I'm still pinching myself. I am very grateful of the way things have gone.

I'm not out to prove anything to anybody.

I don't denounce being Canadian at any point, but I'm definitely proud to be an American.

Larry Walker paved the way for guys like me.

I tried hockey, but it never stuck.

I like to see a lot of pitches just to get a feel for being in the batter's box and seeing pitches.

Everyone says the best fans in baseball are here [in Boston] and I can't wait to be a part of that.

I can do a little bit of everything, I'd like to think.

Before, baseball was something to do to get ready for the hockey season. Now, people look to play baseball, period. It's something you stick with.

It really tests you as a person as far as whether you can handle failure.

I don't really like the limelight.

Can you revive wilted tulips?

Love is an unconditional gift, and not a bargain.

The most important influence is all our lives are love. If we're never taught to love, then showing and accepting love becomes difficult.

Willie Mays was the best ever. When I was in college I once made a catch like the one Mays made over his head. Sometimes when I'm lying in bed at night I think about it. It still makes me warm.

People ask me, 'What do you do?' And I tell them I'm a writer, but always with the silent reservation, 'I am, of course, not really a writer. Hemingway was a writer.'

Gratitude is the root of joy.

My age fallen away like white swaddling Floats in the middle distance, becomes An inhabited cloud.

Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.

Why wouldn't you write to escape yourself as much as you might write to express yourself? It's far more interesting to write about others.

There's always going to be someone as funny as you or funnier.