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FLORIDA MARLINS
AGE: 25
POSITION: Pitcher
BIRTHPLACE: Oakland, CA
RESIDES: North Miami Beach, FL
SCHOOL: Encinal (Alameda, CA) High School
PERSONAL: Wife Natalee, one daughter
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Last year, Dontrelle Willis donated $50,000 to fund youth baseball programs in
South Florida. This year, he pledged $75,000 to support these programs and
fund two Dontrelle Willis Mini Marlins T-ball Leagues with the Boys and Girls
Clubs of Miami. During the 2006 season, Dontrelle pledged $100 for every
strikeout to "Strike Outs for Troops," a program founded by Barry Zito that
provides support to families of U.S. Soldiers who were injured in battle. His
donation last year totaled $16,000. He is continuing with the same donation
this season. He is also assisting former teammate Derrick Lee with his charity,
"Project 3000." Dontrelle gave an initial donation of $10,000 and pledged
$100 for each strikeout this season. He is also involved in many "Cornerstone
for Kids" programs, serving as a spokesperson for the "Marlins@School"
program and Marlins "StrikeZone Summer Reading Series." He takes time out to
grant wishes of terminally ill children who dream of meeting Dontrelle and being
a Marlin for a day. The children have their own locker set-up in the clubhouse
and play catch with Dontrelle on the field prior to the game. Last November,
he held the inaugural "Day with D-Train" for 50 kids from the West Grove Boys
and Girls Club to spend the day with him at Sunset Place in South Miami.
Dontrelle Willis is the Marlins all-time victory leader with 58. He also holds the
franchise record for complete games with 15. He has had back-to-back 200-
innings pitched seasons. Last July, he belted his first grand slam home run.
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