Someone pointed out to me that the fans have been nice enough to vote for me for the Hank Aaron Award. That's a big honor and I wanted to say thanks for everyone who voted, and those who are still voting now that all of the team's finalists were picked. I'm told that will continue until Sept. 30.

I was lucky enough to win that award in 2007 and met with Hank on the field before a World Series game. That was really cool, something special that I'll remember. I had met him as a kid, but this was kind of an opportunity to talk to him a little bit more. We talked about baseball and some of the accomplishments he had in the game. It wasn't like he gave me advice, because there wasn't much time for it. But he told me to play hard and wished me luck in my career. Like I said, it was special.

As for this year's Hank Aaron Award, I don't see how Albert Pujols doesn't win it. He's having a Triple Crown-type season and I think he deserves it. But it's still great to have the support of the fans that I've been getting, and I thank you guys for that.

I've also been getting a lot of love this week after setting a couple of team records, and I appreciate that. Like I told the reporters, though, I would rather be winning more games than hearing about records and stats. I'd trade that stuff in if it meant we could go back to the playoffs.

It didn't happen this year, but I like the way we're still playing hard. We're going to keep doing that until the season is officially over. 

-Prince

We still have a lot of work to do, but at least the team is playing a little bit better lately. I feel like we have good energy back, and I feel like the team is getting its confidence level back. We still expect to win every game.

Last week was interesting because we had some roster moves. Those are tough, but we tried to keep things light in the clubhouse. That's mostly guys like Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall; they're really good at that. By seeing them and playing with them, I learned that it's good to always be upbeat. Once you see guys like that, you start feeling the same way.

We're still in it. I said the other day that if some people don't think we are, then we'll just have to play for the fans who still believe. As a player, you have to have some kind of belief or you wouldn't be playing. But on a day to day basis, you don't even worry about the races. You just keep playing and see what happens.

One more thing -- I was watching some Track and Field this week and I have to say that Usain Bolt is fast. We have Alcides Escobar on the team now, and he's fast, but he wouldn't have a chance of beating Bolt on the track. Home plate to first base, maybe. If Bolt knew how to hit, I'd have to go with him.

Escobar has been pretty fun to watch. He's brought some good energy, too, and we're just going to have to try and keep it going.

Until next time
-Prince

The headline pretty much says it all, but welcome to my new blog. This is the first time I've tried anything like this, so I'm not exactly sure where to start or what to say, so I hope you all will help me out by putting some questions or suggestions in the comments. That will help a lot, and I'll get to as many as I can during the rest of the season.

I wish we had better things to start talking about for the team. It's a little weird to get going when we're not doing so well, but hopefully we can turn it around. We've gone through things like this before, and it's just something you have to deal with until you get it right. You can't do anything about the past.

I still think we have a little run in us. You always have to think that way, think positively. I'm looking forward to talking about that.

-Prince