Only a small percentage of baseball players who sign or are
drafted end up playing in the major leagues. Therefore, when a prospect pans
out and goes on to have a solid career, it’s quite the accomplishment. When
outfielder Glenn
Wilson became a professional player, he began with high expectations but
more than lived up to them during his decade as a big leaguer.
After playing for Sam Houston State in college, the
right-handed Wilson was drafted with the 18th overall pick in the first round
of the 1980 draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was taken just ahead of
other highly-touted youngsters like Terry
Francona and Billy Beane,
who would both go on to have more success on the administrative side of the
game than on the field.
After tearing up the minors for two years, Wilson was
summoned to the Tigers to start the 1982 season and had a tremendous rookie
campaign, hitting .292 with 12 home runs in 84 games. His first
major league hit was a double off Ron Guidry
and the New York Yankees, while his first
homer came off Dave Frost
and the Kansas City Royals.
A solid all-around player, Wilson was best known for his cannon arm (109 career
assists from the outfield) and for running
a gas station while his career was in full swing. Prior to the start of the
1984 season he was the centerpiece of the trade that sent him to the
Philadelphia Phillies for that year’s eventual American League Cy Young winner,
Willie
Hernandez, among others. The outfielder also went on to play for the
Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros before calling it a
career following the 1993 season.
In 1,201 career games, he hit a combined .265 with 98 home
runs and 521 RBIs. His best season came in 1985 with the Phillies, as he hit
.275 with 14 home runs and 102 RBIs; earning an All Star selection.
Since retiring as a player, Wilson has gone on to do a
variety of things, including a stint as a manager in the independent leagues.
He also wrote a book titled Headed Home, which details his
journey to his spirituality. Recently, he agreed to answer some questions about
his career.
Glenn Wilson
Interview:
Who was your favorite
athlete when you were growing up, and why?: My favorite player was Joe
Namath. I was not a baseball fan. He is the reason for me wearing 12 when
available.
Can you describe your draft experience with the Tigers in 1980?: Being drafted in the first round was the most exciting thing ever.
Your first major league hit came off Ron Guidry and the New York Yankees in 1982. What do you remember about that moment?: After the hit off Guidry, he stepped off the mound and looked at me on second base and gave me a congratulatory nod.
In your opinion, who was the most talented player you ever played with or against?: Barry Bonds was hands down the greatest hitter I ever played with or saw. Ken Caminiti was the greatest infielder. I was the greatest outfielder. Lol
What is your favorite moment from your baseball career?: My favorite moment came in Wrigley. I was at 91 RBIs with nine games to go in 1985. I hit a grand slam and a solo homer in that game and knew then I would get 100. Actually, 102.
Prior to the start of the 1984 season, you were traded to the Phillies. What is being traded like?: Being traded from Detroit stunk. I had been their number one pick and had two pretty solid years. Then I remembered the Phillies had just been in the World Series. That first year was a tough adjustment. I only spent five days with them in spring training. I never felt comfortable in ‘84. Plus, the Tigers were running away with their division.
Please talk a little about what it was like to play for manager Sparky Anderson?: I hated Sparky Anderson and he hated me. So it was a good trade because we would have come to blows.
Can you describe your draft experience with the Tigers in 1980?: Being drafted in the first round was the most exciting thing ever.
Your first major league hit came off Ron Guidry and the New York Yankees in 1982. What do you remember about that moment?: After the hit off Guidry, he stepped off the mound and looked at me on second base and gave me a congratulatory nod.
In your opinion, who was the most talented player you ever played with or against?: Barry Bonds was hands down the greatest hitter I ever played with or saw. Ken Caminiti was the greatest infielder. I was the greatest outfielder. Lol
What is your favorite moment from your baseball career?: My favorite moment came in Wrigley. I was at 91 RBIs with nine games to go in 1985. I hit a grand slam and a solo homer in that game and knew then I would get 100. Actually, 102.
Prior to the start of the 1984 season, you were traded to the Phillies. What is being traded like?: Being traded from Detroit stunk. I had been their number one pick and had two pretty solid years. Then I remembered the Phillies had just been in the World Series. That first year was a tough adjustment. I only spent five days with them in spring training. I never felt comfortable in ‘84. Plus, the Tigers were running away with their division.
Please talk a little about what it was like to play for manager Sparky Anderson?: I hated Sparky Anderson and he hated me. So it was a good trade because we would have come to blows.
Do you mind sharing
why you and Sparky didn’t get along?: I think, number one, Sparky never
liked rookies. Plus, we both had big egos. You know how sometimes when you first
meet someone you can just tell they don't like you? That was how I felt. Plus,
not one time after a good play or home run did he just pat me on the back. But
he would always stop me and explain how you could have done this or that. If
you read my book I go into better detail about our relationship. He took some
what I felt were unfair shots at me on TV and in the papers. So I got him back
using those same sources. Once he started me in ‘83 on the road in the home
opener in Minnesota and he got wind a TV crew was going to follow me around at
my apartment and driving to the home opener. I had a good series in Minnesota
but when I got to the ball park my name was not in the lineup. Obviously, I was
pissed but remembered the cameras were rolling so I had to play it off like no
big deal. I did, but when the reporter asked me how I felt I said, I feel
‘fine, Sparky just makes out the lineup and I have no control of that. He is
not God, just a manager.’ He got me back later by not starting me in my home
state knowing I would have family and friends there. Those are just a few of
our feuds. There are many more in my book.
If there is anything you could go back and do differently about your baseball career, what would that be?: Anything I would do different? Not have an agent.
If there is anything you could go back and do differently about your baseball career, what would that be?: Anything I would do different? Not have an agent.
What are you up to
since retiring as a player?: Since my playing career ended, I have tried
many things. I was not very good at any of them, except managing independent
ball, where three of my four years my teams went to the championship.
********************************
You can check me out on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @historianandrew
Sparky never liked rookies? Do the names, Chris Pittaro or Torey Lovullo ring a bell. Really enjoy the site, btw.
ReplyDelete