Justin Morneau Quotations

There are only a few Canadians in the big leagues. It's a pretty good opportunity for us to kind of grab people's attention and let them know there's something in our country other than hockey. It's a huge sense of pride for us.

I broke a bat and found a hole.

I am too slow. I don't think I could do it, and I don't think anyone would watch me do it, either.

We're pretty good at that, playing name that tune. Joe gets all the rap songs. I get all the alternative stuff.

He's going to have to get a Maple Leaf tattoo to play on that team.

I'm still striking out more than I'd like to, but we've got some real hitters in this lineup. It's a lot easier when there's other hitters teams are afraid of.

I'm still smiling, it was an amazing game. We kind of got a little bit of a scare there at the end, it was as excited as I've ever been on the field.

We put on Tragically Hip, we told him we were going to brainwash him. We told him he had to memorize all the songs by the time we got here.

We can't look that far ahead. That doesn't mean they can't beat us on any given day. They can jump up and bite you.

We said we couldn't wait to get home, that all those losses we could blame on the road. We're glad we're here. It's a big confidence builder for us.

You feel like a family during the regular season, any time you win the team's always closer, that sort of thing. When you're playing for your country, it's almost like you're playing for your brothers. It's a little sweeter.

Even though he's not Canadian, we'll take him.

There was a lot more intensity, a lot more importance to the games. It just helped my timing come along a little quicker because I played nine innings all three games and played a couple exhibitions before that. It just helped me get ready quicker.

There's not as many expectations on this team that there are on other teams. It's a good position for us to be in.

Sometimes, you can get a little too excited. I just need to relax and have fun.

That was a big confidence booster. It's one of those things you can build on, the more you do it the easier it gets.

It was a lot more intense, there was a lot more focus. Any time you have a high-pressure situation, high-pressure at-bats, it makes you more relaxed in those situations.

I told him I wanted to use his because his has the hits in them.

I know what to expect now. I've been through it before. I feel good.

I haven't been doing as well as I expect myself to do, or anyone else expects me to do, ... I've learned a lot this season. It's been a battle every day. I think I'll be better for it next year.

I haven't swung that small a bat since I was in high school, but I figured it was working for him so I might as well try it, too. I told him I wanted to use his, because they have hits in them. He hasn't broken any bats this year, but I've broken six of his. But I figure as long as I keep getting hits, I can keep using them.

I get a little too excited there. I just try to do too much. Here, I'm comfortable. I've played here a lot. I know the pitchers a lot more. I know what to expect.

He's really good. But he's good at everything he does.

I didn't feel as good in Toronto, but I didn't feel lost at the plate like I had before. I didn't swing at bad pitches.

Hopefully, I can change things. I think I'll hit where I deserve to hit in the lineup if I'm swinging the bat well. You know, it doesn't matter that much. Hopefully it's somewhere in the middle, where I think I can help us win games.

If I'd had a good year last year, I might have stuck with (27). But with the year I had and knowing that 33 has always been my number, I thought this season would be a good time to go back to what has always been good luck for me.

A first-place team? You're always excited to become a part of that.

I believe I'm a middle-of-the-order hitter capable of driving in runs. If I stay healthy, I'll get back to that level.

I don't really set personal goals for home runs or anything like that. However many I hit, I hit. If I'm making consistent contact and hitting the ball hard, then I will hit home runs.

I love Minnesota, and I'd love to play my whole career here.

I feel like I'm strong enough that I don't have to do anything to turn on the ball. When I do that-when I'm ready to take the ball up the middle, when I'm willing to go the other way-that's when I can turn on the ball.

You've got to hit 30 before you hit 40.

If you can stay back, you can wait an extra split-second longer, and then you become more relaxed, and that's when you gain confidence.

I'm always alright, as long as I've got [a bat].