The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the Yankees’ center fielder, through interpreter Ray Negron.
Q: The rivalry with the Red Sox?
A: It’s life and death.
Q: Do you like that?
A: I love the emotion of it all.
Q: Do you hate the Red Sox?
A: They’re just my favorite team to beat (smiles).
Q: Is this the best Yankees team you’ve played on?
A: By far.
Q: Is this Yankee team ready to win a World Series?
A: We’re preparing, and Joe (Girardi) is getting us ready.
Q: Do you like this team’s chances?
A: We’re gonna kick butt every day, and I love our chances.
Q: Your secret to being a clutch hitter?
A: Deep concentration. . . . I just get into a deep mental trip, which helps me go to where I need to go.
Q: You don’t fear failure?
A: No, I do not fear failure.
Q: The low point of last season?
A: When they sent me down to the minor leagues.
Q: What were your emotions when that happened?
A: Very sad, but I knew that I would return.
Q: What were your emotions when Brett Gardner won the center field job in spring training?
A: Happy for him, sad for me — but, I was still a Yankee, and that means more than anything.
Q: What did Girardi tell you?
A: Get ready . . . prepare . . . ’cause you’re gonna play a big role in us winning.
Q: What is it like playing center field at Yankee Stadium, after DiMaggio and Mantle and Bernie Williams?
A: It makes me want to be like them.
Q: The main reason for your success this season?
A: Joe Girardi. Joe has just given me the confidence that I needed to do what I have to do.
Q: Favorite Yankee moment?
A: The walk-off home run against Oakland (April 22).
Q: Your emotions when you touched home plate?
A: Great jubilation, touching the plate and knowing that I had helped our club win that ballgame, and knowing that they were proud of me.
Q: Do you have the ball?
A: Yes, I do.
Q: What other balls have you kept?
A: The cycle ball (Aug. 2 at White Sox), and one that Mariano gave me for his 500th save (June 28 at Mets).
Q: Did you know you needed a triple for the cycle?
A: I did not try to hit a triple, but I knew that I needed a triple.
Q: Your emotions when you completed the cycle?
A: To see the excitement in the other guys’ faces, almost like you pitched a no-hitter.
Q: Getting pied in the face by A.J. Burnett?
A: It’s a compliment.
Q: Best thing about being a Yankee?
A: Playing with Alex and Jeter and Cano.
Q: Why is Robinson Cano your best friend?
A: Always helping me, always with me, always pushes for me, and we know each other a long time.
Q: What do you like about Yankee fans?
A: They just love to win, and it influences me.
Q: What do you remember about the (June 6, 2006) catch when you stole a home run from Manny Ramirez?
A: The appreciation of the fans.
Q: Why were you able to catch it?
A: Because I was wearing my Nikes (smiles). I knew where the wall was and I was able to judge it.
Q: What is Alex Rodriguez like?
A: Alex Rodriguez is a tremendous guy . . . he’s a caring guy . . . he’s a guy that gives you his soul. And he’s a lot like Mariano — he cares.
Q: Your 3-year-old son Melky Jr.?
A: He’s in the Dominican Republic, and he’s just like me.
Q: Is he a big baseball fan?
A: Big-time.
Q: Would you want him to be a baseball player?
A: I would like that.
Q: Do you plan on getting married someday?
A: Right now, I’m just concentrating on winning, but someday, yes.
Q: Biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
A: Getting to the major leagues.
Q: In what way?
A: When you’re as poor as me, how could you think that it was gonna be that easy?
Q: I know you played using a rock for a ball. Can you give me an example of how poor you were?
A: They always couldn’t give me what I needed . . . and I really don’t like talking about this . . . it’s difficult.
Q: Why did you change from No. 28 to 53?
A: I had a lot of respect for Bobby Abreu, but it was a number that coincidentally I’ve always liked.
Q: Favorite childhood memory?
A: My birthday when I was 5 years old — the first one I got to celebrate.
Q: Were there things you wanted
as a child badly that you couldn’t have?
A: There were many times when I didn’t get baseball equipment and I felt bad about that.
Q: Your biggest influence growing up?
A: My mother (Teresa).
Q: Describe your mother.
A: Loving, wonderful, caring.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: Sammy Sosa.
Q: Why?
A: Countryman who was doing great.
Q: Favorite NYC things?
A: Walking the streets of downtown, seeing all the flashing lights and seeing the faces of the people.
Q: Superstitions?
A: I just believe in God.
Q: Favorite car?
A: Range Rover.
Q: Hobbies?
A: Watching Spanish TV.
Q: Four dinner guests?
A: Michael Jordan; The Boss; Girardi; Cano.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Scarface.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Antonio Banderas.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jennifer Lopez.
Q: Favorite singer?
A: Wisin and Yandel.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Rice and beans and any kind of meat.
Q: Favorite restaurant?
A: El Nuevo Caridad.
Q: Tell me about your upcoming acting debut in “Keeper of the Pinstripes.”
A: I’m taking what happened to me in spring training and using it as a complete positive. . . . The way Joe Girardi helped me, I’m
. . . able to help a young man (in the movie).
Q: Will you be a good actor?
A: We’re gonna find out (smiles).
Q: What do you remember about the first time you put on the Yankee uniform?
A: Very nervous . . . because I knew how special that uniform is. Putting that on gave me the dream.
Q: What would you want Yankee fans to say about you when you’re retired?
A: That I was a good baseball player . . . and a good guy.
