Showcase of lefties
D-Train faces Big Unit for first time MIAMI (AP) – For lovers of nicknames and low-scoring games, the matchup sounds like a doozy: the D-Train against the Big Unit.
Two celebrated left-handers will match fastballs for the first time Wednesday when Florida Marlins rookie Dontrelle Willis pitches against Arizona’s Randy Johnson.
“That’s beautiful,” says Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who grew up in Willis’ neighborhood in Alameda, Calif. “That’s one heck of a matchup. If they don’t fill the stands for that game, I don’t know what it’ll take.”
The attendance-challenged Marlins expect a crowd of only about 20,000. But there will be a national TV audience, along with the fans who drive the cardboard choo-choo and wear the engineer’s caps that have become part of D-Train mania.
Willis is 9-2 with a 2.59 ERA since being recalled from Class AA on May 9. He has led his surprising team into the thick of the NL wild card race with an engaging flair that recalls such rookie pitching sensations as Fernando Valenzuela and Mark Fidrych.
“He has kind of taken the baseball world by storm,” Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly says. “He looks like a kid who plays with a lot of enthusiasm and joy for the game. He has instantly become a fan favorite, and for baseball in general, I think that’s a great thing.”
The D-Train – his grandmother coined the nickname when he was in grade school – has handled his newfound celebrity with remarkable poise and patience, although he professes to be puzzled by the fuss. His next start will be the most anticipated yet.
“I just hope I can throw strikes and get some hitters out,” he says. “I’m animated enough as it is. I was a high-energy guy in A-ball. For something like this, I might throw it over the net if I don’t check my feelings.”
Johnson, by contrast, has taken part in many marquee matchups. He’s 39 and has 3,789 strikeouts, while Willis is 21 and has 85.
“I’ve been around for 15 years, and it won’t be the first time I go up against someone who has all the hype,” Johnson says. “Any time I’ve been in one of those high-profile games, against a Roger Clemens or a Nolan Ryan, I’ve tried to block all of the hype out and remember that I’m pitching against the other team. My job is to pitch against the hitters and get them out.”
Johnson rejoined Arizona’s rotation July 20 after being sidelined 21/2 months following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He’s 1-3 with a 4.82 ERA but looked like the same old Big Unit on Saturday, limiting Los Angeles to one run and three hits in eight innings.
Willis was 6 when Johnson made his major league debut in 1988.
“He’s a classy guy and a true professional with a lot of talent,” Willis says. “I’ve been a big fan of him for a long time. Hopefully I’ll get to talk to him, but he seems pretty stern. I don’t know if he’ll talk to me.”
Johnson’s knee injury kept him from earning his customary berth in the All-Star game, so he and Willis missed a chance to meet there. Willis initially was bypassed by NL manager Dusty Baker, then made the team because of an injury to another pitcher.
“That was poor judgment on Dusty’s part not to have picked him,” Johnson said. “He’s an exciting kid to watch. He’s off to a great start.”
Willis is 6 inches shorter than the 6-foot-10 Johnson and throws several miles per hour slower. But he has good command, confuses hitters with his unorthodox delivery and saves his best stuff for clutch situations.
“He gets himself into trouble and seems to rise to the occasion and get himself out of the jam,” says his manager, Jack McKeon. “I don’t worry about him anymore. When he has to, he just knuckles down.”
So perhaps Willis will rise to the occasion Wednesday. He claims he’ll approach the matchup as just another game.
“That’s good,” says his childhood neighbor, Rollins. “But when he gets down 1-0, he’ll say, “That’s Randy Johnson on the mound. I can’t give up any more.”‘