that makes the player—it’s the player. If all sons of players could play in the major leagues, they’d all be up here. But they’re not.”

“I never stop looking for things to try and make myself better.”

“I think of myself as ‘catching’ the ball with my bat—and letting the pitcher supply the power.”

“It’s called talent—I just have it. I can’t explain it. You either have it or you don’t.”

“I need to win, man. I’ve had numbers, but I’ve never won a World Series.”

"It's a relief now to be able to stand next to my godfather and finally feel like I've accomplished something in the game of baseball."