Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Willis
Cincinnati Reds – No. 50
Pitcher
Born: (1982-01-12) January 12, 1982 Oakland, California
Bats: Left Throws: Left
debut
May 9, 2003, for the Florida Marlins
Career statistics (through 2010 season)
Win–Loss record	71–63
Earned run average	4.12
Strikeouts	839
Teams
Florida Marlins (2003–2007) Detroit Tigers (2008–2010) Arizona Diamondbacks (2010) Cincinnati Reds (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
NL Rookie of the Year Award (2003) 2× All-Star selection (2003, 2005) World Series Champion (2003) Led NL in wins (2005)

Dontrelle Wayne Willis (born January 12, 1982), nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter.

Baseball career

Willis attended Encinal High School in Alameda, California, where he played baseball for four years. He is the son of Clinton Ostah, a former minor league player in the 1970s. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.

Florida Marlins

Willis with the Marlins in 2007.

On March 27, 2002, the Cubs traded Willis (then a minor leaguer), fellow pitchers Julián Tavárez and José Cueto, and catcher Ryan Jorgensen to the Florida Marlins, in exchange for pitchers Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca.

In 2003, Willis was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He went 14–6 with a 3.30 earned run average in 27 starts after earning a call-up from the Double-A Carolina Mudcats. During the postseason, Willis showcased his remarkable (for a pitcher) hitting ability by going 3-for-3 with a triple while scoring a run during Game 4 of the 2003 National League Division Series, which the Marlins won 7–6 over the San Francisco Giants, the team that first drafted him, to advance to the NL Championship Series. The Marlins then went on to defeat the New York Yankees in the 2003 World Series.

In 2005, Willis became the first pitcher in Florida Marlins history to win 20 games and the 13th black pitcher to win 20 games. He led the major leagues with 22 wins and five shutouts while posting a 2.63 ERA.

On September 20, 2006, Willis pitched 8⅓ innings with four strikeouts and also became the first pitcher in Marlins history with a multiple-home run game.

On January 15, 2007, Willis signed a one-year contract with the Marlins for $6.45 million, avoiding salary arbitration.

Detroit Tigers

Willis throwing for the Tigers in 2009.

On December 5, 2007, the Marlins traded Willis along with fellow All-Star Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers for Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo, Eulogio de la Cruz, Dallas Trahern and Burke Badenhop. Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski then signed Willis to a 3-year, $29 million contract extension two weeks later.

In a start against the Chicago White Sox, Willis injured his left knee and departed the game before even recording an out. Placed on the disabled list the next day, Willis had walked nine batters while striking out none in his first two outings. Command of his pitches became a trouble spot, and later in the season, Tiger manager Jim Leyland pitched him in relief for the first time, with little success. He was placed back into the rotation on June 3, 2008 to start in a loss against the Oakland Athletics.

On June 10, 2008, Willis was sent down to Single-A Lakeland, a day after a start in which he gave up eight earned runs and five base on balls in 1⅓ innings pitched against the Cleveland Indians. Though Willis had enough service time in the major leagues to require his consent prior to the send-down, he agreed, saying he needed to work on his control.

Willis was called back to the Tigers in time for the roster expansion on September 1, 2008. He made three starts, recording a loss and two no-decisions.

Willis was placed on the 15-day disabled list in March 2009 for an anxiety disorder after a blood test showed something of concern; he began a treatment regimen aimed at addressing the condition. Willis was taken off the disabled list and placed on the active roster May 13, 2009, when he made his first start of the 2009 season. Willis made seven starts after returning, with poor results, before being returned to the disabled list on June 19 with the same anxiety issue.

On April 8, 2010, Willis started against the Kansas City Royals, giving the Tigers six innings and recording a no-decision. He gave up two earned runs, walking two and striking out four.

On May 30, 2010, Willis was designated for assignment by the Tigers.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Willis in the bullpen during his return to Comerica Park.

On June 1, 2010, Willis was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for starting pitcher Billy Buckner.

He changed back to his former uniform number 35, which he wore for the Marlins. In his Diamondback debut, he pitched six scoreless innings with four walks and three strikeouts.

Willis pitched four innings, giving up two runs and three hits, walking six batters on June 10. During the second inning, he cracked a finger nail and after the fourth inning, he was removed from the game due to the pain on the fingernail.

On July 4, 2010 Willis was designated for assignment and subsequently released.

San Francisco Giants

On July 15, 2010, Willis was signed to a minor league contract by San Francisco—and was pitching for the Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League. On November 6, 2010, Willis was granted free agency.

Cincinnati Reds

Willis signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2011 season. He was invited to spring training, for a chance at starter or bullpen. Willis was reassigned to the Louisville Bats as of March 27, 2011. Willis was called up on July 10 and made his Reds debut vs Milwaukee at Miller Park. Willis pitched six innings, giving up two runs while striking out four and walking four. He also contributed on offense, going 1 for 2 with a double. Willis made his second start for Cincinnati on July 18th, 2011, at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Accomplishments

• On September 27, 2006, named the Florida Marlins Hometown Hero
• National League Rookie of the Year, 2003
• National League All-Star, 2003 and 2005
• Runner-Up, National League Cy Young Award 2005 (Won by Chris Carpenter)
• On September 3, 2005, beat the New York Mets to earn his 19th win of the season. With that win, Willis passed Carl Pavano's franchise record for wins in a season, established the previous year, when Pavano won 18 games.
• On September 8, 2005, became the first Marlin ever to win 20 games in a season with a 12–1 victory over the Washington Nationals. He became just the 12th African American pitcher to win 20 games in a season, joining the "Black Aces" club. He was also the first African American pitcher to win 20 games since Dave Stewart won 22 in 1990.
• In 2005, became the third player in modern baseball history to win 20 games and collect 20 hits in the same season.
• On September 22, 2005, batted seventh in the Marlins' lineup. No other pitcher had batted seventh since the Montreal Expos' Steve Renko did against the San Diego Padres on August 26, 1973.
• Warren Spahn Award, 2005 (presented to the best left-handed starting pitcher in the league)
• Named a starter for Team USA in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. However, both of Willis' starts in the WBC were considered subpar as the USA exited the tournament in the 2nd-group stage.
• First pitcher to hit a grand slam since Robert Person in 2002 when he hit one off Jose Lima of the New York Mets on July 7, 2006.
• Hit two home runs in one game against the Mets later on September 20, 2006. Oliver Perez and Roberto Hernandez were the pitchers taken deep by Willis.

Personal life

Willis and his wife Natalee have two daughters, Adrianna Rose (born 2007) and Bianca (born 2008).

See also

• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• DHL Hometown Heroes

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Official site
• Dontrelle Willis on X