Athlete Quotes

I've discovered new parts of my manhood, places I couldn't get to without loving someone else unconditionally and putting others before myself.

These vessels are out of sight, out of mind. They are exempt from minimum-wage requirements, from Coast Guard inspections, OSHA regulations and other safety laws.

It's the playoffs. You find a way to get through.

I used to get 15-20 bunt hits a season. Now, I'm down to five or six. Infielders still play me in, but I'm always looking if the opportunity is there.

To be a part of a championship team, I'm excited... This is the closest I've ever been to a championship. I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping this team repeat.

My thing is, I want to play basketball, I would enjoy playing in the D-League, but at the same time I don't want to take an opportunity away from a young guy to get exposure. I'm still thinking about it.

It's always good to go against your friends, especially when you come out victorious.

When I lose, I take it very personally.

This whole career has been way more than I ever even imagined or dreamed.

Right now in my career, it's like I'm having more fun than I've ever had, so it's kind of like, 'Man, I can't stop now.'

It's so empowering to see yourself as a machine.

It's all about balance and, I think, being in the moment.

It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.

I've faced more than 35 major leaguers, and only two have ever made contact against me.

I'm playing first base and pitching and hitting. I feel like I'm almost better than I've ever been. It's like, 'You're going to walk away like this?'

I try to squeeze in a workout whenever I can, even if it's doing squats with my 7-month-old in the kitchen or jumping on the trampoline with my 5-year-old.

I still think there are some pitches in this pitching arm, so I will continue playing with USA Softball, but knowing that this could be the last time a softball player stands on the Olympic podium and has the opportunity of experiencing this - it was emotional.

I love to run. I was challenged to run the New York marathon four months after having my youngest son, and since running isn't a big part of softball, the thought of a marathon was a stretch for me.

I just feel like it gets harder and harder every year with Ace getting older and time away from my husband and even family events such as birthdays and friends' weddings and things that I've always just missed out on because of softball.

There's nothing better than working up a good sweat.

I mean, I love winning, but losing is a much more intense feeling.

I hate losing.

Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball.

When I was 12, I had a coach tell me I would never be a championship pitcher. That devastated me. I was crushed.

Whatever I am doing at that moment, I want to make the most of it.

And my dad drilled it in my head, you know, 'If you want it bad enough, and you're willing to make the sacrifices, you can do it. But first you have to believe in yourself.

When I left Barcelona, staying in Spain was an important factor in my decision to join Madrid. I did not have to change country or learn a new language, adopt a different sort of lifestyle, and so on.

There was interest from clubs in Italy and England, I believe. But I've never been attracted by the way they play in Italy. Staying in Spain was always my preference.

The mistake is to imagine that perfection is possible when the very idea is unthinkable.

Some of the fans here were not too sure about their club signing a player from their biggest rivals. Fortunately, we had a great season and won the League title for the first time in four years. Now, I think, everyone can say it was good business.