" Back in the day, before I really started to work on defense, I would just take ground balls, whatever, a couple, and then I’d say, ‘OK, now I’m going to go hit.’ Now I spend just as much time on ground balls as I do on hitting. "
- Nolan Arenado

In baseball, players typically engage in a variety of training activities, such as hitting practice and defensive drills like fielding ground balls. The speaker, referring to their earlier days before focusing intensively on defense, describes how they would spend limited time working on fundamental skills like catching ground balls and then quickly move on to batting practice. However, the speaker emphasizes that now they allocate equal amounts of time to both aspects of training.

This quote underscores a shift in the athlete's mindset from prioritizing offense over defense to recognizing the critical importance of comprehensive skill development. The statement highlights the evolution of their understanding about the necessity of balanced and thorough preparation for all facets of the game, indicating that success comes not just from specializing in one area but from mastering multiple aspects of baseball. By dedicating equal time to both hitting and defensive work, the player demonstrates a mature approach to training that likely enhances overall performance.

The quote is attributed to Nolan Arenado, an accomplished professional baseball player known for his exceptional fielding abilities as well as his power-hitting prowess. Born in Venezuela, Arenado has become one of Major League Baseball's premier third basemen, renowned for both his defensive excellence and offensive contributions on the diamond. His commitment to refining all aspects of his game reflects a dedication to continuous improvement that sets him apart as an elite player.