NL DIVISION SERIES: MARLINS v GIANTS

October 3, 2003

Dontrelle Willis

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I mean, it was good for me to go out there and get playoff experience, get some good hitters. I think everyone's a little more focused as far as the hitters in the playoffs. So it was good to go out there and just go against a great team in their opposing stadium.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: This is a blessing, you know, just coming from so far away, being able to play against a team I looked up against. You know, it's just like me facing Oakland, I just got to go out there, just check my emotions, calm myself down, just go out there and try to throw strikes.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: The St. Louis playoff games. I can remember one, Santiago hit a home run in I think the eighth or the ninth, I can't remember, and then another one.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Not necessarily harder. I just had to get ready a little faster. You know, you never know, you know, especially if someone gets early contact, before you have to face someone, you kind of have to be ready for the batter you're supposed to face. So I just had to get ready faster.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Yes and no. He's a great hitter and he'll make adjustments to the opposing pitcher, you know, that's why he's had so much success. But in that situation, you know, it was good to get a lead out because, you know, in that stadium, they're looking, you know, to start something, maybe get a walk, start a rally, what have you. It was good to at least retire one guy.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: No, not at all. Like I said before, I'll just try to go out there and take it as another start and just try to be as consistent as I can.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Well, you're going to have to ask me about that tomorrow. You know, I just -- I just want to go out there and to take it as another game, even though there's a lot at stake, obviously, every game. So, you know, hopefully tomorrow I go out there just prepared to go to battle.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: On Wednesday, I was just focused on, just like I said before, you know, stopping the really, you know, even though they're looking to get somebody on, try to cause havoc. I just wanted to focus on just getting the lead out. And tomorrow hopefully it's the same way. Hopefully I just want to go out there and kind of just downplay everything and kind of just try to execute each pitch.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I think it's awesome. I think South Florida deserves it. And I never experienced anything like it, so I'm looking forward to tonight, you know, seeing the atmosphere, how electric it's going to be.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: No, because you never dream of being in a situation like this. As a kid, you just want to pitch in a big-league game, you know, let alone post-season. You know, that's something I never dreamed of personally. But now it's a reality and I'm just going to have fun with it.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Well, you know, I'm just -- me personally, I just worry about each game. You know, you never want to look ahead, especially against a team like this, you know, of this caliber. You just want to take one out at a time, you know, and hopefully we're on top at the end of the day.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Top row, you know, third deck. But in a playoff game, they're all decent. You know, just being in that atmosphere.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I didn't. Someone hooked me up with those tickets, so...

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I hope so. You know, hope you can just inspire somebody, you know, try to do something positive, no matter if you do well or not.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I'm from the East Bay, you know, so I was more of an A's fan. But, you know, when they made it to the World Series and played Anaheim, I was a Giants fan. You know, I'm always a Bay Area kid. So, you know, whatever circumstances, whoever goes the farthest, you know.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Well, you know what, it was the middle of the series. I was kind of just like, you know, kind of split in half just because, you know, it was a great series. You know, to win it on a base hit, I just remember the base hit. I don't remember who was on the team and what have you. But, you know, I was a Giants fan then, too.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Yeah. Dave Stewart, always admired him just because of his mound presence. And basically how he took the ball every time and just tried to win for his team regardless. He just kept getting after it. And off the field, he was a soft-spoken guy but he carried himself like a professional.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I don't necessarily think anybody can handle him. You know, so I just want to just try to do the best I can, just containing him. You know, he's one of the best players in the history of the game. So you can't necessarily handle someone of that caliber, you know. So I guess that's just a game-time decision.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Not really. They're just happy I got in the game. You know, they weren't expecting me really to get in the game because me starting Game 4. So they're just happy I was able to play, you know, in the stadium. Everybody got to enjoy watching me and stuff.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: I'm in the post-season. You know, I have to worry about, you know, doing the best I can for the team, you know, for this team right here. That's something that's decided on you guys. You know, if you guys feel I deserve the award, then I'll get it, if not, then I won't. You know, that's as far as it goes.

DONTRELLE WILLIS: Thank you.