Topic: Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Wayne Willis (born January 12, 1982), nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter. Willis was named the 2003 N.L Rookie of the Year.

Willis is also known as one of the best hitting pitchers in Major League Baseball. In his career, he has hit 9 home runs and driven in 37 RBIs.

Growing up in Oakland, Willis rooted for the Oakland A's as a kid. His mother Joyce, was a soft ball catcher for her high school team. Willis' favorite player was former Oakland A's pitcher, Dave Stewart. Willis attended Encinal High School in Alameda, California, 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 went 12-1 with a 0.83 ERA in 70 innings. Scouts never doubt his talents but rather his crazy motion. One scout even called him a "Poor man's C.C Sabathia." He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2001, Willis was bumped up to the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League. He finished with 8 wins and a 2.98 earned run average. Opposing hitters only batted .217 against Willis. In a Baseball America poll, several NWL managers called Willis the Boise's best player.