Print E-Mail Story Comment

 Billy Buckner, who starred on Salem's baseball mound from 1998-2001 was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Detroit Tigers for pitcher Dontrelle Willis on Tuesday.
 Willis was the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year with the Florida Marlins, going 14-6 with a 3.30 ERA.
 Two years later in 2005 Willis had his best season winning 22 games with a 2.63 ERA. 
 Buckner is one of Salem's all-time top pitchers holding the record with 116 strikeouts during the 2001 season, and is No. 2 all time with 185 strikeouts from 1998-2001.
 Buckner also is atop Salem's record book for most innings pitched in a season with 78 and is second all-time with a 2.12 ERA from 1998-2001.
 Buckner was a second-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2004, and was traded for infielder Alberto Callaspo in 2007.
 The former Seminole was 0-3 with an 11.08 ERA in three starts for the Diamondbacks this season.
 Buckner hoped to make Arizona's rotation out of spring training, but was sent to AAA affiliate Reno, where he was 3-1 with a 3.53 ERA.
 In 141 minor league appearances, Buckner is 49-42 with a 4.20 ERA and 625 strikeouts.
 Buckner has been optioned to the Toledo Mudhens of AAA.