Mookie Wilson
Encyclopedia
William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9, 1956) is an American
former Major League Baseball
center fielder
and current coach
for the New York Mets
. He played 12 years in baseball for the New York Mets
(1980–89) and Toronto Blue Jays
(1989–91). He was a switch hitter
primarily known for his impressive speed and positive attitude. He was named New York Mets
first base coach for the 2011 season.
, Wilson played college baseball at Spartanburg Methodist College
and then the University of South Carolina
.
s, 438 RBI
, and 327 stolen base
s in 1403 games. Wilson held the Mets record for career stolen bases (281) and career triples
(62) until José Reyes broke both marks during the 2008 season.
During Game 6 of the 1986 World Series
, Wilson avoided being hit by a wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score in the bottom of the 10th. His ground ball later in the same at bat went through the legs of Red Sox
first baseman Bill Buckner
, allowing the winning run to score. The play is often known as the "Buckner play," and blamed on the first baseman, but Wilson's smart at-bat, speed and determination also affected the course of events. The Mets went on to win that 1986 World Series. The ball that rolled through Buckner's legs is now housed in the Seth Swirsky
baseball collection.
When the Mets decided to rebuild, Wilson requested a trade. The Mets accommodated him by trading him to the Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Musselman
and Mike Brady on August 1, 1989.
in 1996.
In 1996, Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from Mercy College
in New York
.
In 2005, Wilson managed the single A team Brooklyn Cyclones
. Previously, he managed the Rookie League Kingsport Mets
team and was a coach for the New York Mets from 1997 to 2002. He was named first base coach for the Mets 2011 season.
Wilson and Buckner have become business partners to some extent, attending autograph shows together and signing copies of a photo of the 1986 play that linked the two players.
From 1996-2002 and again in 2011 Mookie served as the First base coach for the Mets. He was later replaced by Tom Goodwin
.
. Mookie introduced Preston to baseball.
In 1999, Wilson obtained a Commercial driver's license
and began hauling freight in the offseason, a job he stated his intention to keep if and when he left professional baseball.
Wilson has been a resident of Lakewood Township, New Jersey
.
On the evening of June 22, 1978, Wilson married Rosa Gilbert at home plate of Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi
. Wilson played in the outfield for the Texas League
Class AA Jackson Mets
at the time. The ceremony was conducted before a hometown crowd of 1200 and included an archway of bats held aloft by Wilson's Mets teammates for the bride and groom's procession. The public was invited to the wedding reception that was held on the field after that night's game. Cake was cut and passed around; fans and teammates chipped in for a bridal suite at a local hotel.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
and current coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He played 12 years in baseball for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1980–89) and Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(1989–91). He was a switch hitter
Switch hitter
In baseball, a switch-hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed.-Baseball:Usually, right-handed batters hit better against left-handed pitchers and vice-versa. Most curveballs break away from batters hitting from the same side as the opposing pitcher. Such pitches are often...
primarily known for his impressive speed and positive attitude. He was named New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
first base coach for the 2011 season.
Early life
Born in Bamberg, South CarolinaBamberg, South Carolina
Bamberg is a city in and the county seat of Bamberg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bamberg is located at ....
, Wilson played college baseball at Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg Methodist College
Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, two-year institution of higher learning, or junior college, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is the only independent, regionally-accredited, residential two-year college in South Carolina....
and then the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
.
Playing career
In twelve seasons, Wilson was a .274 hitter with 67 home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 438 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and 327 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 1403 games. Wilson held the Mets record for career stolen bases (281) and career triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
(62) until José Reyes broke both marks during the 2008 season.
During Game 6 of the 1986 World Series
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
, Wilson avoided being hit by a wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score in the bottom of the 10th. His ground ball later in the same at bat went through the legs of Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
first baseman Bill Buckner
Bill Buckner
William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
, allowing the winning run to score. The play is often known as the "Buckner play," and blamed on the first baseman, but Wilson's smart at-bat, speed and determination also affected the course of events. The Mets went on to win that 1986 World Series. The ball that rolled through Buckner's legs is now housed in the Seth Swirsky
Seth Swirsky
Seth Swirsky is an American pop music songwriter , author, recording artist, filmmaker, political writer and baseball memorabilia collector -- a self-described "Manic Expressive."- Songwriter :In 1980, at the age of 20, Seth Swirsky wrote the national jingle for Thomas' English...
baseball collection.
When the Mets decided to rebuild, Wilson requested a trade. The Mets accommodated him by trading him to the Blue Jays in exchange for Jeff Musselman
Jeff Musselman
Jeffrey Joseph Musselman , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets from 1986–1990.-More Facts:* Musselman is a Harvard graduate....
and Mike Brady on August 1, 1989.
Post-playing career
Wilson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of FameNew York Mets Hall of Fame
The New York Mets Hall of Fame was created in 1981 to recognize the careers of former New York Mets players, managers, broadcasters and executives. There are presently 25 members...
in 1996.
In 1996, Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from Mercy College
Mercy College (New York)
Mercy College is a private, non-profit liberal arts college with its main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and satellite locations throughout southeastern New York, including the Bronx, Manhattan, White Plains and Yorktown...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 2005, Wilson managed the single A team Brooklyn Cyclones
Brooklyn Cyclones
The Brooklyn Cyclones is a minor league baseball team in the Short-Season A classification New York - Penn League, affiliated with the New York Mets. The Cyclones play at MCU Park just off the Coney Island boardwalk in the New York City borough of Brooklyn....
. Previously, he managed the Rookie League Kingsport Mets
Kingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
team and was a coach for the New York Mets from 1997 to 2002. He was named first base coach for the Mets 2011 season.
Wilson and Buckner have become business partners to some extent, attending autograph shows together and signing copies of a photo of the 1986 play that linked the two players.
From 1996-2002 and again in 2011 Mookie served as the First base coach for the Mets. He was later replaced by Tom Goodwin
Tom Goodwin
Thomas Jones Goodwin is a former Major League Baseball player. He attended Central High School in Fresno, and then went on to play for Fresno State University...
.
Personal life
Wilson is both the stepfather and uncle of former major league outfielder Preston WilsonPreston Wilson
Preston James Richard Wilson is a retired professional baseball outfielder. He played in the major leagues from 1998-2007. He is both the nephew and stepson of former New York Mets star Mookie Wilson...
. Mookie introduced Preston to baseball.
In 1999, Wilson obtained a Commercial driver's license
Commercial driver's license
A Commercial Driver's License is a driver's license required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lb or more for commercial use, or transports quantities of hazardous materials that require warning placards under Department of...
and began hauling freight in the offseason, a job he stated his intention to keep if and when he left professional baseball.
Wilson has been a resident of Lakewood Township, New Jersey
Lakewood Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 60,352 people, 19,876 households, and 13,356 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,431.8 people per square mile . There were 21,214 housing units at an average density of 854.8 per square mile...
.
On the evening of June 22, 1978, Wilson married Rosa Gilbert at home plate of Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. Wilson played in the outfield for the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
Class AA Jackson Mets
Jackson Mets
The Jackson Mets were a professional baseball team based in Jackson, Mississippi, from 1975 through 1990. As of 2010, they are the longest-tenured club to be based in the Jackson metropolitan area...
at the time. The ceremony was conducted before a hometown crowd of 1200 and included an archway of bats held aloft by Wilson's Mets teammates for the bride and groom's procession. The public was invited to the wedding reception that was held on the field after that night's game. Cake was cut and passed around; fans and teammates chipped in for a bridal suite at a local hotel.