Willis compares Rox to 2003 Marlins
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 10/24/2007

MIAMI -- Speaking from experience, inexperience isn't necessarily a big deal in the postseason.
Two main reasons the 2003 Marlins won the World Series were the midseason additions of Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.
Then 21, Willis went on to be a 14-game winner on his way to being named the National League Rookie of the Year. Cabrera, meanwhile, at the time was a 20-year-old who blossomed into an offensive force in the playoffs.
So when Willis looks at the 2007 World Series matchup, and all the young players on both teams, the Marlins 25-year-old left-hander isn't surprised.
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Backed in big way, Willis beats Rays
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 5/19/2007

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays saw two different sides of Dontrelle Willis on Saturday. In the afternoon, there was the boisterous guy who sat on the dugout steps and hollered words of encouragement to Rays pitchers during their batting practice.
Once the sun went down, though, Willis took the mound, lost the smile and did nothing but befuddle Tampa Bay hitters.
The Marlins' 7-2 victory wasn't really as close as the score indicated, so it was easy to guess which Willis the Rays would rather encounter in the future.
"I just have fun with the game," Willis said afterward. "I don't get all tense. I don't think of them as my enemies, I just think of us as going out there and competing. Whatever happens, happens."
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Willis strong but Marlins fall to Bucs
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 5/14/2007

PITTSBURGH -- Despite a strong outing by ace left-hander Dontrelle Willis, the Marlins suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Willis limited the Pirates to two runs on six hits and four walks in six innings before the bullpen was roughed up for five runs.
"We're just not showing up as a whole, offensively, defensively," Willis said. "Whatever you want to call it, we're just not showing up to play, and hopefully this is a wakeup call for us, and tomorrow we'll go out there and compete again.
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Marlins' comeback falls short
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 5/9/2007

MIAMI -- The Marlins could not quite climb out of an early hole against the Dodgers despite an RBI single by Dan Uggla and a two-run homer by Mike Jacobs.
Dontrelle Willis (5-2) gave up four runs in seven innings, while walking five, and he suffered the loss. The D-Train dropped to 1-5 in his career against Los Angeles.
"I was focused to go deep into the ballgame to give [Gonzalez] some options," Willis said. "We've been having a lot of games where we've had starters go five innings, six innings, and the bullpen has got to go extra innings, and things like that. I figured we were going to tie this game anyway, and I wanted to go as deep as possible."
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Willis grateful to Clemens
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 5/7/2007

MIAMI -- At the 2006 World Baseball Classic, Dontrelle Willis was fortunate enough to pick up some points from the best.
The D-Train was a teammate on Team USA with the legendary Roger Clemens, who just signed as a free agent with the Yankees.
Willis was touched that Clemens made it a point to personally seek him out to talk pitching.
"When he talked to me, he told me, 'The only thing that would be your enemy is you are too eager. You get out there and rush,'" Willis said of his advice from The Rocket. "He told me to let the battle come to me. It's like you're ready to pitch at 4 [p.m.] instead of 7 [p.m.]. You've got to relax and get into the rhythm of the game. He said, 'I bet you give up a lot of runs early in the game.' I said, 'Well, I do give up a lot runs early in the game.' "
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Willis, Cabrera lead Marlins past Phils
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 5/4/2007

MIAMI -- Dontrelle Willis dazzled through five frames before faltering in the sixth, but Josh Willingham and Joe Borchard picked him up with back-to-back homers in the eighth. Hanley Ramirez had four hits, while Henry Owens earned his fourth save.
In a battle pitting crafty veteran right-hander Greg Maddux against red-hot brash lefty Dontrelle Willis, it was the late long balls that prevailed.
"I think he pitched well enough to win the ballgame, and I think I pitched well enough to win the ballgame," Willis said. "I've got to get rid of the walks."
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Willis, Cabrera lead Marlins past Phils
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/28/2007

PHILADELPHIA -- The hits kept coming for the Marlins, and the April victories continue to pile up for Dontrelle Willis.
Backed by Miguel Cabrera's career-best five hits, including a home run and three runs scored, the Marlins overwhelmed the Phillies, 11-5
"I'm not surprised," Willis said of Cabrera's big night. "He's half-man, half-amazing."
When Willis completed the sixth, the lefty became the Marlins' all-time leader in innings with 854, surpassing A.J. Burnett, who had 853 2/3 frames. Now at 5-1, Willis improved his career record to 14-2 in April with a 3.18 ERA.
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Willis pitches Marlins past Braves
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/23/2007

MIAMI -- A winning pitcher at night. A father by morning?
Dontrelle Willis' magical career has yet another interesting chapter. The D-Train on Monday night pitched 6 2/3 innings, and helped his cause with a triple and single at the plate. His all-around play helped inspire the Marlins' 8-7 win over the Braves in front of 13,227 at Dolphin Stadium.
After improving to 4-1 on the season, Willis headed to the hospital to join his wife, Natalee, who is having labor induced on the couple's first child.
"It's a blessing, man." Willis said. "I'm 25 years-old, and I've always had a lot going on early. But this is definitely something different, for me to start my family, and a legacy. I wouldn't be able to do it if I didn't have a better half, in her. She told me today, 'Go have fun.'"
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D-Train knocked off tracks by Mets
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/18/2007

MIAMI -- Match Dontrelle Willis against the Mets, and you had to like the Marlins' chances.
While Willis carried an 12-1 career April mark, and an 11-2 lifetime record against New York into the game, the night belonged to John Maine.
"They played well tonight," Willis said. "They had a good plan. I executed some good pitches, and that's a good team. They scored some runs early, and swung the bats well. The way the kid Maine pitched tonight, they didn't need much."
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Willis takes pride in wearing No. 42
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/15/2007

ATLANTA -- If Dontrelle Willis ever had the chance to meet Rachel Robinson, he'd express his deepest thanks.
The 25-year-old Marlins left-hander is very appreciative of what transpired 60 years ago April 15.
Paying tribute Sunday, Willis represented the Marlins by wearing No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier 60 years ago.
Willis has never met Robinson's wife, Rachel. He wishes he could.
"If I did, I'd probably just say, 'Thank you. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity you opened for all of us,'" Willis said Sunday before the Marlins faced the Braves at Turner Field.
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Willis shuts down Braves in win
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/14/2007

ATLANTA -- Snapping a two-game skid, Florida bounced back with its highest run total of the year. With plenty of run support, Dontrelle Willis cruised to 3-0 on the year and 12-1 (2.49 ERA) lifetime in April.
The D-Train gave up three runs in a season-high seven innings, striking out five. The win marked a successful return to Turner Field for Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, the Braves' third-base coach the previous four years.
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Willingham, Willis lead Marlins to win
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/7/2007

MIAMI -- History may not have been his on Saturday night, but Josh Willingham certainly provided enough punch to help Dontrelle Willis and the Marlins pick up a comeback win.
Willingham went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and fell a single short of becoming the first Marlin to hit for the cycle. Willis struck out nine in six innings, and Florida clipped the Phillies, 8-5.
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Willis inherits a social responsibility
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/5/2007

MIAMI -- If it wasn't for baseball, Dontrelle Willis doesn't have a clue what he would be doing with his life.
Raised in Alameda, Calif., Willis says the reason he became a baseball player was because of former Oakland A's pitching great Dave Stewart.
While the Florida Marlins' energetic 25-year-old left-hander couldn't tell you where he would be today if not for the game he loves, he does know what he would be missing. Willis notes if he weren't playing pro ball, he likely never would have ventured far from the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Willis gets plenty of support in opener
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 4/2/2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Whatever pregame jitters first-year manager Fredi Gonzalez may have had were quickly eased by an all-around stellar Opening Day performance.
Willis threw six solid innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts. The D-Train, now 59-39 in his career, is 10-1 with a 2.18 ERA for his career in April.
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All aboard! D-Train gets season started
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 3/30/2007

To the general public and around the Marlins clubhouse there never really was any mystery as to who would be the team's Opening Day starter.
About the only person surprised ended up being the pitcher who is getting the ball on Monday at Washington.
The fact that Dontrelle Willis is a two-time All-Star, a former N.L. Rookie of the Year, a member of a World Series title team, and he has been a 22-game winner made manager Fredi Gonzalez's decision a relatively easy one.
Yet, the humble Willis seemed mildly stunned that he was tabbed to start in the 15th Opening Day in franchise history.
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Willis, Marlins agree on contract
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com / Posted 1/15/2007

MIAMI -- Based on performance, Dontrelle Willis has posted numbers that rank up with some of the top young pitchers in the Major Leagues.
The Marlins' ace left-hander now is being paid accordingly.
The Marlins on Monday night announced Willis agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Earlier in the day, agent Matt Sosnick confirmed the agreement.
"We are pleased to have Dontrelle under contract for the 2007 season," Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said.
Willis, who turned 25 on Jan. 12, is the Marlins' all-time leader in victories. A two-time All-Star, he has a 58-39 career mark with a 3.44 ERA. In 2006, Willis was 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA.
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