15-year Marliniversary: Dontrelle Willis becomes Marlins’ first 20-game winner

Photo by Mitchell Layton/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesIn nearly three decades as a Major League Baseball franchise, the Florida/Miami Marlins have had many individuals accomplish many things. To this point, however, the Marlins have had only one pitcher reach 20 wins in a season.

That pitcher hit that mark on this day 15 years ago. Dontrelle Willis became the first hurler in club history to win 20 games in a season when he tossed a gem in a 12-1 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Willis was 19-8 when he took the mound for the middle game of a three-game series against the Nationals at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on Sept. 7, 2005. Willis would mow down Washington not only with his arm, but…