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Good Journey, Vance Wilson

Vance Wilson's career with the Detroit Tigers already appeared to be over, with him blowing out his elbow while trying to rehabilitate from blowing it out the first time.  That, and the Tigers signing not one, but two catchers this offseason.  (You remember the offseason, right?  Back when stuff was happening?  Sometime in early December?)  And don't forget future catching help possibly on the rise with Dusty Ryan and Alex Avila.

So even if Wilson was interested in continuing his rehab in the Tigers' organization, there just wasn't a place for him.  But he found someplace else.  Wilson signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals today, according to our buddy Sam Mellinger.  He's expected to continue that rehabilitation throughout this coming season, and won't be in camp with the major leaguers during Spring Training. 

And so ends a relationship with a player who reminded us just how important a back-up catcher could be.  In 52 games during the 2006 season, hit .283/.304/.441 in 168 plate appearances, the best numbers of his career.  And perhaps no hit was bigger for Wilson than the eighth-inning, two-run homer he smacked off Johan Santana, breaking up a scoreless duel with Justin Verlander in a key mid-May game.  More important, of course, was the solid defense and game-calling he provided.

Signing with an AL Central rival, however, means that maybe we'll get to see Wilson again in the future.  So we won't say goodbye, but good journey.  Just take it easy with that rehabilitation, Vance.  A third Tommy John surgery on that right elbow probably will not be the charm.

(via MLB Trade Rumors and Motor City Bengals)

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I’m glad he found a team that wanted him, even if it’s a minor league deal. The appeal of playing close to home was probably a big factor too. He became my favorite Tiger for a few seasons, and I’ll always remember that Santana homer.

Good luck, Vance (but not against the Tigers).

by ivantopumpyouup on Jan 7, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ian, you’re all over it with great references as usual. The Good Journey MOTU line following up Nicholson’s Joker “Think About the Future”.

Hopefully our team gives us something to talk about in the pen here shortly.

Best of luck to Vance. He handled it all very well.

by rook34 on Jan 8, 2009 12:23 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I’m glad to see someone else’s head is in the same geek place as mine. Outed! :-)

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 8, 2009 12:32 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'd kill (not really) for a...

“He also had a tremendous singing voice” reference. A good creepy Off the Rails Jack as Joker photo would be hilarious too. At least to me.

A Lundgren pic for this thread probably would have gone by the boards. I don’t know too many people who admit to having seen that flick.

by rook34 on Jan 9, 2009 12:01 AM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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