Wednesday, June 08, 2005
DONTRELLE
Tonight, the Mariners will face the Florida Marlins. Alright, we've seen that before. But tonight isn't just any other ballgame for me as a Mariner fan. The starting pitcher for the Marlins?
Dontrelle Willis
Yes, the Dontrelle Willis.
Dontrelle was a classmate of mine during the 6th grade and most of 7th grade at Chipman Middle School in Alameda, California. I moved to Bremerton during the 7th grade (1994-1995). While I only knew Dontrelle a year and a half, I knew enough about him to know that he was going to be a professional athlete one day.
The attitude Dontrelle displays today? He hasn't changed one bit in my eyes. Even back in middle school, Dontrelle was always smiling and trying to make people feel good. I'm glad to see that hasn't changed.
Great attitude aside, Willis has had an excellent 2005 season so far. He has the most wins in the National League (9) and is 3rd in ERA in the N.L. (1.85). He's only given up 2 home runs in 11 starts (9-2). If Willis can keep this up leading into the All-Star Break, there's no reason why he shouldn't be the starter for the N.L. in the All-Star Game on July 12 in Detroit.
The 2005 season isn't Willis' first foray with success. After being called up by the Marlins in May 2003, Willis went 9-1 in the first half and earned a spot on the 2003 N.L. All-Star Team. He would finish the 2003 season at 14-6 and help the Marlins win their second World Championship, knocking off the New York Yankees in six games.
One of the teams the Marlins defeated during the 2003 postseason?
The Chicago Cubs. The same Chicago Cubs who traded Willis in 2002 to Florida in exchange for pitchers Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca. I'm sure Cubs fans are wishing that Willis was in their rotation right now, considering the injury troubles Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have gone through in recent years.
Willis wasn't as sharp in 2004 as he was in 2003, finishing 10-11. The Marlins missed the playoffs a year after winning it all. But in 2005, the Marlins are locked up in a heated battle in the N.L. East.
Will the Mariners be able to knock around Dontrelle? Or will Dontrelle keep doing what he's been doing all season long? We'll find out tonight.
I'll be watching with great interest, that's for damn sure.