Pghfan987
04-29-2006, 09:03 PM
With the Pirates off to a horrible start, it is pretty easy to post nothing but negative posts. But I would like to say something positive about Jack "Flash" Wilson.
With all the steroids, throwing at hitters, and un-gentlemenly behavior that is around baseball, Jack Wilson is a class act. Whether his team is up by ten runs or down by ten runs, and whether his team has been eliminated from playoff contention or has not yet been mathematically eliminated, Jack gives "110%". I know it is cliche, but this guy doesn't know the meaning of the word "half-ass".
He is an active member of the Pittsburgh community and is a clubhouse leader.
On the field, he isn't bad either. His glove is noteworthy. He has been the runner-up the last four years in the NL gold glove race. IMO, he is the best in the league right now with the glove. Of course I am biased, but at the same time, I watch him all the time, and watch his great plays first-hand. If his hat didn't say "P" on it, I have to think that he would have won a few GGs by now.
He has traditionally been a pretty average hitter, but this off-season, he worked hard in the weight room to put on 10 pounds, and it has immediately paid dividends. He has hit 4 homers and is hitting .340. Not bad for a glove-only shortstop.
But he is one of those players who is always a little better with the bat than the stats would indicate. He is a great #2 hitter in the NL- he has a great ability to bunt, make contact, and move runner over.
If anyone has kids, don't have them emulate the guy who hits 40 home runs annually but is a head-case. Jack is a role model that every kid should emulate.
I think that I am probably merely expressing the opinions of my fellow Pirates' fans here, but for those non-Pittsburghers who did not know about Jack, it is about time you do.
With all the steroids, throwing at hitters, and un-gentlemenly behavior that is around baseball, Jack Wilson is a class act. Whether his team is up by ten runs or down by ten runs, and whether his team has been eliminated from playoff contention or has not yet been mathematically eliminated, Jack gives "110%". I know it is cliche, but this guy doesn't know the meaning of the word "half-ass".
He is an active member of the Pittsburgh community and is a clubhouse leader.
On the field, he isn't bad either. His glove is noteworthy. He has been the runner-up the last four years in the NL gold glove race. IMO, he is the best in the league right now with the glove. Of course I am biased, but at the same time, I watch him all the time, and watch his great plays first-hand. If his hat didn't say "P" on it, I have to think that he would have won a few GGs by now.
He has traditionally been a pretty average hitter, but this off-season, he worked hard in the weight room to put on 10 pounds, and it has immediately paid dividends. He has hit 4 homers and is hitting .340. Not bad for a glove-only shortstop.
But he is one of those players who is always a little better with the bat than the stats would indicate. He is a great #2 hitter in the NL- he has a great ability to bunt, make contact, and move runner over.
If anyone has kids, don't have them emulate the guy who hits 40 home runs annually but is a head-case. Jack is a role model that every kid should emulate.
I think that I am probably merely expressing the opinions of my fellow Pirates' fans here, but for those non-Pittsburghers who did not know about Jack, it is about time you do.