My favorite pitch to hit is the hanging curveball. Usually if you just put your swing on it and it's hanging up there, there's a good chance it's going to go pretty far.

Religion is not the biggest part of my life. I'm always playing baseball. But it's certainly a part of it, and having a faith in something. I've always worn a cross, and it's been a part of my game. It's always there with me.

I think it's important to do things you enjoy off the field because, if you just focus on baseball, you can go crazy. It's such a tough game with a lot of failure, so for me to do things like this, it's fun. When you're playing, especially in Chicago, you're in front of the camera a lot anyway. I'm slowly getting used to it.

You shouldn't be playing the game if you don't think that the win will happen.

College was really good for me. It's where I did my growing up, learning how to live on my own and to be myself. That really helped. I've eased my way into everything since then, so it doesn't feel too crazy. It's just about being the same person, whether good things come my way or bad things come my way, and to enjoy the opportunities I have.