The reality is that my stepfather was like a father to me and watching him die from a sudden heart attack was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through.

I had to will my way through that game. Sometimes, it takes more than talent or more than a 95-mile-an-hour fastball. You have to will it.

The student body was huge at UT and you had to mature pretty quick, very quick actually. I enjoyed it and it helped me a lot in my life in general - not only in the classroom but on the baseball field as well.

Some of my finest memories are from my time at the University of Texas. College baseball, I love it.

The tradition you have at the University of Texas is like no other. It helped me in the future where I got to play in 2 cities that were rich in tradition.

I was pitching on all adrenaline and challenging them. I was throwing the ball right down the heart of the plate.

Every time I toe the rubber, it's no different for me than it was in the World Series.