If I put my name on something, I'm going to be involved. I'm not just going to put my name on it and not pay attention.

I'm not perfect; no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I think you try to learn from those mistakes.

I always take criticism as a challenge. It's the way I've always looked at it.

The big difference for me is that, as I get older, I find it's a lot easier to stay in shape than it is to get back in shape.

I've always been very aware of what I'm saying, but I'm also aware of what you're saying. I always want to make sure that my point is clear.

If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose.

The first thing to know about playing baseball in Michigan is, Michigan's really cold.

I remember going from rookie ball to A, to double A, then to triple A. At every level it seemed like the game was faster. The bigger the situation, the more the game speeds up. That's all mental. It messes people up.

I always appreciated the ex-players. Being a Yankee, you get spoiled. Old-Timers Day, all these guys coming back, spring training, being around them, you get a chance to get to know them. So I always think you learn a lot by listening.

There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do - and I believe that.

I wish I trusted people more. But when I meet someone, the first thing is, 'What does this person want?' And I put up a defense mechanism. But I've always been that way.

Don't get me wrong; it's not like I didn't go out and have fun. But there's been a lot of players that come to New York and get caught up in the lifestyle, and before you know it, they're sent away to another team because it affected their performance.

I get nervous watching teammates. I get nervous for them. Late in the game, pressure situation, I'm nervous for them.

I think sometimes people need to get used to an idea.

What kind of influence did my parents have on my life? Well, they had the most influence. These are the people who are closest to me. My parents are very positive people. They've been supportive. They're always there.

Obviously, you're known for what you do. But you still want to be known as a good person. You're a person a lot longer before and after you're a professional athlete.

I'm a New Yorker now, and believe me, there's no comparison between the Big Apple and Kalamazoo, no similarity at all. New York City's hectic, always in fast-forward, and Kalamazoo's more laid-back, smaller, slower.

The draft is a crapshoot, so I've been very fortunate to be drafted by the Yankees, and to have spent my whole career here.