Vance Wilson
Encyclopedia
Vance Allen Wilson is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
. Wilson stands at 5'11" tall, and weighs 215 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed.
in Arizona
and continued his hometown success at Mesa Community College
where he was tagged as a Junior College All-American in 1994.
The New York Mets
selected Wilson in the 44th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
, and the catcher signed with the team the following summer after finishing his college career.
After five arduous and injury riddled seasons in the Mets minor league system, Wilson made his major league debut on April 24, , as a defensive replacement against the Chicago Cubs
. Wilson's immediate tenure in New York was short-lived however, and he began the and seasons with Triple-A Norfolk
.
All-Star Mike Piazza
. Used as a pinch-hitter and occasional spot-starter, Wilson's greatest value to the Mets was as a defensive replacement who could prevent runners from stealing bases
(something Piazza struggled with). From 2001-, Wilson ranked amongst the top three National League catchers for lowest opposing stolen base percentage.
The reserve catcher appeared in a career-high 96 games for the Mets in , notching career-highs of 8 home run
s and 39 RBI
. However, Wilson was hampered by injuries towards the end of the 2004 season, and the Mets dealt him to the Detroit Tigers
on January 5, , for second baseman
Anderson Hernandez
.
. During the latter half of 2005 he had a short starting stint, calling 22 games for the Tigers with Rodríguez on the disabled list
and ineligible list.
He started once again on the bench as the Tigers began the race for the American League
crown. During the summer he signed a two-year extension with the Tigers.
In , he tore a muscle in his right forearm
during the last week of spring training
and was expected to be on the disabled list for the first half of the season. He reinjured his arm in early June during a rehab assignment. It required Tommy John surgery
, ending his season. Minor leaguer Mike Rabelo
replaced Wilson as the back-up catcher.
Wilson was expected to be ready for the season. However, Wilson suffered yet another injury during his rehabilitation during the winter months. He suffered from Plantar fasciitis
, which is an inflammation in the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes. After Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees
, utility player Brandon Inge
took over as the team's starting catcher in Wilson's absence. Rabelo was traded to the Florida Marlins
, leaving the backup catching duties to Dane Sardinha
.
Wilson filed for free agency
on October 31, 2008.
.
On April 1, 2010, Wilson opted out of his minor league deal with the Royals and chose to retire.
, the Kansas City Royals' Class A
Midwest League
affiliate. In 2011, Wilson's rookie
season as manager, Wilson piloted the Cougars to a 37-33 overall record and third-place finish in the division, which qualified the Cougars for participation in Midwest League's playoffs.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. Wilson stands at 5'11" tall, and weighs 215 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed.
Early career
Wilson was a high school standout at Red Mountain High SchoolRed Mountain High School
Red Mountain High School is a secondary school in Mesa, Arizona. It opened in 1988, with Robert Free the founding principal.-Athletics:-Notable alumni:*Brian Jennings - NFL player*Vance Wilson - MLB player...
in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and continued his hometown success at Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District and is the largest in the United States. MCC began in 1963 as a branch of Phoenix College and later granted independent status in 1965.MCC offers more than 200...
where he was tagged as a Junior College All-American in 1994.
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...
selected Wilson in the 44th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
, and the catcher signed with the team the following summer after finishing his college career.
After five arduous and injury riddled seasons in the Mets minor league system, Wilson made his major league debut on April 24, , as a defensive replacement against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Wilson's immediate tenure in New York was short-lived however, and he began the and seasons with Triple-A Norfolk
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
.
New York Mets
Wilson finally began to play regularly with the Mets in late , assuming the role of back-up catcher behind perennial National LeagueNational League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All-Star Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
. Used as a pinch-hitter and occasional spot-starter, Wilson's greatest value to the Mets was as a defensive replacement who could prevent runners from stealing bases
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...
(something Piazza struggled with). From 2001-, Wilson ranked amongst the top three National League catchers for lowest opposing stolen base percentage.
The reserve catcher appeared in a career-high 96 games for the Mets in , notching career-highs of 8 home run
Home 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 and 39 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...
. However, Wilson was hampered by injuries towards the end of the 2004 season, and the Mets dealt him to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on January 5, , for second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Anderson Hernandez
Anderson Hernández
Anderson Hernández is a middle infielder in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in Anderson Hernández is a middle [[infielder]] in [[Major League Baseball]...
.
Detroit Tigers
In Detroit, Wilson once again found himself behind another perennial All-Star, this time backing up Iván RodríguezIván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
. During the latter half of 2005 he had a short starting stint, calling 22 games for the Tigers with Rodríguez on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and ineligible list.
He started once again on the bench as the Tigers began the race for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
crown. During the summer he signed a two-year extension with the Tigers.
In , he tore a muscle in his right forearm
Forearm
-See also:*Forearm flexors*Forearm muscles...
during the last week of spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and was expected to be on the disabled list for the first half of the season. He reinjured his arm in early June during a rehab assignment. It required Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
, ending his season. Minor leaguer Mike Rabelo
Mike Rabelo
Michael Gregory Rabelo is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Rabelo grew up in the city of New Port Richey, Florida, and attended Ridgewood High School...
replaced Wilson as the back-up catcher.
Wilson was expected to be ready for the season. However, Wilson suffered yet another injury during his rehabilitation during the winter months. He suffered from Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole of the foot.Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis. The suffix...
, which is an inflammation in the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes. After Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, utility player Brandon Inge
Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
took over as the team's starting catcher in Wilson's absence. Rabelo was traded to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, leaving the backup catching duties to Dane Sardinha
Dane Sardinha
Dane Kealoha A. A. Sardinha is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent.-College career:...
.
Wilson filed for free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
on October 31, 2008.
Kansas City Royals
On January 7, , Wilson signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
On April 1, 2010, Wilson opted out of his minor league deal with the Royals and chose to retire.
Managerial career
On October 29, 2010, Wilson began a new chapter in his professional-baseball career as he was named the 13th manager of the Kane County CougarsKane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago....
, the Kansas City Royals' Class A
Class A
Class A may refer to:* Class A airfield, a standardised design for military airfields built throughout Britain from 1942* Class A airspace, an airspace class defined by the ICAO* class A amplifier, a category of electronic amplifier...
Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
affiliate. In 2011, Wilson's rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
season as manager, Wilson piloted the Cougars to a 37-33 overall record and third-place finish in the division, which qualified the Cougars for participation in Midwest League's playoffs.