I've played almost 22 years in the major leagues, and I've never sat on the bench.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I will not be on the bench until I am 60 or 65 years old.
It's annoying to be on the bench - it's truly annoying - but it's a test you have to overcome, and that's how you progress. It's difficult because all you want is to be able to help the team, and when you're on the bench, you can't.
I never want to sit out. I want to play baseball games.
My biggest benching was before the 2012 Olympics. It kind of came out of nowhere. I just kind of had one bad half, 45 minutes, and it pretty much cost me my starting spot.
Sitting behind the bench at games is the hardest thing I've ever had to go through because basketball is really most of my happiness. So when I can't go out there and exert energy and have fun and things like that, it kind of puts everything else into perspective.
I got into pro ball at 18 and played until I was almost 39, non-stop.
I had 12 years under my belt of baseball at the amateur level before I got to the big leagues.
I don't want to be a passenger sitting on the bench not doing much, even in my older years.
I've never played, on the field, any other position besides quarterback. Never been on a special team. Never been on defense.
I seldom was ever off my seat on the bench during the game.