Dontrelle “Rasputin” Willis to sign a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants

By Jan 10, 2014, 1:30 PM EST
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Some guys never get a shot at the big leagues. Or if they do, it’s far too short a shot and they are overlooked for the rest of their careers, exiled to Triple-A or worse. You gotta make the best of that shot. You may never get another one.

Unless you’re Dontrelle Willis, of course, in which case you seemingly get a couple dozen shots and will until you just don’t fell like trying anymore:

Willis was last signed by the Angels. That went nowhere. Before that he was with the the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. The Cubs signed and released him after he threw seven pitches for them. Before that he was retired. Before that he was with the Orioles where he stunk and where he got into all sorts of arguments and controversies with the team. The Phillies released him before that. Before that he was with the Reds, who gave him his last chance to pitch in the big leagues. That was 2011, when he posted a 5.00 ERA in 73.2 innings over 13 starts.

He’s had two really good seasons. One of them was nearly 11 years ago, the other nine. He had one more useful season for the Marlins after that. Since he left Florida following the 2007 season he’s 4-15 with a 6.15 ERA while walking 7.1 hitters per nine and allowing 9.3 hits per nine. And again, he hasn’t even gotten a significant MINOR league look since 2011.

I know he’s a lefty and lefties are supposed to live forever, and by all accounts he’s a great guy to have around (at least if you don’t ask the Orioles). But there has been nothing — literally nothing — positive to be seen in his pitching in a decade. No indication whatsoever that he can help a ball club. How does he still get chances when so many other pitchers don’t?

Probably like this:

A nice thought. But people have been having that same thought for years. It never pans out.

Phils’ Hoskins tears knee, expected to miss significant time

Associated PressMar 24, 2023, 12:02 AM EDT
hoskins injury
Dave Nelson/USA TODAY Sports
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CLEARWATER, Fla. — Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins needs surgery for a torn ACL after injuring his left knee Thursday fielding a grounder in a spring training game and is expected to miss a significant amount of time.

The Phillies did not say when Hoskins would have the surgery or exactly how long the slugging first baseman might be sidelined.

Hoskins hit 30 homers with 79 RBIs last season for the reigning National League champions.

He was backing up to play a chopper on Thursday when the ball popped out of his glove. Sooner after, he fell to the ground and began clutching his left knee. Teammates gathered around him before he was taken off of the field.

Hoskins, a free agent at the end of the season who turned 30 last week, hit six homers in Philadelphia’s playoff run last season. The Phillies lost to the Houston Astros in the World Series.

The injury was another blow for the Phillies, who will be without top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for another few weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow. And slugger Bryce Harper isn’t expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.