Dontrelle Willis, Marlins Pitcher

	Dontrelle Willis, Marlins Pitcher Brian Smith/Corbis-Outline

As told to Ben Reiter

On being 24 and having six younger teammates

I have a good time with these younger guys. They tend to have more enthusiasm. But it's not like I'm the wise owl or anything. I'm still learning myself. If they're asking me for advice, we're in trouble.

On lessons from his mom, Joyce

She told me to work hard so you don't have regrets. Do the best you can. She did the best she could to play the mother and father role because my father wasn't around. My mother was a welder in Oakland. She took pride in how tough it was and in being the only woman in the job. She worked hard, and now she has a hot position in the ironworkers' union. She has her own office and more cellphones than I do. She wears a suit. I'm real proud of her.

On his grandma, Naomi

Grandma was the ace -- the best thing that ever happened to me. She's tough, man, a tough lady. When I was 10, we had this beige wall outside. I spray-painted a strike zone on it -- a little X, about belt high. My friends and I started playing, and I had red paint all over my arms, so it's not like I could lie. It was one of the worst beatings I ever got from my grandma. Legendary. She tried to whip everybody that was part of it, all six of us. I think that paint's still up there.

On playing baseball video games

I'm the worst of all time. I play against my cousins who are 12 and 13, and they beat the brakes off me. They play as me, they know how to use me, and I can't get a hit off myself.

On meeting Shaq

Great dude. Dwyane Wade, too. They seem bigger than life on TV, but when you meet them they're down to earth, as happy to see you as you are to see them. They're rooting for you. Same as [the Dolphins'] Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. I met them, and I had to control myself and be cool and not be someone that's trying to get an autograph.

On his love life

I'm not on the market. I've got a girl, but I keep that under wraps because she's shy. I don't think she likes it when people give her a hard time about me.

On making $4.35 million this year

I never thought I'd be in this situation. When you see the check, it's a whole bunch of numbers, and you don't know the magnitude of that type of money. I just count my blessings. I haven't thought of anything that big to buy. Maybe Jet Skis. I have a condo near the water.

On the Marlins' uncertain status

This is a rare situation, with the team not sure if it's going to stay. But I love South Florida. I love my teammates. I won the World Series in South Florida, so I have some great memories.

On his name

A lot of times I meet people and they think my name is Don Trelle. Like, Mr. Trelle. I have to say, nah, it's Dontrelle Willis.

WILLIS, WHO WENT 22-10 LAST YEAR, IS 1-3 FOR THE LAST-PLACE MARLINS.

Issue date: May 15, 2006