I think the changeup has become more popular recently by pitchers like Pedro Martinez and the success he had with it.
The secret of success in pitching lies in getting a job with the Yankees.
And then when I went to stay in '68, I can honestly say that I was not focused on my career and on what it took to be a major league pitcher and to be a starting pitcher.
Regardless of how long it took or what I had to go through to get there, I had visualizations of throwing no-hitters or throwing shutouts.
Hitters are too big, too strong, and their bats are too quick. I have to go inside to have success.
There's been a couple of guys who have gotten me. I used to say Adrian Gonzalez. He's a good lefty hitter; he's hit a few home runs off of me. They were a couple of mistakes, so if you make your pitches, you're more likely to have a better outcome.
I've been fortunate with the changeup. I've been able to throw it for strikes.
A pitcher's got to be good and he's got to be lucky to get a no hit game.
If I can execute pitches and keep the ball out of the middle of the plate, I know I can have success.
To be able to pitch in the postseason is great, and to be able to go out there and throw the ball well and help your team win is a great feeling.
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.
After I got that hit off Satchel (Paige), I knew I was ready for the big leagues.
Take a look at all of them: Marichal, Jenkins, Spahn - what do you think made them successful? They conditioned their arms by pitching more, not less, starting from when they signed their first contract.
Well I loved Little League; so all the memories are pretty fond but I broke my thumb. That wasn't a lot of fun. I think probably the first time I pitched [I started out as a first baseman] and the first game I pitched in Little League, I struck out 10 batters. I had a curve ball a little early [laughs]. You're not really supposed to have one when you're 12, but I did, so I first game I struck out 10 batters. That's possibly my fondest memory.
Regardless on winning the Cy Young, I have one goal that never changes, and that's to win every start.
Starting pitching will either lead you to the White House or the out house.
All I know is that if I continue to pitch well, good things will keep happening.
Bottom line is, you have to pitch. You want timely hits.
There's more to pitching than just striking guys out, but also it is a big reason why you can have success.
