I'm always alright, as long as I've got [a bat].

If you can stay back, you can wait an extra split-second longer, and then you become more relaxed, and that's when you gain confidence.

You've got to hit 30 before you hit 40.

I feel like I'm strong enough that I don't have to do anything to turn on the ball. When I do that-when I'm ready to take the ball up the middle, when I'm willing to go the other way-that's when I can turn on the ball.

I love Minnesota, and I'd love to play my whole career here.

I don't really set personal goals for home runs or anything like that. However many I hit, I hit. If I'm making consistent contact and hitting the ball hard, then I will hit home runs.

I believe I'm a middle-of-the-order hitter capable of driving in runs. If I stay healthy, I'll get back to that level.

A first-place team? You're always excited to become a part of that.

If I'd had a good year last year, I might have stuck with (27). But with the year I had and knowing that 33 has always been my number, I thought this season would be a good time to go back to what has always been good luck for me.

Hopefully, I can change things. I think I'll hit where I deserve to hit in the lineup if I'm swinging the bat well. You know, it doesn't matter that much. Hopefully it's somewhere in the middle, where I think I can help us win games.