Justin Verlander Quotations

When I came into baseball, I had one goal for my career - the Hall of Fame.

Obviously, the first time out, I'm trying to make an impression. It's a little unnerving, so I had to battle through that a little bit. All and all, I think I did OK.

I was really trying to get a ground-ball double play. But once I got to two strikes, my mentality changed over to try to punch these guys out.

I felt like I was in a groove. Obviously, the four runs did help. It gave me a cushion there. But I really feel that having those innings in Spring Training helped me, and I feel a little bit more at ease this year.

Growing up, I played 'Ken Griffey, Jr. Baseball' and just whatever I could get my hands on. When I was really young, I was a big fan of Mario and that type of stuff. I still play videogames now, so it was really cool for me to be able to play as myself on '2K6' or '2K7,' I believe it was, when I was a rookie.

For me, seeing the progression of video games and consoles - whether it be PlayStation, Xbox, or whatever - I think just seeing how good they've gotten from the days when I first started playing is just amazing.

From the get-go, I didn't have what I had last time, or my good stuff in general. I knew it was going to be a rough day, and I tried to battle through it.

When he was pitching in Oakland last week, he'd talk to me between a few of the innings. I remember sitting there, thinking, 'He's in the middle of the game. He's taking the time to explain to me what he's doing in certain situations and why.' It was pretty cool.

I think video games are a huge part of our society now. Having kids play baseball video games helps them understand and love the game. It could actually push them to get out there and play the game for real. That's great for the sport.

I went to grab it, and I didn't grab it right. I kinda threw it. It was a wonder it even made it halfway there.

People in real life don't get ballplayers' humor, the way we talk in the clubhouse.

I was glad to get that double play. Whether I settled down or not, that's a different question.

It doesn't really matter who's (the opposing pitcher). If I go out and do what I'm supposed to do, things take care of themselves.

I'm hoping we can both learn a lot from each other and improve.

That's the way I pitched all last year, using the off-speed to set it up a little bit more. I felt like sometimes I get into a habit of throwing too many fastballs and just relying on that, whereas I'm sure I could throw a lot more off-speed stuff for strikes.

We've got a bunch of young, solid pitchers out there that can all pitch at the major league level. So I think it's a great sign for the organization and for the Tigers in the future. As far as being in the middle of it, it's fun.

We talk all the time. There is that age difference, but I'd like to consider us friends. He's a great guy. If he's got things to tell me, I'm definitely going to listen.

I've always been able to control myself. If I go back down and the Tigers find something I have to work on, then hopefully I'll go back and show them that I can do what they want me to do up here.

A little better. A little smoother, a little bit less nervous this time out. It's only my second time; there's a lot of stuff to work on.

I tried to guide it in there and I guided it right down the middle of the plate. If there's one pitch I'd like back it's that one. That was the biggest pitch of the game.

It's great for another young guy, another good pitcher to match up against. But like I've said many times, it doesn't really matter who's on the other mound. I'm focused on what I can do.

It's my first big league win and you can't beat that. I'm kind of elated to tell you the truth. I wanted to continue the streak of our starting pitchers. That's 5-for-5 right there.

I kept thinking, 'hold off, rain.' I was feeling good and I wanted to get some innings under my belt.

I'm trying to win that spot and I'm fighting hard for it. But at the same time, I have to just let it happen because it's not my decision to make.

I'm trying to win that spot and I'm fighting hard for it.

I'm more of a feel pitcher. If something's wrong, I don't watch a video. I go throw in the bull pen until it feels right.

I'm progressing like I should be. I felt better today than I did the time before, and I felt better then than I did my first (start).

I had no other interests but baseball because I never thought I'd not make it. No. Never.

I really like the iPad. I think that's pretty cool.

Honestly, I wouldn't mind having another crack at him. I'm sure I'll get another opportunity, hopefully.

I don't think anybody's goal is to be mediocre. I think everybody should want to be the best. I've always felt that way. I want to be at the best at everything I do.

All I can remember is sitting on the bench in a cold rain. All year long. Every day, it was raining. It just didn't work out.

The first one, I think, was the biggest pitch of the game.

The Detroit fans treated me great. I was glad to see they knew my name.

When an artist wants to paint a painting, they have all those things in their head that they want to portray on a canvas. It's the same thing when I'm pitching. I have all these thoughts going through my head about how I want to pitch: which pitch I want to throw here, and why do I want to throw it?

I'm a power guy. Good fastball. A knuckle curve, which I can throw for strikes. A changeup which sinks down and away from lefties and I can also throw for strikes.

I want to show that I can pitch well and get along with the guys in the locker room.'

I kind of realized I couldn't blow the ball by everybody. In high school I could do that, but now it's not going to work. I need to pitch.'

I like to challenge hitters with a 'Here it is, hit it,' mentality. It's definitely a big part of my game, especially when I get in situations where I need it. I usually save a little bit so it's there for me.

I use high velocity to keep hitters off balance.

I am an emotional pitcher, but I can control it. When I was in high school, I was a little immature and I let my emotions get the best of me.

I am always going to be working on location, even if I have a 20-year career. Talk to me in 15 years and I will still be working on location. It's something I can always do better. Right now, it's not nearly where it could be, so it gives me something to work on every day.

To hit 100 miles per hour, that's something. I couldn't believe it when I first saw it, but it's something I can do and think about.

I'm hoping to learn something new every day. It sounds corny, but I really do come in here every day, listening and talking with the veteran guys and seeing what I can absorb.

If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I was going to be a shoo-in for the Cy Young, I would have been absolutely ecstatic and amazed.

I think that a starting pitcher has to do something special to be as valuable or more so than a position player.

The only thing I can control is how well I pitch.

If you expect greatness, greatness shouldn't surprise you.

All I know is that if I continue to pitch well, good things will keep happening.