| Mookie Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Center fielder | |
| Born:
February 9, 1956 Bamberg, South Carolina |
|
| Batted: Switch | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 2, 1980 for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 6, 1991 for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .274 |
| Stolen bases | 281 |
| Runs | 731 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson (born February 9, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball center fielder who played with the New York Mets (1980–89) and Toronto Blue Jays (1989–91). He was a switch hitter, known for his impressive speed and positive attitude. Fans would frequently chant "Mooooo-kie" in appreciation of him. He remains regarded with special affection by Mets fans.
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Born in Bamberg, South Carolina, Wilson played college baseball at Spartanburg Methodist College and then the University of South Carolina.
In twelve seasons, Wilson was a .274 hitter with 67 home runs, 438 RBI, and 327 stolen bases 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.
Wilson is the batter who, in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, 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 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.
Wilson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996.
In 1996, Wilson earned a bachelor's degree from Mercy College in New York.[1]
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.
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.
Wilson is both the stepfather and uncle of former major league outfielder Preston Wilson.[2] Mookie introduced Preston to baseball.
In 1999, Wilson obtained a license to drive tractor-trailer trucks and began hauling freight in the offseason, a job he stated his intention to keep if and when he left professional baseball.[3]
Wilson has been a resident of Lakewood Township, New Jersey.[4]
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   | Career statistics and analysis at ''Baseball Reference'' - Mookie Wilson Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com |
| | The Ultimate Mets Database: Mookie Wilson - Ultimate Mets Database - Mookie Wilson |
| | Thinkexist.com: Mookie Wilson quotes - Mookie Wilson quotes |
| | Baseball Almanac: Mookie Wilson - Mookie Wilson Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac |
| | Wilson agrees to $4M, one-year deal with Astros, ''Associated Press'' - Wilson agrees to $4M, one-year deal with Astros - MLB - ESPN |
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