I hadn't focused on mechanics since I signed professionally.

I can relate to anyone. I can hang out with stoners, skaters, surfers, stockbrokers, lawyers, athletes, rappers. I feel I can hang out with any group of people and find common ground to talk with them.

I need to have perspective. That's one of the big things former players told me, to not try to live up to anything, just live up to yourself.

I view my pitching on how confident I was out there, period. And if I lose that confidence, I can become a prisoner of my own mind.

When I'm doing well, it's like I'm in a nice little ballet. Everything is going slow all around me. It's very peaceful.

I'm not trying to be cocky, but I set such a high standard for myself. I'm not happy when I pitch seven innings and give up two runs and get a win.

I was this 5-7 pudgy kid in high school... I wasn't a popular kid. I was an outcast.