The clubhouse was different. Everything was different, ... We need to find the feeling when you come here to the clubhouse.

I don't like to watch my team lose. I feel a little pressure. It's not going to help my team sitting the way I have.

How many times in your life do you have a chance to represent your country?

I feel better. When I get back, I want to play every day, not the way I've been playing.

I had the chance to play with Edgar Martinez , and he reminds me of him. The one thing I can tell you is this guy can hit. He prepares well and has a good workout routine. Not all ballplayers are like that.

I'm going to play. He'd better play. They're going to kill him in Venezuela if he doesn't play.

For example, when I was in Seattle, I feel different. My teammates, I put my mind back there, the clubhouse was different, in the plane, everything was different. We need to find that feeling. When you come here to the clubhouse and get that feeling. We understand we've been losing. When you're not hitting, you're struggling and trying to get out of the slump. Good players, they do it quick. That's the way you're going to get better. That's what we need here.

I truly believe that winning the Caribbean title has a great effect on the World Classic because it will make us the favorites. If we also win the Classic there will be no doubt of who is the best team in the world.

Why wouldn't anyone want to represent their country? It's a great honor. There is so much excitement back home about (the tournament). There's a lot of pride because everyone wants us to do well.

It feels better. What I want to do is come back before the end of the season and at least give it a test in games.