Dontrelle Willis
On being 24 andhaving six younger teammates
I have a goodtime with these younger guys. They tend to have more enthusiasm. But it's notlike I'm the wise owl or anything. I'm still learning myself. If they're askingme for advice, we're in trouble.
On lessons fromhis mom, Joyce
She told me towork hard so you don't have regrets. Do the best you can. She did the best shecould to play the mother and father role because my father wasn't around. Mymother was a welder in Oakland. She took pride in how tough it was and in beingthe only woman in the job. She worked hard, and now she has a hot position inthe 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 theace--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 onit--a little X, about belt high. My friends and I started playing, and I hadred paint all over my arms, so it's not like I could lie. It was one of theworst beatings I ever got from my grandma. Legendary. She tried to whipeverybody that was part of it, all six of us. I think that paint's still upthere.
On playingbaseball video games
I'm the worst ofall time. I play against my cousins who are 12 and 13, and they beat the brakesoff me. They play as me, they know how to use me, and I can't get a hit offmyself.
On meetingShaq
Great dude.Dwyane Wade, too. They seem bigger than life on TV, but when you meet themthey're down to earth, as happy to see you as you are to see them. They'rerooting for you. Same as [the Dolphins'] Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. I metthem, and I had to control myself and be cool and not be someone that's tryingto get an autograph.
On his lovelife
I'm not on themarket. I've got a girl, but I keep that under wraps because she's shy. I don'tthink she likes it when people give her a hard time about me.
On making $4.35million this year
I never thoughtI'd be in this situation. When you see the check, it's a whole bunch ofnumbers, and you don't know the magnitude of that type of money. I just countmy blessings. I haven't thought of anything that big to buy. Maybe Jet Skis. Ihave a condo near the water.
On the Marlins'uncertain status
This is a raresituation, with the team not sure if it's going to stay. But I love SouthFlorida. I love my teammates. I won the World Series in South Florida, so Ihave some great memories.
On his name
A lot of times Imeet people and they think my name is Don Trelle. Like, Mr. Trelle. I have tosay, nah, it's Dontrelle Willis.
WILLIS, WHO WENT22-10 LAST YEAR, IS 1-3 FOR THE LAST-PLACE MARLINS.
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PHOTO
Photograph by Brian Smith/Corbis Outline