Sooner or later you learn that you belong in the big leagues, and that makes you calm down

I can't recall too much about pitching, but I do remember that I was anxious to get it over with. I just wanted to get that first game over with and go from there.

When I started finishing games and coming off the field shaking hands, it was a beautiful thing. I mean, you start seeing that you're an important part of the team.

You aren't going to stick around long with just two pitches

I had never been to the playoffs, and it was exciting. The fans went through the roof. They were excited about the whole team. It was great to be traded to a city like Chicago, which was a lot like Boston.

It took me a few years to realize that throwing harder wasn't always better.

I was in good control of my body, and I kept my head still.