I think I've earned a certain level of respect, based on my accomplishments and my consistency.

• I've got a wife, four kids, a business, and a baseball career.
• I've always wanted to be the best in the world as a baseball player, so when I started to think about opening a business, it was with that mindset.
• I've helped create over 400 jobs in the worst economy of my lifetime. That's cool.
• Before I pitch any game, from spring training to Game 7 of the World Series, I'm scared to death.
• The things I was allowed to experience, the people I was able to call friends, teammates, mentors, coaches and opponents, the travel, all of it, are far more than anything I ever thought possible in my lifetime.
• I don't hide my feelings, but when it comes to illness, I guess I don't panic. My father was the same way. I'm the provider for the family and the caretaker. If I panic, who is anybody going to run to?
• Short of baseball and my family, it was gaming. And gaming is a $20-million to $200-million multi-year effort. It's an insane, stupid and utterly irresponsible act. But I did it.
• Every dollar I can't commit to my company that's paid in taxes is paying a government that I believe is too big and doing way too much that I don't want done.
• I don't have any problem with government helping entrepreneurs and businesses.
• The only thing I hope I did was never put in question my love for the game, or my passion to be counted on when it mattered most.