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 have a tough angle, man. I think of me on the mound. Sometimes, I don't even have the same arm slots. It's just little things, whatever it takes to get guys out. I definitely wouldn't want to hit off myself.
It's fine. I'm ready. I'm not really a verbal guy who will get on anybody. I'll just try to lead by example.
It will be wonderful to see all the countries and all the guys representing them.
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'm not a conventional guy. I've never been a conventional guy.
I just want to say I owe the whole reds organization a great deal. Great staff top to bottom and I wish those guys all the best.
As far as the anxiety, I have no idea about it. I don't feel like I have any nervousness out there. I'm just a guy who really cares about being competitive and that's the bottom line.
I'm a happy-go-lucky guy.
I want to make guys put the ball in play. If I give up ten hits, then I give up ten hits. But I want to work on making them earn it.
We should win it, most definitely. Every team should feel they have a chance to win, or they shouldn't come out. I don't want to be around guys who don't want to win. We're all in it because we want to win.
They're going to be in it regardless of how many people get hurt. Bobby Cox is always going to have those guys ready to play.
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.
Whatever it takes. I'm a guy that loves the game of baseball, period, ... All aspects. I take pride in all aspects of the game - defensively, pitching, whatever it takes to be successful, that's what I take pride in.
Individual statistics are fine and dandy, but it's lonely out there. You want to share with the 24 other guys that helped you be successful.