Mookie Betts

I've been playing golf for a little while and I can't get over the 85 hump. It doesn't matter how good or bad I shoot on one side, I'm going to end up around 85.

It's OK for two sides to disagree. It's perfectly fine. It's normal.

I want to be a great role model to let the kids, especially black kids, that it's possible to make it in this sport. I think we, as a black community, quit playing the game because we think it's a white man's sport. Or we think that since other black people don't play it, so why should I play it.

There wasn't a favorite team or player in the Betts household. I played baseball, day in, day out, and learned the game my own way alongside my parents - Willie and Diana.

I think a lot of times you start to second-guess yourself, especially as a young player, but you've got to have confidence that everything will be all right.

I guess bowling is pretty mechanical. It's kind of a natural motion, but you have to stick within those mechanics.

Even in the minor leagues, I just said I'll get my little bit of time in here and then get out of here. I was going to try, though. I wasn't going to just give up. I was always going to try. I'm here. I figured I might as well try.

This game is obviously about failure. You're going to fail most of the time. It's how you handle it.

You have to have sound mechanics to repeat the same delivery each time. That's the hard part. Since I don't bowl all the time I'm not consistent with my mechanics.

You don't criticize or critique your teammates if they're having a hard time. You try to encourage them just like you hope that they'll encourage you.

I was born into wearing hats - it's a family thing - and I wear hats all the time.

In order to be great you have to continue to put in the work.