Mike Willis
Born: 12/26/1950 in Oklahoma City, OK, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-13 | Final Game: 1981-06-11
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Michael Henry Willis
Biography
Mike Willis was a professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1977 until 1981. Born in 1950, Willis made his debut during a transitional period in the sport, marked by the shift from the dominant pitching styles of the 1960s to the more offense-oriented game that characterized the late 1970s and early 1980s. Over the course of his career, he recorded a win-loss record of 7-21, an earned run average (ERA) of 4.59, and tallied 149 strikeouts. He also demonstrated his capability as a reliable reliever by accumulating 15 saves.
Willis's playing style was emblematic of the era's emphasis on versatility, as he often adapted his approach based on the specific needs of his team. While he may not have been a perennial All-Star, his contributions on the mound were significant during his tenure, particularly in high-pressure situations. His career spanned a time of evolving strategies in baseball, and he left a mark as a determined competitor working through the challenges of the game. Following his retirement on June 11, 1981, Willis's career serves as a reminder of the many players who played crucial roles in their teams, often away from the spotlight of star-studded rosters.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 21 | 144 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 296.0 | 312 | 151 | 36 | 124 | 149 | 4.59 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | TOR | AL | 2 | 6 | 43 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 107.3 | 105 | 47 | 38 | 59 | 3.94 | -1423.5 |
| 1978 | TOR | AL | 3 | 7 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 100.7 | 104 | 51 | 39 | 52 | 4.56 | -1149.7 |
| 1979 | TOR | AL | 0 | 3 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26.7 | 35 | 25 | 16 | 8 | 8.44 | -355.4 |
| 1980 | TOR | AL | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26.3 | 25 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 1.71 | -460.3 |
| 1981 | TOR | AL | 0 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35.0 | 43 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 5.91 | -1878.1 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 144 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | TOR | AL | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1978 | TOR | AL | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1979 | TOR | AL | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1980 | TOR | AL | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1981 | TOR | AL | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 144 | 6 | 19 | 49 | 2 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | TOR | P | 43 | 3 | 6 | 19 | 1 | 1 |
| 1978 | TOR | P | 44 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | TOR | P | 17 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | TOR | P | 20 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | TOR | P | 20 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 144 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | TN | 1970, 1971, 1972 |