'I want a World Series, That's it.'

THE SMILING SLUGGER ADDED ALL-STAR MVP HONORS TO HIS RESUME THIS SUMMER AND WOULD LIKE TO TACK ON A CHAMPIONSHIP RING THIS FALL FOR THE FREE AGENT-TO-BE, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT IS A CONCERN FOR ANOTHER DAY.

Prince Fielder has become one of the most recognizable, celebrated, talented and sometimes misunderstood players in baseball since his major league debut in 2OO5. All of those labels have been accurate at one time or another, and he doesn't hide from any of them. Fielder has always been himself in the clubhouse and in the national spotlight, wearing his emotions for all to see- for better or worse.

As he winds down his final season before his first run at free agency, Fielder is again posting outstanding numbers: He's fourth in the National League in homers (25) and third in RBIs (83). He spoke with Sporting News' Anthony Witrado before a recent game in Phoenix- where Fielder had led the National League to a second consecutive All-Star Game win a week earlier- about everything from why his two sons aren't playing Little League to the Brewers' all-in attitude for the 2O11 season.

SN: You had a pretty eventful All-Star break, hitting in the Home Run Derby and winning MVP honors in the All-Star Game. Where does that rank on the list of coolest things you've ever done?

FIELDER: That's probably close to No. 1, just because my boys were there with me and my family. I actually got to stand there (with the trophy) in front of everybody with (my sons). It was probably the only game on TV that night, so it was a cool moment.

SN: What did your sons say?

FIELDER: They said, "Hey, Dad. When are we going to see Matt again?" I'm like, "Who's Matt?" "You know, Matt Kemp." And I'm like, "Oh, OK. It's Matt now, huh?" Then they wanted to know where Brian is, and I said, "Who?" And they go, "Brian Wilson. The guy with the beard." I like that. It gives my kids a little more swag because they've been on big stages with me.

SN: Discussing family, your relationship with your father, Cecil Fielder- are the two of you still not communicating?

FIELDER: As far as me and my dad, it's still the same. I'm not angry anymore or anything, but that's just the way it is.

SN: What have you learned from that as far as being a father to your boys?

FIELDER: For my kids, I just want to make sure I'm there for them all the time. I can only imagine not being able to talk to them. That would be terrible for me. I just want to make sure I do everything I can to make sure they are happy. I talk to them; we spend time. Whenever I do have time, they are always with me.

SN: It must be good that they are still young and not in school yet.

FIELDER: Right. That's why I won't put them in Little League quite yet because then they'd have to be (at home) in Florida and I'd never get to see them.

SN: Your boys gravitate toward baseball. Is that something you steer them toward?

FIELDER: Sure. They obviously like it, and the way I see it, you've got to do something. So if they like it, that's fine. Plus, getting this kind of experience, it's hard not to like it. I'll support that.

SN: You will be a free agent after this season. How much is that on your mind?

FIELDER: I don't think it's on my mind as much as last year. Now that it's here, there's no more nerves. It's not an uncomfortable situation for me. I'm going to be a free agent, and it's just whatever now. It is what it is. It's easier for me to focus this year because I really know that I have no idea what's going to happen, so I'm just playing.

SN: It was a pretty emotional end to last season for you because you thought you might get traded during the offseason. Are those feelings gone because Milwaukee is a legitimate contender?

FIELDER: Yeah. I'm not thinking about anything else right now because we're winning and actually have a shot. I'm just trying to take advantage of our situation. We have a good team and are in the race. Now it's to the point where we need to really focus and start doing it.

SN: Do you ever get cheated on a swing?

FIELDER: At times. I mean, if I'm fooled, then yeah, every now and then. Like if I'm going up there with two strikes, I'm starting to get comfortable when there's the shift and nobody on, just hitting it the other way. I'm not giving it 1OO percent to actually hit it over there, but I know that if I can just wait on it, I can get it over there. Unless I'm really trying and overswinging at times, I won't (get cheated). There's a difference between an aggressive swing, and you guys might not notice it, but I do. Like, OK, my head may have been over here on this swing and nowhere close to seeing the ball. So then I have to back it up a little bit for a couple at-bats until I get it under control.

SN: When you do barrel up a ball, can anybody hit it harder than you?

FIELDER: I don't think so. There's a lot of guys that can hit the ball hard, but, yeah, I'm up there.

SN: Looking at Adam Dunn, a guy who spent his entire career in the National League and now is struggling in his first season in the American League as a DH, is that something that will be a factor when you're making a decision about where to sign?

FIELDER: It might. Not so much struggling with it, but yeah. It's a different position. It's something I'd have to think about. It's like if someone asked me to play left field or something. It's a totally different situation. I don't think it's something Fm afraid of or wouldn't do, I'd just have to think about it.

SN: You like playing the field. Do you think you're underrated defensively?

FIELDER: Not this year. I've been Jackie Chan-ing balls this year. Sometimes you go out there and you don't feel good. You just have to keep getting better.

SN: Looking at your build, are you sneakyathletic?

FIELDER: Oh, yeah! That, yeah, they sleep on that athleticism.

SN: Some people look at a guy like you or Bartolo Colon, they think, If those guys can play baseball, anybody can. How difficult is it, though?

FIELDER: You see guys like me or Bartolo playing, then you see a guy who you knew in high school and he had a six-pack and he's not playing anymore. So I don't care how you look. You have to have the talent, and you have to work at it. I mean, you have me and you have Tim Lincecum and you have CC (Sabathia). You just have to know how to do it. Everyone does it in their own way.

SN: How much do you appreciate what the Brewers' organization has done in terms of going for it now? They didn't deal you during the offseason, they acquired Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in December, and then they got Francisco Rodriguez during the Ail-Star break.

FIELDER: That's good. It shows me, as well as the team, that they are really trying to take advantage of this year. It feels good. But we can have all the players we want. We still have to do it, though.

SN: What's the clubhouse atmosphere like now, as opposed to this time last year?

FIELDER: There's definitely a lot more energy. There's not so many people waiting for the games to just fly by. We have something to play for now.

SN: The N.L. Central arguably will be the toughest division to win. What is it going to take for the Brewers to pull away?

FIELDER: I think we need to play at least .SOO on the road. At home we're good, and it's just a different feeling. We need to find some ofthat on the road. You're not going to have all your supreme swagger on the road because it's a different place, but we have to find a way to carry some ofthat confidence from home to the road.

SN: What do you think about what the Pirates have done this year?

FIELDER: It's awesome. They haven't been that good in a long time, and usually when you haven't been good and you come on, you finish second or third like we did before. But they come out and (spend time in) in first place. It's cool. They have some really good players. Now they're just putting it all together.

SN: Milwaukee is definitely a Packers town, but is it an underrated baseball city?

FIELDER: I don't know about that. I think it's underrated in terms of the people supporting their teams, I guess. They like baseball, but everybody knows the Packers come first. But they like supporting us.

SN: The Brewers had three players voted Ail-Star starters this year. That proves the fans obviously care about the team, right?

FIELDER: Yeah. They do. They care about us as a team, and they want to see us do well. And they've also seen us (Fielder, Ryan Braun and Rickie Weeks) grow up there.

SN: Is there a better 3-4 combination in the game than you and Ryan Braun?

FIELDER: Not right now, I don't think so. There are a lot of great 3-4s, but I don't think so.

SN: You've improved as an all-around hitter this season. What is that a testament to?

FIELDER: I've always started seasons slow, mostly in hitting home runs because I want to get that first one out of the way so quick. But this year I had a better start because I was trying to go the opposite way and be a hitter, drive in runs. That's really my job. That's what the team pays me to do, drive in runs. Home runs are good, but they are just another avenue to drive in the runs. I think that's what I'm trying to focus on. I know I have power, but power also helps because you can miss an inside pitch and jam yourself and still get it through.

SN: We are in the second straight "Year of the Pitcher." As a power hitter who is paid to produce runs, what are your feelings on the trend toward dominant pitching?

FIELDER: I think over the past couple of years, there are definitely a lot of good pitchers. The bullpens are better. You notice a lot more velocity. I think it's just that there are so many good players now. It's like the high school showcases where everyone is a star and is talented.

SN: Your position is incredibly deep. Which first basemen would you pay to see?

FIELDER: Joey Votto. Obviously, Albert (Pujols). And the guy from Atlanta, (Freddie) Freeman. I think he's going to be good. And Gaby Sanchez. I think he's like a baby Pujols.

SN: You got some flack for that bowling ball celebration against the Giants a couple years ago. Was that unfair?

FIELDER: Yeah, because I got flack, yet every time I turn on MLB Network, I see it. So which one is it? Is it good, or is it disrespecting the game? Even at home, it's on our Jumbotron before we go on the field. I don't think that people understand it was a team thing. No matter who hit it, it was going to happen. It was just because it was me. But, obviously, it's perfect that I hit it because then they can put it on me, I guess.

SN: Are you the bad guy, in general?

FIELDER: At times I can be the bad guy.

SN: Do you like that?

FIELDER: It's given to me at times without me asking. I think I'm just misunderstood at times.

SN: You play both sides of that fence, though. Sometimes it's a huge smile and the cameras love you, and other times it's, "Uh, oh. What's Prince going to do next?"

FIELDER: Yep. Exactly.

SN: Are you still a vegetarian?

FIELDER: Nope. No more ofthat anymore. It was OK, but as far as the schedule and all that and trying to eat like that, that's a lot of work and something you have to map out. I still eat good, though.

SN: You've been around the game your whole life. Who are guys you've enjoyed watching play?

FIELDER: Mo Vaughn, as far as hitters, was my favorite to watch. Ken Griffey Jr. as far as all-around. Those two are probably my favorites. I always liked them.

SN: What's the toughest part of being a player?

FIELDER: Just having to do it every day from spring training to the end. It's not easy. As a kid it's like, "Oh yeah, I want to play every day." Then you get here, and it really is every day.

SN: When it's all said and done, what do you want your career highlights column to say?

FIELDER: I want a World Series. That's it. I also just want to be known as a guy that showed up every day and played hard.