I’m deeply thankful for everything the game has done for me and I will always remember the great people I met along the way as well. #mlb

— Dontrelle Willis (@D_Train35) July 2, 2012

The Florida Marlins in 2002 traded starter Matt Clement and reliever Antonio Alfonseca for Julian Tavarez and a few other prospects, one of which was 22-year old prospect, Dontrelle Willis. The trade was actually the first trade by new Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest. Willis dominated the minor leagues in 2002, posting a 1.83 ERA in 24 starts with 128 strikeouts and just 24 walks in almost 158 innings. Prior to 2003, Baseball America ranked him as the 43rd best prospect in all of baseball, good for the fourth best prospect in the Marlins organization.

Willis made six starts in Double-A Carolina, posting a 1.46 ERA before the Marlins decided to call upon the talented left handed pitcher. The call-up was due in part to A.J. Burnett‘s elbow issues, which eventually led to Tommy John Surgery.

Willis made his first start on May 9, and Willis lasted six innings and allowed three runs while striking out seven and walking two batters. Willis went onto pitch 160 2/3 innings with a 3.30 ERA and 3.45 FIP in 2003. Willis would win Rookie of the Year award over Brandon Webb and Scott Podsednik. According to Fangraphs, Willis posted a 3.3 WAR in his rookie season. Willis also made the All-Star game in his rookie season.

After a couple of rough outings in the playoffs, Willis was relegated to be a L.O.G.G.Y the rest of the postseason. Even with this demotion, Willis played a huge role in the Marlins becoming World Champions for the second time in their brief history. In fact, Ozzie Guillen, who was the Marlins third base coach in 2003, gives a ton of credit to Willis for the Marlins winning:

“Obviously, it takes 25 guys to win the World Series,’’ Guillen said. “But I think this kid … took the pitching staff to the new level. For two or three months he was unhittable.’’

 

The next season, 2004 was a struggle for Willis, as he posted an 4.02 ERA and 4.01 FIP. Willis, along with the rest of his teammates followed up a great world series run, with a disappointing 2004 season. Even still, Marlins fans were confident that the Willis and the team could turn things around in 2005.

Those fans were correct. In 2005, Dontrelle Willis had the best season of his career in 2005, pitching 236 1/3 innings and posting a 2.63 ERA and 2.99 FIP. According to Fangraphs, Willis posted a 6.8 WAR that season, as he finished up as runner up to Chris Carpenter in the CY Young voting. That 2005 Willis season could go down as the best pitching season in Marlins history. Juan C. Rodriguez wants to know which Marlins pitching season you thought was the best.

(more…)

- Josh Johnson is on the DL, but he may resume throwing today if all goes according to plan.

- Grant Frisbee of SBNation’s Baseball Nation and of McCovey Chronicles discusses how the Marlins are winning on a budget as usual and what he’d like to see in a Moneyball-style Fishyball book. Yes, he knows it’s a bad title. Yes, I may consider writing such a thing in the future. Someone get me access to Michael Hill!

- Speaking of Grant’s stuff, Craig of Fish Stripes thought what he said about our announcers in his annoyance Power Rankings was not cool. Craig actually likes Rich and Tommy, which I find hard to believe because I can’t stand Tommy Hutton. Can’t. Stand. Him.

- Tyler Kepner of the New York Times’s Bats blog reflects on two injuries via celebration: one by Chris Coghlan, whose recovery has been successful, and one by Kendry Morales, who will miss 2011 with a second ankle operation due to his walk-off celebration.

- Dave over at Marlins Diehards chronicles all of Leo Nunez‘s Alfonseca Saves. As a long-time Marlins fan who remembers the days of Antonio Alfonseca, I know exactly what they’re talking about. From the official Diehards glossary:

Alfonseca Save (n.): recorded when a pitcher enters the game at the start of an inning in a save situation, allows multiple runners on base and/or gives up runs, but still manages to record a save. Pioneered by the twelve-fingered Antonio Alfonseca, whose tenure with the Marlins (1997-2001) featured many such saves.

And, as Ted later mentions, we’ll take the Alfonseca Save over the Greggorian.

Greggorian (adj.): referring to a blown save that happens so quickly that the viewer cannot even comprehend what happened. Named after former closer Kevin Gregg.

Classic stuff.

- Strip Club with Stanton wrapped up the weekend, but really, the best part about the wrap is the link to this T-shirt regarding Omar Infante. Seriously, SCwS makes the best shirts; support the guy and buy something, will ya? Also, ladies and gentlemen, Omar Infante!