Mookie Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mookie Wilson |
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Wilson in 2016
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: February 9, 1956 Bamberg, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 2, 1980, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 6, 1991, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .274 | ||
| Home runs | 67 | ||
| Runs batted in | 438 | ||
| Stolen bases | 327 | ||
| Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9, 1956) is a former American Major League Baseball player and coach. He played as an outfielder for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays for 12 seasons. Mookie Wilson is best known for a famous play in the 1986 World Series. In the final game, he hit a ground ball that went through Bill Buckner's legs, helping the Mets win the championship.
Mookie was a switch hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate. He was also very fast. Fans loved his positive attitude and hard work. He was added to the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996.
Contents
Early Life and College
Mookie Wilson was born in Bamberg, South Carolina. His real name is William Hayward Wilson, but he was called "Mookie" when he was a small child. He played baseball for his high school team, the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders.
College Baseball Journey
In the mid-1970s, Mookie planned to play for South Carolina State University. However, their baseball program was stopped just after he signed up. So, Mookie went to Spartanburg Methodist College for two seasons (1974 and 1975).
While there, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him in 1976, but he decided not to sign. Instead, he chose to play for The University of South Carolina Gamecocks. He wanted to improve his chances of being drafted higher. This plan worked! The New York Mets picked him in the second round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft. Mookie also helped the Gamecocks reach the national championship in the 1977 College World Series. He later earned a college degree from Mercy College.
Playing Career Highlights
Mookie Wilson played for two major league teams: the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays. He was known for his speed and exciting plays.
New York Mets Years
Mookie started his professional career in the Mets' minor league system. He played four seasons there, hitting well and stealing many bases.
Rookie of the Year
In 1979, Mookie was named the International League Rookie of the Year. He stole 50 bases and scored 92 runs for the Tidewater Tides in 1980. Because of his great performance, the Mets called him up to the major leagues in September 1980. He quickly became a regular player in center field.
Mets' Stolen Base Star
Mookie became a key player for the Mets. In 1982, he broke the team record for stolen bases with 58 in one season. He also became the Mets' all-time stolen base leader in 1984. (Later, another player, José Reyes, broke his record.)
Mookie faced some injuries during his career. In 1985, he missed two months because of shoulder surgery. The next spring, he had an eye injury during practice. Even with these challenges, he continued to play well. In 1986, he played in both left and center field. He hit .289, stole 25 bases, and helped the Mets win their division by a large margin.
The 1986 World Series
Mookie Wilson played in the postseason for the first time in 1986. The Mets reached the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. The series was very close, with the Red Sox leading three games to two.
In Game 6, the Red Sox were ahead 5-3 in the 10th inning. They were just one out away from winning the World Series. But the Mets started to rally. With two outs, the Mets got three hits in a row, making the score 5-4. Then, Mookie Wilson came up to bat.
During his turn at bat, a wild pitch allowed a runner to score, tying the game 5-5. A few pitches later, Mookie hit a slow ground ball towards the Red Sox first baseman, Bill Buckner. Buckner tried to hurry the play, but the ball rolled right through his legs and into the outfield. This allowed Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base! This famous play is often called the "Buckner play." It helped the Mets win Game 6 and eventually the 1986 World Series.
Outfield Competition
After the World Series win, the Mets had many talented outfielders. Mookie sometimes shared playing time with other players. Even so, in 1987, he had his best batting average, hitting .299.
In 1988, Mookie helped the Mets win 100 games and their division. They played the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs, but lost the series.
Toronto Blue Jays Years
In July 1989, Mookie Wilson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. He quickly became a starting player for them.
Mookie helped the Blue Jays win their division in 1989, reaching the postseason again. They played against the Oakland Athletics but lost the series.
He signed a two-year deal to stay with the Blue Jays. In 1990, he played in many games, stole 23 bases, and hit four triples. In 1991, he shared playing time in the outfield. The Blue Jays won their division again, but lost in the playoffs. After the 1991 season, Mookie's contract was not renewed, and he decided to retire from playing baseball.
Career Statistics Summary
Mookie Wilson played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played in 1403 games, got 1397 hits, and scored 731 runs. He hit 67 home runs and had 438 runs batted in. He was known for his speed, stealing 327 bases during his career. His career batting average was .274.
After Baseball
After his playing career, Mookie Wilson continued to be involved in baseball.
From 1996 to 2002, he was the first-base coach for the New York Mets. He also managed some of the Mets' minor league teams, like the Kingsport Mets and the Brooklyn Cyclones.
In 2011, Mookie returned to the Mets as their first-base coach. After that, he moved into a role in the Mets' front office. In 2013, he managed the U.S. Team in the All-Star Futures Game.
Personal Life
Mookie Wilson comes from a family of baseball players. His brothers, John and Phil, also played minor league baseball. His nephew, Preston Wilson, played in the major leagues. Mookie married Preston's mother, Rosa Gilbert, in 1978. Their wedding was held on home plate at a baseball stadium in Jackson, Mississippi!
Mookie earned his bachelor's degree in 1996 from Mercy College. He lives in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, where he and his wife started an educational center for girls called "Mookie's Roses" in 1986.
In 2001, Mookie and his family released a gospel music CD. In 2014, he became an ordained Baptist minister.
Images for kids
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Mookie Wilson in 2016
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Wilson greets fans alongside Mike Piazza
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Wilson in 1986
