I said Dontrelle Willis before the game. I say Chris now. I faced Chris when he was in Toronto and I thought he was the best I'd ever seen then. He's better now. |
I told him, 'If you want to change the perception of yourself as a player, one team sticks out: the White Sox.' I said, 'No place were you hated more than in U.S. Cellular by the White Sox fans. If you can win over those fans, then everyone will realize people have the wrong idea about you as a player.' |
I told Willie the only way I'd play today is if I catch. |
I wasn't trying to bunt it, that's for sure. |
I'm sick to my stomach about it, I told them that if they sent me down, I'm not coming back. |
I've got no clothes, ... I thought I was coming to St. Lucie for two days. And then [Saturday] our cat went to the bathroom in my suitcase. |
If I got it right out of my glove, we get him at home. |
If that's not the play of the year, I'll protest. |
It was fine til I went and stretched before my first at-bat. I have my little routine I do on deck since I was probably 7 years old, and this time for some reason I felt a pop. |
It was funny when I heard him say in an interview the other day, 'I'm used to being Public Enemy No. 1,' |
It was the second time in my career that I've ever done it, been the DH. I asked Buddy if he was trying to get fired. He laughed. |
It's been blown way out of proportion. |
It's good enough to go, not 100 percent, but good enough. I've been ready for a week pretty much. |
Just say a prayer for me that it grows back, |
Me, my family, went through hell and back. It should have been handled differently. I'm glad it's over. I can put my (World Series) ring back on with pride now. |