“I could learn how to press ‘Record’ on a tape recorder and write for a newspaper or a magazine.”

There is nothing better than walking out and hitting a home run.

Sometimes I surprise my own damn self.

I have a chef who makes sure that I’m getting the right amounts of carbs, proteins and fats throughout the day to keep me at my max performance level.

I think everyone needs to be a role model, period.

If you want to be on top, you’ve got to have broad shoulders, because as fast as you get there, the faster they try to knock you down.

I think some of the pressure comes from the expectations of other people. Like if your father played baseball, they expect you to be the big lifesaver or something when you play a sport.

I’d like to help educate kids about the Major Leagues – what to anticipate, what to expect, what they’ll need to do to prepare themselves.

I like to be against the odds.

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

Those boos really motivate me to make something happen.

Baseball is just my job.

I know when I’m off alignment. I know when my body is out of adjustment. If your body is there, then mentally, you’ll be there. If your body feels good, then your mind feels good and your are going to feel better about your game.

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.

I don’t know what you guys say, but at home, life is way different from baseball.

There’s not too many rich black people in this world.

I don’t ever remember having any bad times here in Pittsburgh.

Every country I’ve had different hit records, so we have to change the set to fit the country.

I feel like making music because – and this has much to do with the way I was able to make this record – there’s more of myself in it.

I think these days, as an artist, you have to be slightly entrepreneurial. …Nobody really sells records anymore.

You don’t have to look a certain way to have a hit record.

The first records I heard were from Dizzy Gillespie and people like that.

I havent had a big hit record in America since 1987.

My school music teacher, Al Bennest, introduced me to jazz by playing Louis Armstrong’s record of “West End Blues” for me. I found more jazz on the radio, and began looking for records.

Every time I release an album my old record company releases another one.