Quotes from Alex Rodriguez

Having the respect of your peers means the world to me.

I've played almost 22 years in the major leagues, and I've never sat on the bench.

When you think small and up the middle, good things happen.

I've learned in my career, it is much better to be recognized for all the great things you do on the field.

Enjoy your sweat because hard work doesn't guarantee success, but without it you don't have a chance.

The more you play baseball, the less depends on your athletic ability. It's a mental war more than anything.

All I want to do is play baseball.

I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season.

It's a game that just takes so much out of you. Every aspect of your life has to be very narrow, very focused. Everything else has to go away. And because of that, I think it's obviously not healthy. The last thing I'm looking for is sympathy.

You can have fun, respect the game and also play it hard. When you have that combination, you're going to put yourself in a position to be successful.

I have a big scar in my thigh from a dog bite by my German shepherd. His name was Ripper. He was trying to get in a fight with another dog, and I tried to break it up, and he got me pretty good.

My daughters think I am a terrible cook, but I try really hard. I would really like to be a better cook.

The births of my two daughters were the two greatest moments of my life.

I've always said I'm a teacher at heart.

Always follow your dreams, don't let anyone tell you that you can't be something.

No athlete ever ends his or her career the way you want to. We all want to play forever. But it doesn't work that way. Accepting the end gracefully is part of being a professional athlete.

I just want to be able to communicate with my fan base.

I don't trust anyone except a very, very few people.

I had a very complex childhood, and when I met my wife, because she has a master's in psychology, she promoted me into getting help. It really has helped. I'm not healed yet, but I'm working on some issues I had as a child.

I'm a terrible singer. I feel lucky to play baseball. You can't be gifted in everything.

It's tougher when you're established. Before, I'd see 13, 14, 15 pitches that I could drive in a game. Now, I see one, two or three, so I have to be better.

I love the challenge of the game. I love the work. My goal right now is to have a season next year that will make people forget about this one. I'll use things like this for motivation. I'm pumped. I'm hungry.

I never like to think about going back; I only look forward.

There's absolutely no comparisons to me or anyone else to Willie Mays. Willie Mays, he's the greatest baseball player of all time.