Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis, nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseballfor the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds. Willis was notable for his success during his first few years in the MLB and for his unconventional pitching style, which included a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter. He was named the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth12 January 1982
CityOakland, CA
CountryUnited States of America
Especially the last couple of days people were very excited, more excited than I was, ... I was eager to see how things were going to turn out, but I slept easy (Wednesday) night. ... I'm the second-best pitcher in the National League, which is not that dang bad.
I've said early on, it comes down to consistency and being able to do it inning after inning, ... Things are coming together, and I hope to build off it.
I've played some baseball games just to see what I look like and it looked dead-on like me.
It would be a high honor, most definitely.
Sometimes humility is good, because it's a good motivation piece. You appreciate when you do get it done.
Warren Spahn was one of those players before my time, but I knew a little history about him,
Everything was good today -- getting my legs back into it. I was just trying to get into situations where I have to make a pitch. It was all fun getting back into it.
This is the flip side of me throwing eight innings and losing 1-0 (two starts ago). That's how baseball is.
The bottom line is, I'm not playing good baseball. I'm still happy to be here, I just hope we can advance so I get one more start.
When I walked into the locker room, everybody said I had to stop sliding headfirst. Before I even got in there, they were telling me, 'Would you please stop?' Even American League guys were saying that. Vernon Wells said, 'Please stop sliding headfirst.' They all love the enthusiasm and intensity I show.
I just needed some time, but I was OK.
I remember going to the games as a boy. I never thought I'd be in that situation.
I remember going to the games and being a little boy and watching him and watching the classics, ... And everything he meant not only to the team but to the city. I never thought I'd be in a situation like this.
I looked at the second baseman and I figured I'd go hard and give up my body to get in there, ... It was key. It was all about just putting pressure on their guy. I wasn't able to put down any bunts today. I'm upset about that, but I was able to get some key hits for the team.