15-Year Marliniversary: Dontrelle Willis Makes Big League Debut

(Photo: Jon Way-USA TODAY Sports)
Throughout their history, the Florida/Miami Marlins have had just four pitchers make multiple All-Star Games. One of them made their big league debuts on this day 15 years ago.

It was May 9, 2003 as the Colorado Rockies came to Pro Player Stadium to open a 3-game series. On the mound for the Rockies was veteran left-hander Darren Oliver.

His opponent for the Florida Marlins? A left-handed rookie named Dontrelle Willis, who was making his Major League debut.

Willis didn't pick up the win that day, but his quality start led the Marlins' organization to believe that it had something special. Willis allowed three runs in six innings of work, scattering seven hits and striking out seven.

He left with his team down 3-1 in the sixth inning, but the Marlins evened the contest in the bottom of the frame with a 2-run double from outfielder Juan Encarnacion. The teams traded runs in the eighth inning before Florida won the game in walk-off fashion in the ninth on a solo blast from Encarnacion.

As for Willis, he would go on to win nine of his first 10 decisions en route to being named an All-Star and eventually, National League Rookie of the Year. He finished the season with a 14-6 record and 3.30 ERA while helping the Marlins win their second World Series.

Willis would spend five seasons in South Florida, appearing in two All-Star games and compiling a 68-54 record and 3.87 ERA. His 22 wins and five shutouts in 2005 led the league.

He, along with Miguel Cabrera, were part of a trade with the Detroit Tigers after the 2007 season that brought Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller to Florida. While Cabrera would go on to win batting titles, MVPs and Triple Crowns in Detroit, Willis was never quite the same pitcher upon departing.

Willis has long been retired, last playing in the majors for the Cincinnati Reds in 2011. Although it's been more than a decade since Willis was a member of the Marlins, he left the team as the club's all-time leader in wins.

To this day, only Ricky Nolasco has more. Willis remains second in team-history in innings pitched and third in strikeouts. It all started for Willis on the Major League level on this day 15 years ago.

 Mike Ferguson is the founder of Marlins Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.

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