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
That was the first instinct I had ? to slide, ... I figured the quickest way I could get to the plate was to reach out as far as I can. I just said, 'I'm going to give up my body.' It's all about putting pressure on the other guys.
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.
It was 4-1, and now it's 6-1, and it makes it that much harder to come back, ... It makes the (Astros') climb that much higher. So that's all I was thinking putting more pressure on the opposition.
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.
Keep winning and get to the postseason, ... I won 20 games and they just dumped one beer on my head. It feels good because I'm helping my team win.
That could have cost us the game, ... I've got to get that runner over somehow.
I was trying to tell him to call time. Next thing you know, (Rollins) was running. The situation got out of hand quickly.
I know about having days off. They can be helpful sometimes, especially late in the year. It's just key to go out there and establish early, especially in this park where they can put up some crooked numbers early.
Whatever I can do to win, I'll do it, even if I have to get hit by a pitch, whatever it takes.
It's not about the money for me.
I'm not a conventional guy. I've never been a conventional guy.
I was nervous batting eighth, and I was nervous batting seventh.
I want to be a traveling circus in that big-league uniform, like everybody else.