I come from a blue-collar town - and being from that place, you learn not to let anybody take advantage of you. You don't let people mistreat you. You stand up for what's right.
You have to stay focused and be mentally tough. That's what I've really learned: every day is a grind, and you have to go hard.
Every time I step onto the field, whether people like it or not, I'm not trying to play dirty - I'm just playing tough.
When you are tough on yourself, life is going to be infinitely easier on you.
This is a pretty barbaric game. You can't really let emotions get into the way.
The tradition of professional baseball always has been agreeably free of chivalry. The rule is, "Do anything you can get away with."
I don't have a specific mantra; It's more about believing that I'm tough. I've been through a lot, and I'm not wiling to let myself get beat.
You've just got to go out there and compete hard every day.
If I am in it, I want to win it. I am not here to look pretty.
