My first year in the big leagues, I made $17,000. It was easy to go out and get another $17,000 relief pitcher. I never worried about innings or pitches. I just pitched.

I feel like a pioneer with the split-fingered fastball. I was the first one to really throw it pretty much 100 percent of the time. It was a pitch that I had to have. If I didn't have it, I wouldn't have been in the big leagues.

That was a very aha moment. It was, 'I'm in the big leagues.'

You have to hit the fastball to play in the big leagues.

Gil's been in the big leagues awhile,

My first year in the big leagues was when he was with the Mariners. He's one of the game's greatest pitchers, but I don't get too excited over matchups and stuff like that.