• Jake broke both of his ankles twice playing high school sports.
• The year the Padres drafted Jake in the 15th round, they had six first-round picks. Only one—Mike Bynum—saw any major league time.
• Jake wanted to wear his father’s high school number, 22, but it was already taken. He chose 44 instead.
• In May of 2006, Jake set a franchise records with 16 strikeouts in a game. He pitched seven innings and lost to the Atlanta Braves.
• Jake is the youngest San Diego hurler to appear in an All-Star Game.
• Jake was San Diego’s first ERA champion since Randy Jones in 1975. He was the youngest ERA champion since Dwight Gooden.
• Jake gave up Barry Bonds’ 700th home run. But he also stopped the slugger’s seven-game home run streak in 2003.
• In 2004, Jake became the first San Diego starter to be named Pitcher of the Month since Andy Hawkins in 1985. He was honored again in 2005.
• Jake was the first pitcher to throw a shutout in RFK Stadium since Mickey Lolich in 1971.
• Jake , Andy Benes and Kevin Brown are the only San Diego starters to average a strikeout an inning over the course of a season.
• When Jake bats, the Padres play the Dukes of Hazard theme song over the PA.
• During his fabulous 2004 campaign, the Padres rewrote Jake’s contract and gave him a four-year, $15 million deal. When agent Scott Boras suggested he hold out during the winter, Jake fired him.
• Jake’s younger brother, Luke, was a star catcher in high school. He led St. Paul to the state championship in 2003 and accepted a scholarship to the University of South Alabama. He hopes to catch for his brother in the majors one day.
• Jake met his wife, Katie, in high school. They were married at 19 and now have two children, Jake II and Wyatt.
• Jake owns a home in Mobile where he and Katie spend the winters. He also owns a family retreat about two hours north in Camden.

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