At least A-Rod didn't use the phrase 'living hell' to describe his existence these days in New York (or with Kate Hudson)

An interview with FoxSports.com and Fox MLB reporter Ken Rosenthal had with the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez is up for declassification at the net's website (linked here).

If Angels fans are wondering about his mindset, consider these quotes:

On what is different for him this postseason: "I came in and I've been having a lot of fun. I knew one thing. I knew I couldn't change all the 0-4's and 0-5's that I've had in the past so for me this year the key has been to simplify things and let baseball do all the talking and just have fun and enjoy it. I also knew that we have a very good team, we have 25 guys that are very capable and that one guy doesn't have to do more than anyone else, so I just came out and enjoyed it."

On how the steroid reports during spring training were a low point: "There was no question it was the bottom, no question. I think my life and my career were at the crossroads and I knew I couldn't change a lot of the mistakes that I've made off the field and I looked at it as an opportunity. I knew that I was 34 and not 44 and I had a lot of baseball and a lot of life ahead of me and I had an opportunity to re-write or basically write the last four or five chapters of the book, of my book. I looked at it as an opportunity; I could have gone one of two ways. I could have folded and just given up or make the best out of it and realize that there was light at the end of the tunnel and for me to start doing things right on and off the field is something that I focused on."

== On how he's become something of a spokesman in educating young people about the dangers of steroids: "I'd rather not go about that but I will say this - when I came back in Baltimore I told the New York media and basically the fans that I wanted to focus on baseball and let baseball do my talking and give you guys a story without talking, just let my bat do the talking. I knew that they wouldn't take my word and I don't blame them so looking back now in six months I'm glad that I've been able to at least accomplish that part and focus on the game and simplify things and have a lot more fun."

== A fan ran onto the field Sunday night in Minnesota and was heading right towards Mariano Rivera...you bolted towards the mound to protect Rivera...that action seemed to say a lot about your bond with your teammates...how much has that bond grown: "It's grown tremendously; this is the most fun that I've had in my career. I think, talking about the lows and the highs going back to spring training, as long as I've ever felt both personally and in my career and everything. To be able to bounce back and build this bond with 24 guys and my coaching staff it's just been something that has taught me a lot of lessons."