Derrek Lee quotes:

It's not like I'm an introvert. You get to know me, I can have a conversation with you. But in front of the media, I'm probably more of a quiet guy.

If they watch me play, people will say I'm not into it or whatever. That's okay. I kind of like it. People don't know how much work I'm putting into it. They don't need to know.

I felt I was good in basketball but I wasn't a blue-chip prospect.

Sometimes it's more fun to compete with your friends, because you can talk a little trash with them.

I want to be on that team that wins the world championship here in Chicago and sees the city go crazy.

Defense is something I take pride in. I feel it's just as important as offense. They should have RBIs for defensive plays.

You just get better with age. You learn yourself and the league. I'm starting to understand more about hitting every year.

If you write in the paper 'Lee stinks,' that's not going to affect me. I'll just laugh. And if you write 'Derrek Lee is the best player in the league,' that won't affect me either. I'll laugh.

The chance to go to the postseason, it's hard to pass up.

As a first baseman, hitting home runs is what's expected of me. But I don't really try to hit home runs.

I miss basketball every now and then.