Gabe Kapler

“I can remember being in right field in Yankee Stadium and fans armed with media guides called out my family by their names and said absolutely unrepeatable things. I laughed to myself and it never bothered me.”

“I'd had a concept that I strongly believe in, which is that when people are comfortable and they're confident, they are also better at life and better at their job.”

“Sports psychology suggests - and we as players have been taught - that negative self-talk can diminish our chances for success and that the opposite is also true. Given the talent, we can also think and speak our way to success.”

“When designing a workout program for high level performers, factors such as body type, previous training experience, and even pain tolerance come into play.”

“There is nowhere on Earth like Boston for a player.”

“Green base ballers don't want to be viewed as unhealthy. Young players are constantly judged and evaluated on every layer of their being.”

“Confidence, it turns out, is as vital to a players success as is talent.”

“I've been privy to many athletic environments, both amateur and professional.”

“I vividly recall the physical sensation and emotion of playing defense behind my teammates - pitchers dominating opposing lineups, throwing up zero after zero as the innings progressed.”

“In 2006, I woke up every morning and dreaded the ballpark. I knew how difficult it was to even prepare my body to go out and play.”

“I had my share of failures at the plate as a MLB player, but I was always pretty confident against left-handed pitching.”

“Heavy pitchers can have bulky muscle that leads to decreased flexibility or carry extra fat that puts increased stress on the ligaments and tendons.”

“The New York Yankees signed Masahiro Tanaka, and the baseball world has yawned.”

“Lower stress equals a calmer approach at the plate. Calm equals a still head, allowing us to see the ball better. Confidence and relaxation; the hitter's Holy Grail.”

“My dad ran a few marathons; I fight the urge to do the same because I know that it's not the most efficient way to train unless you're preparing for an event similar in nature, which baseball players are not.”

“After an injury left me unable to perform my usual routine, I focused on the best upper body workouts to keep myself fit and strong.”

“When I was 8 years old, I was struck by a car and broke a few ribs.”

“Hip flexibility is genetic to a degree, and the most gifted hitters have won both the genetic and mechanical lottery.”

“So for me, my vice and big challenge is coffee intake. I drink black, organic coffee, but I drink way too much.”

“I despise wasting a meal.”