Brady Clark finally got his chance to play every day in the big leagues at 31. He has made the most of it as the Brewers center fielder this season.

Clark hit over .300 in the first couple months of the season, has a fine on-base percentage as the leadoff man and has made some great plays in center.

The years of waiting, hoping and playing hard when he got the chance have made Clark somewhat of a philosopher about baseball and life in general.

He shared some of that philosophy in this latest Milwaukee Talks.

OMC: Are you preparing any differently this season as a starter?

BC: I have always come to the ballpark every day planning to be in the starting lineup until I see different. So, it's no different this season.

OMC: You had a lot of people doubt you, didn't you?

BC: That's been the story of my whole career. I never really had been given a true chance until I got here. There were a lot of naysayers out there. But, it hasn't stopped me.

OMC: As you look back, are you disappointed it took you so long to get this shot?

BC: I'm a believer in things happening for a reason. You can only control what you can control. I was with the Reds. They traded me to the Mets. The Mets put me on waivers, and here I am with Milwaukee. Doug Melvin took a chance and picked me up on waivers. All this is out of my control. But, I believed it happened for a reason.

OMC: Did you ever doubt yourself along the way?

BC: I always believed in my capabilities. I'm a guy who has to work hard to make it. I don't have the most natural talent, but I know what I can do and can't do. I don't want to ever look back on my career and say, 'What if I had done that or this, or played a little harder?' I did everything I could. I worked my butt off. I have no regrets.

OMC: It sounds like you have a definite approach to the game?

BC: It's just not in baseball. I'm a believer, not only here on the ball field, but that's how I live my life. I live my life to the fullest. Again, if you do that, you have no regrets.

OMC: You're in center this season after seeing time in left and right the last couple years. Does it matter?

BC: I'm comfortable in all three, however, I do think center is the easiest. You have a better angle, a better read of the ball off the bat. You don't get as many wicked, slicing, hooking balls in center.

OMC: You've also been leading off. How's that worked out?

BC: I led off a few times in the minor leagues. I'm not the typical speedster, however, I've had a knack for getting on base. I think that's what you want in a leadoff guy, a guy who is going to get on base for you and put together a quality at-bat.

OMC: You replaced Scott Podsednik in center. You two actually have somewhat similar backgrounds, don't you?

BC: In some ways, our backgrounds are similar. Scotty and I also are good friends. It was tough to see him go. I wish him the best in Chicago and in his future. Hopefully, the trade works out for both of us.

OMC: Do you have any special feeling for the Brewers because they have given you the chance to start?

BC: I appreciate the chance. I want to make every effort to make the most of it and help this team continue to build and improve.

- Portions of this interview are featured in an article about Clark in "Between the Lines," the Brewers' magazine sold at Miller Park.