Scrappy, hustling, hard-nosed and unrelenting, David Eckstein went from anonymity to the top of the baseball world last season when Anaheim won the World Series. The Angels' shortstop and leadoff man earned a few fans along the way, too, including Barry Bonds. In between interviews and signing autographs, Eckstein sat down with SI.com's John Donovan at the Angels' spring training home at Tempe Diablo Stadium recently for this edition of 10 Questions.

Q: You're a popular guy. How come?

A: I have no idea. To be honest with you, I have no idea. It's definitely nice, but I don't know. Because I'm so short? But I don't know. I understand that the fans are what makes this game, and I try to, anytime I have the opportunity, to sign as much as I can and talk to fans. I think that's one of the reasons they might like me. What I've heard from a lot of people is, because I am so short, that people can relate to me. They can say, "Hey my kid can go out there and play if he can play." I've heard that a lot.

Q: Would you rather be a little more anonymous?

A: I like winning championships. And with winning championships, you're going to get a little more popularity. But, definitely, you'd like to be a little more anonymous. I'm from a small town where you're not looking for the limelight, you're not looking to be in the spotlight. So it's kind of unusual.

Q: Let's talk about your style. What is it with your throwing motion?

A: I can't watch myself throw. I hate it. I think it looks so bad. It's disgusting. But that's the only way I know how to throw. When I was growing up, my brother tried to make me change, but I cant throw any other way. But, no I hate it. It looks like a total push. I don't take the right step. If I'm throwing to first base, I'm stepping over here instead of over there. I'm not even stepping in the right direction that everybody else does. It's just … I never watched myself until I got into college, so I never knew that I looked that bad. By that time, I just said the heck with it.

Q: People talk about your shortness and your arm and all that but, really, you have some skills don't you?

A: Yeah. Well, there is … I mean … I feel confident when I play the game. I feel like I can play this game. I have been blessed with some natural skills. I think it's just the frame that I come in that gives everybody that idea.

Q: Does it bother you that people tend to overlook that and don't talk about your skills?

A: I want to hear stuff like "He gets everything out of his ability," and I like that comment. I take that as a compliment.

Q: But you do have some skills. Right?

A: I have some. Yeah. I have some.

Q: You've become friends with Barry Bonds. How did that come about?

A: Over in [a postseason tour of] Japan. He came up and congratulated me, said he enjoyed watching me play, and everything like that. It started like that. He was very nice to me over in Japan. My brother was over there, he was very nice to both of us the whole time. Then we had a dinner in New York, and he was there and my parents were there, and he came up and talked to my parents.

Q: Would you have done that with him?

A: Anybody that knows me … no. I'm not the type of person that wants to be bugging people, and he's one of the best in the game. He has so many people trying to take his time up. I was not going to go up to him, even though I would like to. I didn't want to bug him. The other thing is, I've only had two years in the big leagues. It's a respect thing. I haven't done anything. And he's one of the best players in the game. I was just happy he came up and talked to me. He's paid me some very nice compliments.

Q: You get hit by a lot of pitches. Do you lean in to a pitch once in a while just to get on base?

A: Where I stand on the plate, I can't give up an inch. I am right there. I can see spin, but I usually read plains. And so when that fastball's in, I'm usually waiting for it to break. And if it's not breaking, then I'm getting hit. But, no, I try to get out of the way. Believe me. That's why I don't wear any protection, 'cause I don't want pitchers thinking that's what I'm going up there trying to do. If I did, I think I'd get hit a lot more in a lot worse places.

Q: OK, finally, back to your popularity: Do you have any groupies?

A: I have my fan club back at home. But, no I don't have any groupies. I don't want any. I want a good girl. I don't want a groupie.