Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Willis
Willis with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Pitcher
Born: (1982-01-12) January 12, 1982 (age 35) Oakland, California
Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 9, 2003, for the Florida Marlins
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2011, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	72–69
Earned run average	4.17
Strikeouts	896
Teams
Florida Marlins (2003–2007) Detroit Tigers (2008–2010) Arizona Diamondbacks (2010) Cincinnati Reds (2011)
Career highlights and awards
2× All-Star (2003, 2005) World Series champion (2003) NL Rookie of the Year (2003) NL wins leader (2005)

Dontrelle Wayne Willis (born January 12, 1982), nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 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.

Growing up in Alameda, California, Willis rooted for the Oakland Athletics as a child. His mother, Joyce, played softball as a catcher for her high school team. Willis' favorite player was former Oakland Athletics' pitcher Dave Stewart. Willis attended Encinal High School in Alameda, where he played baseball for four years. He is the son of Clinton Ostah, a former minor league player in the 1970s. In Willis' senior year, he had a 12–1 win–loss record and a 0.83 earned run average (ERA) in 70 innings pitched. Scouts never doubted his talents, but rather his unusual pitching mechanics. One scout even called him a "Poor man's CC Sabathia." He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft.