"Losing hasn't changed the way you play, has it?

"I look at everyday as an opportunity to get better. It's not the result that we want right now, but it's what we have. We've got to get better. To me, I've got to try and learn from everything that comes my way and find a way to get better because of it."

Is it still fun to come to the park everyday even with the losing?

"Today is an opportunity to do something special on the greatest stage in the game that I love. Everyday is the day we're going to turn it around. I've got to take everything from every moment that I have. This is where we're at, and it's a reflection on me. I'm supposed to be the leader on this team. I continue to put my heart and soul into it, and to give it everything I've got. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and know it's not going to stay this way forever. I try to look myself in the mirror and see what I can do to turn it around."

Are you conscious of the younger players watching how you play, how you work?

"Who's to say that what I do is going to be good for someone else? My thing is we're all in this together. We're all trying to get better together. Sometimes I work too hard, and it's counter-productive where I injure myself or don't have all my energy for the game. Everyone has to find the balance that works best for them. That's the difficult part. Everyone knows pitching and defense is the recipe for winning. We've got to play better defense. I think we're doing a little better job of that. We've got to make our pitches and score the big runs."

Have you always played the game with high energy?

"I just try to give it everything I have. That's how I compete. It's a team sport. There's no individual success that matters at all.""