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 wanted to stay in the game. I don't know exactly what the pitch count was, but I didn't want to come out that game at all.
I don't even know what I'm right now at as far as wins. I can't even tell you. I've still got 300 to go. You have to be very fortunate and very lucky and very blessed to stay healthy to be able to have a chance to go out there and do those type of things. I need all the help and luck to be on my side.
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.
I just tried to throw strikes and stay in a rhythm. That's my game.
I never fathomed it. I never fathomed winning 15 games.
I knew the situation. You knew where they were going with all the trades, so I kind of figured I was going to go to a one-year deal, which is fine with me. Everybody wants that 'A-Rod' 10-year, $25 million deal but you have to deal with circumstances. I'm just definitely excited to make more than $375,000 (his 2005 salary).
I'm just swinging. To be able to get a big hit and put that much pressure on the pitcher is key.
I'm like a kid excited about Christmas. It's going to be very intense. It's going to be a lot bigger than what people are talking about.
I'm like a kid at Christmas waiting for the 25th to roll around. I'm ready to go out there to show my talents.
I'm dumbfounded right now, very ecstatic just because of how my teammates felt for me today, ... They were pulling for me. I'm kind of breathtaken. It's historic. It's a beautiful thing, not only for baseball but for my team.
I'm dumbfounded right now, very ecstatic just because of how my teammates felt, ... They were pulling for me.
I'm dumbfounded right now, ... I'm very ecstatic because of how my teammates felt today. They were pulling for me. It's historic. It's a beautiful day for baseball, my team, and hopefully we can just keep going.
I'm dumbfounded ... ecstatic. It's historic. I never thought I'd be in this situation. (I feel) fortunate, and I hope African American players are proud of me.
I'm not saying we're going to to win 100 games or lose 100 games but I guarantee the effort is gonna be there.