Vance Wilson
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| Detroit Tigers — No. 13 | |
| Catcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| April 24, 1999 for the New York Mets | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
|
| Batting Average | .250 |
| Home Runs | 25 |
| RBIs | 129 |
| Former teams | |
Vance Allen Wilson (born March 17, 1973 in Mesa, Arizona) is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. Wilson stands at 5'11" tall, and weighs 215 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed.
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[edit] Early career
Wilson was a high school standout at Red Mountain High School in Arizona and continued his hometown success at Mesa Community College where he tagged a Junior College All-American in 1994.
The New York Mets selected Wilson in the 44th round of the 1993 Amateur Draft, and the catcher signed with the team the following summer after finishing his college career.
After five ardous and injury riddled seasons in the Mets minor league system Wilson made his major league debut on April 24, 1999 as a defensive replacement against the Chicago Cubs. Wilson's immediate tenure in New York was short-lived however, and he began the 2000 and 2001 seasons with Triple-A Norfolk.
[edit] New York Mets
Wilson spent regular time with the Mets finally in late 2001, assuming the role of back up catcher behind perennial National League All-Star Mike Piazza. Used as a pinch-hitter and occasion spot-starter, Wilson's greatest value to the Mets was as defensive replacement who could prevent runners from stealing bases (something Piazza struggled with). From 2001-2004 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 2003, collecting a career-high 39 RBIs, a career-high 8 home runs. Injuries hampered the end of the 2004 season for Wilson though, and the Mets dealt him to Tigers on January 5, 2005 for second baseman Anderson Hernandez.
[edit] Detroit Tigers
In Detroit, Wilson once again found himself behind another perennial All-Star, this time backing up Iván Rodríguez. 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 ineligble list.
He started 2006 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 Tigers.
[edit] Trivia
- Wilson is known by his teammates as "Danger Vance".
- Wilson was the only player on the Tigers 25-man 2006 World Series roster that did not play in a game that series.
