Brian Wilson (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brian Wilson |
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Wilson with the Giants in 2011
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: March 16, 1982 Winchester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 23, 2006, for the San Francisco Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 2014, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 24–25 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.30 | ||
| Strikeouts | 407 | ||
| Saves | 172 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Brian Patrick Wilson (born March 16, 1982) is a former American professional baseball relief pitcher. He is known for his famous black beard. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers. Fans often called him "the Beard" or "B-Weezy". When he entered home games, the song "Jump Around" would play, which fans loved.
Wilson played college baseball at Louisiana State University. His college career ended early when he hurt his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. The San Francisco Giants picked him in the 2003 draft. He reached the major leagues in 2006 and became the Giants' main closer by the end of 2007. In 2010, he led all of MLB with 48 saves, which tied a team record. He also had a great 1.81 ERA. He helped the Giants win important playoff games, including the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers.
In 2012, Wilson injured his elbow again and had his second Tommy John surgery. He recovered in 2013 and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched well for them as a late-game reliever through the playoffs. However, he struggled in 2014, and the Dodgers released him after that season.
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Brian Wilson's Early Life
Brian Wilson was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1982. When he was in second grade, his family moved to Londonderry, New Hampshire. Brian often talks about his father, Mike Wilson, who was an Air Force veteran. His father was very strict and taught Brian to work hard. Brian once said that his father's strictness helped him understand important life lessons as he grew up.
When Brian was 12, his father became sick. His father fought the illness for five years and passed away while Brian was in Londonderry High School. Brian felt he had to grow up quickly after his father's diagnosis. Even though he was an honor roll student, he sometimes had a strong personality. His high school coach, Bob Napolitano, noticed Brian's amazing ability to focus on baseball. After his father's death, many professional scouts came to watch Brian pitch. But Brian seemed completely focused on the game, not noticing the scouts at all. The Cleveland Indians offered him a contract right after high school, but he chose to go to college instead.
College Baseball Career
After a coach saw Brian pitch well at a tournament, he received a scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU). He played for the LSU Tigers baseball team and became one of their top pitchers. At LSU, Wilson played in 51 games, winning 18, losing 10, and earning five saves. In 2002, he played summer baseball for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2003, during his third season, he injured his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. Even with a long recovery ahead, Wilson decided to enter the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.
Professional Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The San Francisco Giants drafted Wilson in the 24th round in 2003, after his surgery. He started his professional career in 2004 with the Hagerstown Suns. He pitched in 23 games that year. In 2005, he played for the Augusta GreenJackets, where he had a great record of 5 wins and 1 loss with a very low 0.82 earned run average (ERA). He also earned 13 saves. His strong performance helped him move up to higher minor league teams like the Norwich Navigators and the Fresno Grizzlies.
Playing for the San Francisco Giants (2006–2012)
First Years with the Giants
Wilson joined the Giants in 2006. He made his major league debut on April 23, pitching two innings without giving up any runs. He later had to go on the disabled list for a month due to an injury. He had a few more chances with the Giants that year. On July 2, he earned his first career save. In 2007, Wilson competed to become the team's closer. He started the season in the minors but was called up in August. He eventually took over as the closer in September.
Becoming an All-Star Closer
Wilson was the Giants' closer for the entire 2008 season. He had a streak of 24 straight saves. He was chosen for the All-Star Game because he led the league in saves. He finished the season with 41 saves, which was tied for second in the league.
In 2009, Wilson helped Randy Johnson get his 300th career win by closing out the game. Wilson had 38 saves that year, tying for third in the National League.
The 2010 World Series Season
Before the 2010 season, Wilson said that an "elite closer" is someone who helps their team win the World Series. This turned out to be true for him! On March 25, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Giants. He had many memorable saves throughout the season, including striking out a batter in a 15-pitch at-bat. He was named to the All-Star Game again. On the last day of the regular season, Wilson earned his 48th save, tying the Giants' single-season record and helping the team win their division. He led all of MLB in saves that year and was named the "Closer of the Year."
2010 Postseason Success
Wilson made his playoff debut in 2010. He earned saves in the NL Division Series as the Giants beat the Atlanta Braves. In the NL Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wilson pitched well and helped the Giants win the series. He joined a small group of pitchers who won or saved four games in a single postseason series.
The Giants then faced the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Wilson pitched in three games and didn't allow any runs. He recorded the final save in Game 5, helping the Giants win their first World Series since 1954!
Later Giants Seasons
In 2011, Wilson started the season on the disabled list due to an injury. He returned and pitched very well for most of the season. He was chosen for his third All-Star Game and earned the save in that game. He finished the season with 36 saves.
The 2012 season was short for Wilson. He made only two appearances before injuring his elbow again. He had his second Tommy John surgery on April 19, which ended his season. The Giants went on to win the World Series again that year. Wilson was released by the Giants after the season, becoming a free agent. He ranked third all-time in saves for the Giants with 171. In 2018, Wilson was honored by being added to the Giants Wall of Fame.
Time with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2014)
Wilson waited until he was fully recovered from his surgery before signing with a team in 2013. On July 30, 2013, he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He joined the Dodgers' main roster on August 19 and pitched in 18 games, with a great 0.66 ERA. He also pitched well in the playoffs for the Dodgers.
In December 2013, Wilson agreed to a new contract to stay with the Dodgers. However, his performance was not as strong in 2014, and he had a 4.66 ERA. The Dodgers released him in December 2014. Wilson did not pitch in the major leagues after 2014. In 2017, he announced he would try to come back as a knuckleball pitcher, but he did not sign with another team.
Brian Wilson's Pitching Style
Brian Wilson was known as a power pitcher. He used four main pitches:
- A fast four-seam fastball that went around 92-95 miles per hour.
- A slider that moved quickly.
- A cut fastball that had a slight cutting motion.
- A two-seam fastball that moved inward or outward.
He also tried throwing curveballs, screwballs, and knuckleballs. Wilson believed that pitchers should not worry about failing. He said, "You can't go in there with doubts. You can't accept failure... You make what's going to happen."
Brian Wilson's Personality and Life Off the Field
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Wilson is famous for his fun and unique personality.
In the 2010 All-Star Game, Wilson wore bright orange baseball shoes. He kept wearing them, and another team's manager complained they were too bright. MLB fined Wilson $1,000. He responded by coloring half of his shoes black with a marker and joked about "performance-enhancing cleats."
Besides his mohawk hairstyle, Wilson is most famous for his large black beard. He started growing it during the Giants' playoff run in 2010. He said he wouldn't shave until the Giants' season was over, unless they lost the World Series. During the 2010 playoffs, many Giants fans started growing their own beards or wearing fake ones. They chanted "Fear the Beard" and held up signs with the motto. His teammate Sergio Romo also started growing a beard.
Wilson has several tattoos. He has a dragon on his left shoulder to honor his father. Across his chest, he has "In nomine patris" (Latin for "In the name of the father"). On his right wrist, he has a Celtic cross with Gaelic words meaning "All Honor To Him." These tattoos show his Christian faith. He also has Japanese Kanji characters on his arm that mean "Father. Son. Eternal Strength."
Wilson has received a lot of media attention. He had a local reality show called Life of Brian. He appeared on TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Lopez Tonight. He has also been in many commercials.
Wilson became a Christian at age 23. When he records a save or finishes a game, he crosses his arms, points to the sky, and looks up. This gesture honors his Christian faith and his late father.
On Memorial Day in 2011, Wilson announced he would create two scholarships for LSU Air Force ROTC students, in memory of his father, an Air Force veteran. Later that year, he gave away 1,000 baseball gloves to kids in the Junior Giants baseball program.
Wilson sometimes made references to "The Machine," a character. In one interview, he appeared to receive a call from "The Machine" and showed a mask.
Wilson played a pitcher named Peterson in the 2019 film Bottom of the 9th.
See also
In Spanish: Brian Wilson (beisbolista) para niños
- List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders
- List of San Francisco Giants team records
