Brian Wilson
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This page is for major league pitcher Brian Wilson. For other players with similar names, click here
Brian Patrick Wilson
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 205 lbs.
- School Louisiana State University
- High School Londonderry High School
- Debut April 23, 2006
- Born March 16, 1982 in Winchester, MA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
And then there’s the guy with the beard. Where's he? I do fear it. Barack Obama, on Brian Wilson, during the Giants' visit to the White House.
Brian Wilson broke in with the San Francisco Giants early in the 2006 season and earned his first save at the beginning of July, shortly after being brought up for the balance of the season. The following August, in 2007 Wilson arrived in San Francisco to stay and recorded a 2.28 ERA in 24 relief appearances.
With the opening of the 2008 season, Wilson became the Giants' closer. He recorded 41 saves (2nd in the National League, with only 6 blown saves and made his first All-Star Game appearance, despite a 4.62 ERA on the season. In 2009, he was again an All-Star and far more effective, halving his home runs surrendered, despite more innings pitched, and dropping his ERA to 2.74. Wilson was third in NL saves with 38.
In 2010, Wilson and the Giants had a wildly successful season. As the Giants won the World Series, Wilson led the league in saves with 48, had a still lower ERA of 1.72 and finished 7th in Cy Young Award voting.
Wilson started to grow his beard in August of 2010, saying he would not shave until the Giants' season was over. As the season wore on, the beard became a focal point for the Giants' fans, who would wear fake beards to games and hold up signs saying "Fear the Beard", all the way until a win over the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Wilson did not shave after the season and reported to spring training in 2011 with a beard long enough to touch his chest - see the photo (above) taken at the White House in July.
Wilson missed most of the second half of the 2011 season with arm injuries, but seemed to be back on track as he headed into 2012. He pitched a couple of games in April, picking up a save, but then was diagnosed with structural damage in his elbow on April 14th, a prognosis that led to Tommy John surgery. It was the second time under the knife for Wilson, who had undergone the surgery while at Louisiana State University in 2003; Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery both times.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 3-time NL All-Star (2008, 2010 & 2011)
- NL Saves Leader (2010)
- 30 Saves Seasons: 4 (2008-2011)
- 40 Saves Seasons: 2 (2008 & 2010)
- Won a World Series with then San Francisco Giants in 2010
