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 most famous for hitting the ground ball that went through Bill Buckner's legs in the 10th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. This play helped the Mets win that important game.
Mookie was a switch hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate. He was also known for his amazing speed. Fans loved his positive attitude and how hard he always played. He became a favorite player for the Mets in the early 1980s. In 1996, he was honored by being added to the New York Mets Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and College Baseball
Mookie Wilson was born in Bamberg, South Carolina. His real name is William Hayward Wilson, but he was called "Mookie" from a young age. He played baseball for his high school team, the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Red Raiders.
College Baseball Journey
After high school, Mookie planned to play college baseball at South Carolina State University. However, the school stopped its baseball program just after he signed up. So, Mookie went to Spartanburg Methodist College for two years (1974 and 1975).
In 1976, the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the baseball draft, but he decided not to sign with them. Instead, he chose to play for The University of South Carolina Gamecocks. He wanted to improve his skills and get picked higher in the next draft. This plan worked! In 1977, the New York Mets drafted him in the second round. Mookie also played in the 1977 College World Series with the Gamecocks. He later earned a college degree from Mercy College.
Playing Career Highlights
Starting with the New York Mets
Mookie Wilson played four seasons in the Mets' minor league system. He was a great player there, hitting .284 with 22 home runs and stealing 160 stolen bases. In 1979, he was named the Rookie of the Year for his league.
In September 1980, Mookie was called up to play for the New York Mets in the major leagues. Even though he started slowly, his manager, Joe Torre, kept him playing in center field.
Mets' Stolen Base Star
Mookie had a slow start in 1981, but he soon began to play much better. He became the Mets' lead-off hitter, which means he was usually the first batter in the game. He stole 11 bases and scored 21 runs in the first half of the season.
In 1982, Mookie set a new team record by stealing 58 bases in one season. He also became the Mets' all-time leader in stolen bases in 1984. (Later, another player, José Reyes, broke his record). Mookie was a very important player for the Mets during these years.
In 1985, Mookie had his first major injury, which kept him out for two months. The next spring, he had another injury when a teammate accidentally hit him in the eye with a ball. He needed 21 stitches.
When he returned in May 1986, he often played in left field. Even with his eye injury, he played well, hitting .289 and stealing 25 bases. The Mets had an amazing season in 1986, winning their division by a huge margin.
The Famous 1986 World Series
Mookie Wilson played in the postseason for the first time in 1986. In the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, the Mets were down three games to two. In Game 6, the Red Sox were leading 5-3 in the 10th inning. The Mets had two outs, but then three players got hits, making the score 5-4.
Mookie Wilson came up to bat. During his turn, a wild pitch allowed a Mets runner to score, tying the game! A few pitches later, Mookie hit a slow ball towards the Red Sox first baseman, Bill Buckner. Buckner tried to hurry the play, and the ball rolled right through his legs into the outfield. This allowed Ray Knight to score the winning run from second base. This play is often called the "Buckner play," but Mookie's smart batting and speed were also key to what happened.
The Mets went on to win the 1986 World Series in Game 7, becoming champions!
A Crowded Outfield
Before the 1987 season, the Mets got another good outfielder, Kevin McReynolds. This meant there were many talented outfielders on the team, including Mookie. Mookie even asked to be traded, but he stayed. He had a great season, hitting a career-high .299.
In 1988, Mookie started the season slowly. But from August until the end of the season, he played incredibly well, hitting .385. The Mets won 100 games that year and easily won their division. They played against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the playoffs but lost the series.
In 1989, Mookie was hitting .199 when the Mets traded him.
Joining the Toronto Blue Jays
On July 31, 1989, Mookie Wilson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. He immediately became a starting player for them. After a slow start with his new team, Mookie began to play very well, especially when the Blue Jays played in Boston.
He helped the Blue Jays climb into first place in their division. On September 30, Mookie helped the Jays win a game against the Orioles that clinched their division title.
The Blue Jays made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1985, but they lost to the Oakland Athletics. Mookie signed a two-year contract to stay with the Blue Jays. In 1990, he played in many games and still stole 23 bases.
In 1991, he played less as a starter but still contributed to the team. The Blue Jays won their division again. After the 1991 season, Mookie's contract was not renewed, and he retired from playing baseball.
Career Statistics
Here are some of Mookie Wilson's career statistics:
| Years | Games | AB | H | HR | RBI | SB | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1403 | 5094 | 1397 | 67 | 438 | 327 | .274 |
In 25 playoff games, Mookie hit .207 with 10 runs scored and 6 stolen bases.
Life After Playing Baseball
After retiring as a player, Mookie Wilson became a coach. 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, he returned to be the Mets' first-base coach again. After that, he moved into a front office role with the team. 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 brother Richard is the father of former major league outfielder Preston Wilson. Mookie married Preston's mother, Rosa Gilbert, in 1978, making him Preston's stepfather and uncle. Their wedding was unique: it took place at home plate in 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 CD. In 2014, he became an ordained Baptist minister.
See also
In Spanish: Mookie Wilson para niños
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
