“When you face Barry, you know you have to keep the game close.”
—Angels pitcher Aaron Sele

“He’s your typical lefthander.”
—Former teammate Jason Giambi

“He is Aristotle with a fastball.”
—Sportswriter Steve DiMeglio

“His curve ball...it jelly-legs you.”
—All-Star Jim Thome

““He’s a smart person who wants to get smarter. And really, how many people can you say that about?”
—Former teammate Erik Hiljus

“He sees himself as one of the best pitchers in the game.”
—Pitching coach Rick Peterson

"He's constantly bombarding himself with the mental part of the game. Everybody's trying to get a mental edge, but he takes it to another level."
—Former teammate Time Hudson

"He throws strikes and dares you to hit it, and because you have to wait so long for that curve, it makes his fastball that much faster."
—Yankees manager Joe Torre

“I look forward to him leading this staff.”
—Giants manager Bruce Bochy

“Look at his track record. He hasn't missed a start in the past six years.”
—Giants Owner Peter Magowan