Dodgers: Dontrelle Willis Reveals One Big Challenge In Pitching in Japan
One of the newest additions to the SportsNet LA broadcast team was in the booth on Saturday for the Dodgers-Cubs doubleheader. Former NL rookie of the year and 2003 World Series champion Dontrelle Willis served as the analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Joe Davis.
Willis spent nine years in the majors and at one time, was one of the best young pitchers in the game. After five years on the Marlins, Willis bounced around from the Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Reds before finishing out his career in the minors with the Orioles, Angels, and Giants.
At one point, Willis’ career took him to Japan and he noticed one big difference that affects pitchers.
“[I] got a chance to pitch in Japan and a lot of the bullpens are under the stadium. So you really don’t get the energy and the vibe as you’re watching the game on a flatscreen TV as your warming up in the cage and all the sudden, the energy hits you as you’re coming into the game. If you’re outdoors you can kind of have a feel of a game and where it’s going than if you’re indoors.”
Even though his baseball career probably didn’t pan out as he probably would have hoped, he’s still involved in the game he loves.
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Willis needs to have governor attached to his mouth that is controlled by someone with enough sense to consider the TV viewer who tuned in to watch a baseball game. The guys is articulate and speaks very clearly, which is really an improvement over Monday and some others. He is also informed and insightful. He has potential if he can be moderated.
Also, I want to complain about the broadcast’s director. Why don’t we get to see the results of foul balls into the stands? Many times all we see are the crowd cheering for someone who did something, all while we have returned to looking at some pitcher’s nose hairs. I have more!
Loved the play by play on Saturday. Willis , Orel, nomar, yes… Jessica go back to girls softball!
I thought Dontrelle did a great job on the Cubs game. He showed some understated humor and worked well with Joe Davis. Thumbs up!