Willis pitched for five seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays, going 7-21 with 15 saves and a 4.59 ERA from 1977-1981. His first two seasons for Toronto were his most productive. He saved 12 games in 1977-1978 while winning five in 87 games. He had a 1.71 ERA for the Blue Jays in 1980, but appeared in only 20 games. Willis professional career lasted from 1972-1982.
Willis’ first appearance came on April 13, 1977 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. He entered the game in the sixth inning in relief of Dave Lemanczyk and pitched 2 and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to save the game for the Blue Jays.
Willis is notable as one of the three players named ‘Mike’ who beat Ron Guidry during his 25-3 1978 season that saw him win the Cy Young. We featured Mike Caldwell, another of the ‘Mike’s’ in August.
Mike Willis – career stats
