ALFONSO SORIANO

When I was a kid, I believed in Santa Claus. But it was very tough because in the Dominican... there are not a lot of rich people there.

I never think Im going to make a double play in the outfield. But I did it.

My first year in Japan was very tough, just like my first year in the minors. But at least there I had a lot of Dominican people and Latin people I can talk to. If you don't have anybody to talk to, you can get depressed. But if you find someone who talks your language, it's easier.

In the Dominican, there are a lot of kids who need help. I just do that for my mom because my mom liked to help a lot of kids in the Dominican. Whoever I am right now is because of her. She gave me the education; she always took care of me like a mommy.

I don't want to change. I haven't done it before, I won't do it now.

The only problem is getting comfortable with myself. It's different for me, a different team. I have to try to do the best I can, working, trying to get comfortable in the left field and with my teammates, too.

When you start hanging out with Jennifer Lopez and Bill Clinton, you can't expect to remain an everyday person.

Sammy Sosa? Everybody knew who Sammy was, paid attention to Sammy. I had already signed in pro ball when he had the great homer year with Mark McGwire in '98. But I followed it, and I was proud of him because he was my countryman. There are a lot of great ballplayers from the Dominican, and he's one of the best.

When I was a kid, I believed in Santa Claus. But it was very tough because in the Dominican... there are not a lot of rich people there.

My first year in Japan was very tough, just like my first year in the minors. But at least there I had a lot of Dominican people and Latin people I can talk to. If you don't have anybody to talk to, you can get depressed. But if you find someone who talks your language, it's easier.

Sammy Sosa? Everybody knew who Sammy was, paid attention to Sammy. I had already signed in pro ball when he had the great homer year with Mark McGwire in '98. But I followed it, and I was proud of him because he was my countryman. There are a lot of great ballplayers from the Dominican, and he's one of the best.

When you start hanging out with Jennifer Lopez and Bill Clinton, you can't expect to remain an everyday person.

In the Dominican, there are a lot of kids who need help. I just do that for my mom because my mom liked to help a lot of kids in the Dominican. Whoever I am right now is because of her. She gave me the education; she always took care of me like a mommy.

I don't want to change. I haven't done it before, I won't do it now.

The only problem is getting comfortable with myself. It's different for me, a different team. I have to try to do the best I can, working, trying to get comfortable in the left field and with my teammates, too.

I never think Im going to make a double play in the outfield. But I did it.