The Brian Wilson era is over in San Francisco

Posted on July 30, 2013

Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants holds up the World Series trophy after their 3-1 victory to win the World Series over the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 World Series at Rangers Ballpark on Monday, November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson officially ended his career in the Bay Area today when he signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wilson last pitched for the Giants on April 12, 2012 before he underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. Wilson became a free agent when the Giants declined to tender him a contract, which would guarantee him a minimum salary of $6.8 million, wrote Andrew Baggarly this afternoon.

It is no surprise that Wilson decided to try his luck with the Dodgers after he has worked hard for the past 16 months to recover from his elbow surgery. He recently showcased his arm during throwing sessions in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and was described as being close to big league ready. The Dodgers are Hollywood and they are winners this season, and Wilson has always loved the spotlight.

Giants fans will always remember Wilson as the crazy guy with the thick black beard that helped lead the team to the 20120 World Series Championship. Without Wilson and his nutty personality the ball club would not have won their first championship in San Francisco. His name will forever be etched in stone in Giants lore.

Wilson made his Giants debut in 2006 and not much was known about him, other than his quiet demeanor and his tattoos. The Giants were in desperate need of a closer as they were going through the nightmare of trotting out Armando Benitez to try and save games. Wilson was being groomed as their next closer and nailed down the role for good in 2008 when he recorded 24 consecutive saves from May 3 through August 17.

Looking back though my archive of pictures I have of Wilson it is hard to remember the clean-shaven guy he used to be. The beard he started growing in July of 2010 (see above) quickly became his trademark. It is hard to envision him without it.

Wilson became an unstoppable force down the stretch in 2010 and into the post-season as he racked up save after save. His flair under the national spotlight that carried him all the way to the World Series brought him national attention and several hysterical off season television appearances. He became a virtual cartoon as his beard continued to grow. This was something he could get away with because he was a winner, but how long would it last?

Wilson was such a fan favorite that he was chosen to raise the championship banner on opening day in 2011. Unfortunately he blew the save in the 9th inning that day and it ended up being a sign of things to come. 2011 would not be the Giants year, and Wilson did not appear to be himself.

After being placed on the disabled list on August 21, 2011 due to inflammation in his right elbow Wilson was basically done for the season. In 2012 Wilson pitched in only two early April games before his surgery. The rest of the season saw him and his beard in the dugout for most of the Giants games rooting them on and goofing around when the television cameras shined their brightest during their second World Series run in three seasons.

It was kind of sad watching Wilson at the end of last season. He was such a crucial part of the team in 2010. They were winning in 2012 without him. It was strange when I photographed him celebrating in the clubhouse when they clinched the division title in late September (see below).

By the time the Giants celebrated their title with a parade down Market Street on Halloween day Wilson was nowhere to be found. He failed to show up at the ballpark in April of 2013 when he was invited to attend the ring ceremony.

“Thank you to the fans in San Francisco. It was an honor to pitch in front of you for all those years….” @BrianWilson38 Tweeted to his fans this afternoon. “Even though I’ll be wearing a different color your impact in my life will never be forgotten,” Wilson added a few minutes later.

I can’t wait to see Wilson take the mound wearing Dodger blue. I think it will make for great theater and a great story. I hope I am able to photograph him when the Dodgers make their final appearance in San Francisco at the end of September.