I have no agenda. I'll play anywhere. All I need is a reason to believe that it's a good place for me and that I'm wanted, and I'm coming.

I need to have people doubting me, because that's when you dig deep and find out what you're made of.

My eyesight is not good. You guys will see, in games you'll watch, I will have times where I don't see the catcher very well, especially in low-light conditions. I can get to about 20/40. That's about as good as they can get me with the stigmatisms and stuff I have going on.

Any city that's worth a dang certainly has a musical heartbeat, a culture, and a scene that can stand on its own.

In San Diego, I saw Keith Urban perform, and I've seen a lot of acts, and he's better than anybody I've seen.

If you talk with a Southern accent, it's perceived as though you are slow. That's not the case. I've met just as many dumb people who talk without an accent as with.

I remember, as a kid, my grandfather would grab my temples and say, 'You've got to focus, Jake. You've got to focus.'

When you get to the big leagues, the talent pool is on such a level playing field, you have to find a way to separate yourself from incredibly talented guys. Especially when you go through the injuries that I've had, you come back, and you might not physically be able to do some of the things you used to do.

Be aggressive... That's the type of pitcher I am. I go as hard as I can for as long as I can and see where the cards fall.

I certainly think that Southerners are tough, and I take pride in that.