I'm a tough guy, and I like pitching in tough games.

My dad always told me to play hard and know that the people you're competing with and against are working just as hard or harder. So don't let them out-work you.

I love pitching in front of big crowds and in huge stadiums.

Ever since I was a little kid, the last thing I wanted to do was lose. I hated losing. I still hate it. I guess you can see that when I'm out there.

When you lose velocity off of your fastball, one thing that suffers is your off-speed pitches - the action on your off-speed pitches. Once you lose arm speed, it takes away rotation from your off-speed pitches. The rotation is what gives them the sharpness and the nastiness.

One thing that I learned is this - once a Braves fan, always a Braves fan. No matter what. And as a player, that means more than you could understand.

Hitters are too big, too strong, and their bats are too quick. I have to go inside to have success.