Dontrelle Willis

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Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Willis in his distinctive pitching motion, playing for the USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
Florida Marlins — No. 35
Starting pitcher
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
May 9, 2003 for the Florida Marlins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Record	58-39
ERA	3.44
Strikeouts	611

Dontrelle Wayne "D-Train" Willis (born January 12, 1982 in Oakland, California) is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Florida Marlins who made his debut in 2003 and went on to win the 2003 World Series. He is known for his very exaggerated, high leg kick in his pitch delivery, a trait which has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. Willis attended Encinal High School in Alameda, California, where he played baseball for four years. He bats and throws left handed, and he is considered one of the best hitting pitchers in the majors and in 2005 batted a remarkable .261 in 92 at bats. He holds Alameda Little League's home run record, hitting fifteen at the age of twelve.

On March 27, 2002, the Chicago Cubs traded Willis (then a minor leaguer) and 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 ERA in 27 starts. 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 to advance to the NLCS.

In 2005, Willis led the Major League with 22 wins while posting a 2.63 ERA.

Willis can reach 95 mph with his fastball, but his usual range is 91-93 mph. Willis also throws a sweeping slider and a changeup. All of Willis' pitches benefit from the deception inherent in his high-kicking delivery.

[edit] 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, Willis 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, Willis 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", a club that also includes one Black Canadian in Ferguson Jenkins. He was also the first African American pitcher to win 20 games since Dave Stewart won 22 in 1990.
• In 2005, he became the third player in modern baseball history to win 20 games and collect 20 hits in the same season.
• On September 22, 2005, he batted seventh in the Marlins' lineup. No other pitcher had batted seventh since the Montreal Expos' Steve Renko batted seventh against the San Diego Padres on August 26, 1973. [1]
• Warren Spahn Award, 2005 (presented to the best left-handed starting pitcher in the league) [2]
• Was 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 2002 when he hit one off Jose Lima of the New York Mets on July 7, 2006.

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• Florida Marlins profile
• Dontrelle Willis at ESPN.com
• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
• Photo Showing Dontrelle Willis Leg Kick
• Miguel on the 06 season

Preceded by: Jason Jennings	National League Rookie of the Year 2003	Succeeded by: Jason Bay
Preceded by: Johan Santana	Warren Spahn Award 2005	Succeeded by: incumbent