Dontrelle Willis announces retirement.

[redban]

2003 Rookie of the Year; 22 game-winner and runner-up for the Cy Young in 2005.

I guess you can add his name to the list of those who started strong and faded quick.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/19464707/dontrelle-willis-retires

Veteran lefty Dontrelle Willis, who's been pitching for Triple-A Norfolk (Orioles) in an attempt to work his way back to the majors, has retired, the team announced.

The 30-year-old Willis spent parts of nine seasons with the Marlins, Tigers, Diamondbacks and Reds. Over that span, he compiled a major-league record of 72-69 with an ERA of 4.17.

Originally an eighth-round choice of the Cubs, Willis was dealt as a minor-leaguer to the Marlins in 2002.

As a rookie, Willis was a key member of the Marlins' team that won the 2003 World Series. In that World Series, Willis logged 3.2 scoreless innings of relief against the Yankees. Also a skilled hitter by pitcher standards (career batting line of .244/.287/.378), Willis went 3 for 3 with a triple against the Giants in Game 4 of the 2003 NLDS.

Willis was at his best in 2005, when he posted a 2.63 ERA across 236.1 innings and led the majors with seven complete games and five shutouts.

[DiggerODell]

To a fella retiring . . . it must seem the world is just movin' on . . . and don't really give a care about you or what you brought. It's inevitiable, everyone must . . . but it's a very meloncholy day I'd reckon . . . congrats Dontrelle . . . now go have some grand kiddos and tell 'em stories someday.

[9RoyHobbsRF]

like this is earth shattering news

last time he won more than two games in a season was 2007

his record since then 6-18

[GiambiJuice]

like this is earth shattering news

last time he won more than two games in a season was 2007

his record since then 6-18

Is somebody still bitter that the clearly superior San Francisco Giants choked against Dontrelle's Marlins in the 2003 NLDS?

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I'm kinda curious if he would get a pension. Does a player have to be in the league 10 years? If so I woulda done whatever it took to make 10 years .

[Rich the Giants fan]

MLB players must play 43 days in the majors to earn a minimum $34,000 annual pension plan. Just one day in the majors gets them lifetime healthcare coverage. After 10 years in the big leagues, benefits grow to $100,000 annually.

NHL players must participate in 160 games to earn an annual pension plan of $45,000.

NBA players are vested after three years of service. Once they turn 62, they get at least $57,000 a year. The benefit is maxed out at $1.965 million after playing 11 seasons. Players that choose 401(k) plans are matched at 140%.

NFL players are also vested after three seasons. They earn $470 a month for each year they played. So according to The Street, Brett Favre, who played 20 years, will get about $112,000 a year once he turns 55. The NFL's optional 401(k) plan matches player contributions at 200%. Players that participate in four or more seasons can also get a $65,000 annuity bonus.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-01-26/sports/29955208_1_nfl-players-lifetime-healthcare-major-leagues

[Rich the Giants fan]

Still blows my mind how quickly he fell.

[ol' aches and pains]

Really a sad story, he looked like he had it all figured out as a rookie, I never would have predicted the career path he took.

[milladrive]

Is somebody still bitter that the clearly superior San Francisco Giants choked against Dontrelle's Marlins in the 2003 NLDS?

C'mon, GJ, the sarcasm is really uncalled for. I think Hobbs has been trying to be good lately, and I believe you already know I think you should be too.

[BeatEmBucs]

Wow, now I can say I was at his last win (his only win of 2011) A 5-4 decision over the Bucs September 25,2011 at PNC. Willis also had the game-winning hit with a 2-run double in the 6th. He was one of the better hitting pitchers in the NL, it's a shame his career faded so fast after such a promising start.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Wow, now I can say I was at his last win (his only win of 2011) A 5-4 decision over the Bucs September 25,2011 at PNC. Willis also had the game-winning hit with a 2-run double in the 6th. He was one of the better hitting pitchers in the NL, it's a shame his career faded so fast after such a promising start.

I've seen several pitchers in the last few years, most notably Rick Ankiel, attempt to reinvent themselves as hitters. I wonder why Dontrelle never gave that a shot?

[Cap78]

I've seen several pitchers in the last few years, most notably Rick Ankiel, attempt to reinvent themselves as hitters. I wonder why Dontrelle never gave that a shot?

He wont be able to cock his helmet to the side

[Rich the Giants fan]

He wont be able to cock his helmet to the side

:applaud:

Nice one.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Man, were we rooting for him in Cincinnati last year to regain form. He pitched decently, too.

He had more than a few moments in the sun. Hopefully he's prepared himself for this part of his life.

[TommieAgeefan]

Some may disagree, but IMO, Dontrelle's decline began with this game

I'm convinced it cost him the Cy Young award that season, may have very well cost the Marlins the NL wild card (though that was one loss, the 15 others that the Marlins suffered in September (against only 11 wins) probably didn't help either). But he never had another good eason after that.

If you look at the boxscore, that 9th inning was brutal. IIRC, all 4 Marlins errors came in the 9th. I think that was a nationally televised game also.