Barry Zito

I refuse to be molded into some stereotypical ballplayer that has no interests, really, no life, no depth, no intelligence.

I looked up to my father when I was 7 and 8. I believed it was my calling to be in the big leagues. I'd been raised by a family that always told me I could do anything I wanted.

Some people pray to a totem pole, some people pray to a sun, some people pray to a god. It all works for them. It all comes back to what you think.

I was this 5-7 pudgy kid in high school... I wasn't a popular kid. I was an outcast.

When someone becomes successful or rich and famous, people perceive that person as being different. But I'm the same guy I've always been.

I'm OK being the veteran, but I'm still just a kid.

Everyone focuses on the earthly state, but how cool might death be? I believe in spiritual rebirth, and I can't wait to experience that.

It's not like I'm some kind of veteran and there is this huge age gap. I identify with them more off the field. I need to set an example, which is great, and I look forward to doing just that.

Meyer and I have a bit in common because we're both left-handed. I think it's great that he seeks out that advice because he's not too cool or too uncomfortable to ask for it.

Big league defense is going to get outs most times.

I view my pitching on how confident I was out there, period. And if I lose that confidence, I can become a prisoner of my own mind.