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
I got myself in trouble by not throwing strikes. I had that great defense behind me, but I didn't let them put it in play.
He's a great fit for our team because we're very young and enthusiastic ourselves. He's almost like a player, running around touching bases and everything.
He's a great baseball mind. But he wants to get with his family, and you've got to respect that.
He's already got it down to where he's telling guys when they're pitching. That's the greatest honor for any individual, to represent their country.
Nothing ceases to amaze me about what he's doing now. I've seen what he can do my whole life. It's a beautiful thing to see how talented he is now. Everybody who knew him knew he was destined to do great things.
There are only 13 who have done it. It's definitely a hard feat, especially today where the power numbers are greater and the parks are smaller. To be able to be successful and win 20 is special.
I just haven't played good baseball. I had a great game plan. I just didn't execute.
I'm very excited just to meet with him and talk baseball with him. He's an experienced winner and he comes from a great organization that knows how to win. I think he's going to put that personality and that feeling in our locker room, so it's a good choice.
I felt really confident in my stuff. Toward the end I made some bad pitches, but as far as the game and my strength I felt great there.
It's a great feeling. It's definitely a team effort. You have to have lot of things go your way. Today I was hit and that ended up being the winning run. I've been very fortunate to stay healthy and stay strong.
They did a great job of making me throw some pitches early. After they scored their first two runs, I just wanted to keep it close and not turn into a five- or six-run inning.
He's very enthusiastic. The last few days he's been running around, trying to help the catchers. Things like that. I think that's a great fit for our team because we're very young and enthusiastic ourselves. He's almost like a player, running around touching base and everything.
It definitely hurts, because I felt like I let my team down. I have to find a way to get outs late in the game, especially when they're making a charge.
I'm still excited to be here. The bottom line is, I'm just not playing good baseball. I'm a man and can admit it. ... I'm hoping we advance so I'll get another start.