They remember a tireless worker spending late hours in her chambers or on projects like the college course : A tough decision-maker who would pick apart any lawyer foolish enough to come to court unprepared ; a thoughtful jurist whose years as an aggressive prosecutor endeared her to law enforcement even as she developed a reputation as a social liberal ; and a child of the Bronx who maintained a heart for people from all walks of life as she ascended to the legal world 's loftiest positions . Friends recall Sotomayor as tireless , focused worker . ` ` Her hobby is people , '' says friend , former Columbia University professor . Critics call her ` ` prickly '' ; former aide says tough talk is good for the bench . Lifelong Yankees fan 's most high - profile publicly ended baseball strike .
Friends recall Sotomayor as tireless , focused worker . ` ` Her hobby is people , '' says friend , former Columbia University professor . Critics call her ` ` prickly '' ; former aide says tough talk is good for the bench . Lifelong Yankees fan 's most high - profile publicly ended baseball strike .