D-Train

[JohnU]

Anybody care about Dontrelle Willis?
Sure you do.

http://longislandducks.bbstats.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=437440

 

[Redsfan1507]

I don't get players that have made $50 million in a career playing for the Ducks. Is he broke ? Think he can get noticed for a comeback from there ? Just bored ?

If he can't get it out of his system, he should coach. I know. I did it without the$50 mil. Or maybe that was why I had to. Whatever, most players don't want to humiliate themselves. It's sad, like ex-pole dancers trying to look 25 again at 50. There ain't enough makeup or sympathy.

 

[JohnU]

If there's a chance to get back into affiliated, the Atlantic League is the place to be.
Willis would have been far better off reinventing himself as a lefty hitter than trying to get people out.
Two years ago, when the Reds were actually short of lefties off the bench, Willis could have been a perfect pinch hitter.

 

[HammerDown]

He had to be so humiliated posing for this picture.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Baseball can be tough psychologically, especially the roller coaster- impossible dream turned sky high expectation, the shock of how big that pond really is, working up the food chain, for some- stardom... fame...money...everybody wants you. Inevitably, injury, degrading skills, inconvenient luck, insecurity, rejection. Forced retirement (wether your ready or not) in your 30's if your gifted and lucky, earlier for most. It's the age most people are just entering their impact occupation years, and yours is over. It's devistating for some people. Being a sideshow isn't healthy, IMO. Dontrelle has a name, knowledge and personality- people can use for productive purposes in baseball, outside playing.

 

[HammerDown]

Hopefully the D-Train ain't broke but he doesn't strike me as the especially bright type who saved the money. Anyone know?

 

[JohnU]

Atlantic League fans aren't overwhelmed by the names of guys who coulda-been.
He's making about $3,000 a month and he may not need the money. I never heard that he's been a spendthrift or a moron. He's had issues, emotionally. I think he may have been in some substance abuse but I can't prove it.

One chance in a thousand he gets another 30 innings in the bigs. I know I'd play for this operation if I was too young to start setting up an insurance agency.

Vlad Guerrero was to have played for the Ducks but he didn't show up. Never heard any reasons why other than what would be obvious.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Manny is in Japan ? More money and better baseball there, but he ain't getting back to MLB. I don't think Dontrelle is that old, but he may be done anyway. He never had overpowering stuff, seemed to get hit more as his repertoire was better known.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Brandon Webb, J. R. Richard, Wayne Simpson...it happens all the time.