2002 Topps Traded #T262 Dontrelle Willis RC (Cubs)
I have to admit, I had no idea that Dontrelle Willis was once a part of the Cubs organization until I found this one at a card show a couple years ago.
The Cubs stole him in the 8th round of the 2000 draft. He was a piece of the 2002 trade that brought former Marlins pitchers Antonio "The Octopus" Alfonseca and Matt Clement to Chicago.
As shown in the picture, Willis is already brandishing the high leg kick that would become his signature in his prime with the Marlins. His "prime" seems like so long ago now. And in many ways, it was, as his last good year was back in 2006. Since '06, his lowest season ERA is the 5.00 he posted in his 2011 season with Cincinnati.
I was glad to see that "D-Train" signed with the Phillies for 2012 where he'll pitch out of the bullpen. He's got one of the funkiest windups of the last decade, and hopefully he can regain some of his 2006 form with the Phillies this year.
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