Add another analyst to Fox’s growing stable of on-air MLB talent – former pitcher Dontrelle Willis is reportedly joining the network after a nine-year career in the majors.
Willis is just 33, and last pitched in the majors during the 2011 season with the Reds. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year with the Marlins had stints with the Phillies, Orioles, Cubs, Angels, Giants, and Brewers following his time in Cincinnati, but hadn’t pitched in the majors in four years. This spring, Willis was in camp with the Brewers, but never made his in-game debut because of a lingering neck injury.
How Willis will fare with Fox is unknown because of his lack of experience. But he fits the mold of the other MLB analysts Fox has brought in since the launch of Fox Sports 1 two years ago – young and inexperienced, but oozing potential. No one expected all that much from Gabe Kapler, C.J. Nitkowski, and Frank Thomas, and all thrived with the network.
This is becoming a bit of a trend across all sports and all networks – recently retired younger players are getting jobs, and I have no problem with that. At ESPN, we’ve seen guys like Dallas Braden and Mark Mulder get a chance. Fox has given ex-NFL players like Scott Fujita and Randy Moss a chance to shine. TBS and, later, MLB Network brought Pedro Martinez into our lives. Giving fans more insightful, original analysis can only be a good thing, and hopefully Willis is able to provide that at Fox.
Credit to Awful Announcing who originally published this article
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
