August 15th, 2023 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Of course.
And fans are hopeful that Shohei Ohtani will be a new addition to the Dodgers family in 2024 – and beyond.
But there is another impending free agent who is a must-sign before he tests the market – 2003 World Series champion, two-time All-Star, current on-air analyst and special assistant Dontrelle Willis, affectionally known as ‘D-Train,’ who spent five seasons with the Florida Marlins, three with the Detroit Tigers, and one each with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds before ‘officially’ retiring from the game in 2015 with a career record of 72-69 and a career ERA of 4.17.
(SportsNet LA)
There isn’t a better MLB broadcast team than the Dodgers core group. Play-by-play announcer Joe Davis is considered one of the best in the business, as are the Spanish broadcast duo of Pepe Yñiguez and Jose Mota. The expert in-game analysis of former Dodger greats Orel Hershiser, Nomar Garciaparra, Eric Karros, and Fernando Valenzuela is unparalleled.
Nevertheless, the presence of Dontrelle Willis in the ‘Vin Scully Press Box’ elevates the Dodgers broadcasts to another level. He has a refreshing energy and a wonderful ability to interact with the play-by-play announcers, making it a delight to hear their banter and repartee. It’s as though we fans are eavesdropping on a couple of friends talking about a baseball game. He is obviously knowledgeable of the game, has a quick wit, is incredibly funny at appropriate times, but always respectful of the players, the game, and his broadcast partners.
Apparently, it is a mutual admiration relationship, as Willis recently said:
“I feel truly blessed to be a part of this organization. Joe Davis is one of the best game callers in all of sports, so I feel honored to be able to ride his coattails and really cover one of the best sports teams in the world.”
It is never wise to break up a slick double-play combination on the field, and this also applies in the broadcast booth as well.
A little over two years ago, the Dodgers broadcast team took a huge hit when the talented Alanna Rizzo left the organization to relocate to the East Coast. While Rizzo’s circumstances were different than Willis, the team should make certain that they do not lose another tremendous talent to ‘free agency.’
Dontrelle Willis is a must-sign!
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Posted in 
Sign the man!
He is by far my third favorite broadcaster! I’m 70yo that have heard the greatest announcers (Vin, Orel) Please sign him!!!!
You did not mention Mr.Rick Monday!! What is he chopped Liver. He has been with the Dodgers for more years than all those voices. As a player and an announcer and interviewer. Give Credit when credit is due. Snub, snub. How would you like to be snubbed?
Yes! Love Rick Monday. Sign him now!
Fair point. I was focused on the TV side of the broadcasts as I subscribe to MLB.TV and watch the games on the East Coast (three hour time difference). Seldom listen to Steiner and Monday via Satellite radio as their broadcasts are delayed several minutes from the Gameday tracker I follow while doing other stuff. Including the Spanish broadcast team and not including Steiner and Monday could be considered a snub, but it was unintentional. That being said, the few innings that I have recently listened to Steiner and Monday on satellite radio (usually when I am driving late at night) were not up to their previous standards of work — IMO.
I agree with Jesse. I’ve never been a real fan of Monday’s comments. Mostly because of his occasionally weird pronunciations. But having said that it is now very clear he and Charlie calling a game is like a couple old guys talking. And I oughta know because I AM an old guy too. It’s fine /- for me but the game needs to keep its younger fan demographic enthused about listening to games when they must.
I’d hate to see them summarily dismissed but Joe & Orel/Dontrelle/Nomar/ even EK – though I don’t think he’s up to the others yet are much better. Honorable mention shout out to Jessica Mendoza. I think she is VERY good too though I admit I’m not used to hearing women baseball commentators. That MUST change.
Dontrelle is ok but talks too much and mostly about what he did while playing.
Yes, sign him. I love the D-Train, but the real snub was not including Steven Nelson. Nelson and Willis is my favorite broadcast team.
Nelson has been fine in backup role to Davis. No disrespect intended to him (or Neverett) in their roles. Kirsten Watson has made significant advances in her on-air reporting — obviously working hard on her craft. But, my intention was to endorse Willis, not a performance evaluation of the Dodgers full broadcast team
Dontrelle has added enjoyability to Dodger games
Dontrelle is not even a dodger!Let him announce in Miami
I only care about his broadcast talent
Willis doesn’t do a thing for me. Not excited about it at all. Rather have a rookie. But if I had my pick, Rick Monday! Rick was an all-star and a home run machine. But best of all He was a DODGER. That means a lot to Dodger fans, Rick would be great to hear his voice instead of a stranger.
Go Blue!
Dontrelle is terrible! On his last game announcing don’t know what happened to the feed but there was no announcers and you just got to hear the field noises. Such an upgrade over listening to d-train. Joe’s best co-host is Orel by far.
Really wish MLB.com had an option where you can mute the announcers and just hear the field noises. Feels more like you’re actually at the game.
Nice thing about opinions, each of us is entitled to their own; one person’s joy is another person’s misery.
Yes!
Since college i have usually turned the announcers off and played music, except Mr. Scully.
Scully was like having a second Dad!
Most TV announcers talk to much. They talk like they are on radio.
I do wish there was a button to just have crowd noises, too.
With all due respect, the Seattle Mariners broadcast team is the best in the business. Dave Sims, Rick Rizzs, Aaron Goldsmith, Shannon Dreyer and company top them all.
Perhaps we can agree to disagree
Says you, scotty.
Not a fan of Dontrelle. Talks way too much!
I’ve learned more about pitching from Orel. He makes the game more enjoyable. Still don’t understand why Rick isn’t on TV. Nobody (except Vin) knows more about Dodgers!
Am I the only one who finds Joe Davis a little too cute for his own good? When I stream the games, I put on the radio broadcast. I find Joe Davis is much too quick to talk about boy bands and to want to be too chummy with the players. Just call the game man.
I was waiting for other replies before offering my take — nope, I don’t find him that way at all. My experience in streaming MLB.TV games and trying to listen via satellite radio has been awful. The radio play by play lags the TV picture by several pitches.
FYI you can hear the radio broadcast in sync on mlb.tv if that’s how you are watching. Go to “Broadcast options” and you get a choice of audio feeds. It works well.
I usually mute the TV and listen to Rick and Charlie (or Rick and Tim on the road), not because of my likes or dislikes of the SportsNetLA broadcasters but because the TV broadcast is about 10 seconds behind the radio broadcast, which my OCD has a hard time with. When something happens, I hear it right away on the radio, and then know what to look for on the SNLA broadcast.
That said, favorite (or least favorite) broadcasters is indeed very much a personal preference thing – although we ALL loved Vin.
Great debate topic, Jesse. Thanks!
Anything to get a break from Orel saying CUTTER.
LOL!
The High Road.
I enjoy all of the Dodgers broadcasters radio and tv. There will never be another V Skully.