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D-TRAIN ARRIVES AT FOX SPORTS 1
Network Adds Charismatic Dontrelle Willis to FOX MLB Studio Team
A World Series Champion, Rookie of the Year and two-time National League All-Star, former starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis has been added to FOX Sports 1's Major League Baseball coverage as a studio analyst.
The recently retired left-hander, who was given the nickname "D-Train" during his playing career, makes his broadcast debut on FOX Sports 1's flagship highlight, news and opinion program, FOX SPORTS LIVE, on Monday, April 20 (11:00 PM ET). Willis also contributes to MLB WHIPAROUND, the cable network's weeknight highlights and analysis studio show that features live look-ins at games from across the country and AMERICA'S PREGAME, FOX Sports 1's weeknight preview show. The two-time All-Star joins former big leaguers Frank Thomas, C.J. Nitkowski, Ra�l Iba�ez, Mark Sweeney and Eric Karros as FOX Sports 1 MLB studio analysts.
"Dontrelle is a guy who was so fun to watch as a player, because he brought so much enthusiasm and passion to the mound," FOX Sports coordinating producer Bardia Shah-Rais said. "We are looking forward to seeing that same energy from him as an analyst and feel like he has a lot to offer to our viewers."
Willis spent nine seasons in the major leagues with four different clubs, but is best remembered for his time with then-Florida Marlins from 2003 to 2007. He stormed onto the scene as a rookie in 2003, posting a 14-6 record and 3.30 earned run average over 27 starts, earning National League Rookie of the Year and All-Star honors for a Marlins team that would make an improbable run through the playoffs and claim the franchise's second World Series title.
In 2005, Willis turned in the finest season of his career, once again earning National League All-Star honors, placing second in the circuit's voting for the Cy Young Award and finishing the season with career bests in wins (22), ERA (2.63), innings pitched (236.1), strikeouts (170), complete games (7) and shutouts (5).
Also highly regarded for his aptitude with the bat, Willis registered a lifetime .244 batting average, 95 hits and clubbed nine home runs during his career. After spending his first five seasons with Florida, he also appeared in regular season games as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers, before ultimately retiring in March 2015.
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