Happy Trails BWilly

Don't Despair Over Brian Wilson
by Justin Cheng

The bearded one is not going to be a San Francisco Giant.  

This is a statement that will get some taking getting used to, with Brian Wilson signing a one-year deal with the team-that-will-not-be-named-on-this-blog-for-personal-indifference. The iconic reliever reportedly passed on an opportunity to rejoin his old team, who, themselves, passed on an opportunity to keep him for a $8.5 million fee.

Should we bring out our Wilson jerseys and burn them along with the Cleveland Lebron jerseys and post Twitter rants, crucifying our former closer?

The simple answer is no. 

While Wilson has not pitched in the major leagues since April 12, 2012, Giants and in-denial Texas Rangers fans must remember that he was on the mound when capturing our first championship since moving to San Francisco in 1958. He gave his arm, endangering the longevity of his own career, for us to live in memories that would last a lifetime. For that, we, as a fanbase, are in debt of his efforts.

Having said that, Wilson is an attention-freak, who is willing to do anything bizarre thing to gain the spotlight. It started off with the neon orange All-Star game spikes, which turned into a chin forest, penguin suit, sailor outfit, and $10,000 sneakers. These exploits made him a household name, one that baseball had embraced as one of the most marketable faces in all of sports.

Even then, Wilson never seemed to fit in with the culture of the Giants, an organization that headlines solemn superstars like Buster Posey, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner. Wilson seemed intent on being the star of the show and class clown, a role that manager Bruce Bochy backed by stating, "He (Wilson) is good for baseball."

Eccentric figures, especially in baseball, have often been condemned for their celebratory mantras, whether it's Hanley Ramirez making four eyes or Nyger Morgan doing anything Nyger Morgan would do. 

In his case, Wilson was never hated by his opponents, and his former teammates seem to adore him, but his actions charaded a me-first attitude, rather than team-first. When he was at his best, he was the premier closer in all of baseball, but at his worst, he was erratic and was the poster child of the Giants' brand of torture. With questions regarding his ability to perform like before and in consideration of the Giants' mounting struggles this season, Wilson's self-promoting antics would not have been tolerated for long and would eventually gone to another team.

So here's to you, Brian Wilson. We hope that you find happiness with the team-that-will-not-be-named-on-this-blog-for-personal-indifference, but we are the reigning WORLD CHAMPIONS. We have our own bearded closer, and we will move on.

--UPDATE--

Thank you to the fans in San Francisco. It was an honor to pitch in front of you for all those years....
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson38) July 30, 2013

Even though I'll be wearing a different color your impact in my life will never be forgotten.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilson38) July 30, 2013

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

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