I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I was a thrower. I think I'm more of a pitcher now.
The reason I think I'm a good pitcher is I locate my fastball and I change speeds. Period. That's what you do to pitch. That's what pitchers have to do to win games.
In the minor leagues, previous to 2008, I took a lot of pitches. I prided myself on on-base percentage. I made sure that I made the pitcher work.
Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down. It made me more determined. I wouldn't let that pitcher get me out. They say you can't hit if you're on your back, but I didn't hit on my back. I got up.
After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.
Generally in the Little League you're up against a good pitcher who throws like hell. What does the coach say? Get a walk. Isn't that beautiful way to learn to hit? For four years you stand up there looking for a walk.
But because I could throw so hard when I got to college they made me a pitcher.
I always had the attitude that I wanted to throw a no-hitter every game.
I'm not really a pitcher; I just play one in the movies.
In my own case I have frequently faced the pitcher when I had no desire whatever to hit. I wanted to get a base on balls.