Red Wilson
Born: 3/7/1929 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
Died: 8/8/2014 in Fitchburg, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-09-22 | Final Game: 1960-09-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Robert James Wilson
Biography
Red Wilson, born in 1929, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1951 to 1960. Over the course of his career, Wilson participated in 602 games, where he showcased his skills at the plate and on the base paths. He finished his career with a batting average of .258, accumulating 455 hits, including 24 home runs and 189 runs batted in (RBIs). Known for his speed, he also recorded 25 stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to contribute to his team's offense in multiple ways.
Wilson played during a transformative era in baseball, following the integration of the sport and the emergence of new playing styles that emphasized athleticism and power. His contributions were significant for the teams he played for, as he provided reliable offense and versatility in the field. After retiring on September 24, 1960, Wilson left behind a legacy as a solid player who embodied the competitive spirit of baseball during the late 1950s. His career remains a testament to the dedication and resilience required to succeed in the major leagues.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 602 | 1765 | 206 | 455 | 84 | 8 | 24 | 189 | 25 | 215 | 163 | 0.258 | 0.338 | 0.355 | 0.694 | -705.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | CHW | AL | 4 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.273 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | CHW | AL | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | CHW | AL | 71 | 164 | 21 | 41 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 0.250 | -254.5 |
| 1954 | CHW | AL | 8 | 20 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.200 | 0.0 |
| 1954 | DET | AL | 54 | 170 | 22 | 48 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 3 | 27 | 12 | 0.282 | 0.0 |
| 1955 | DET | AL | 78 | 241 | 26 | 53 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 26 | 23 | 0.220 | -861.6 |
| 1956 | DET | AL | 78 | 228 | 32 | 66 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 38 | 2 | 42 | 18 | 0.289 | 759.6 |
| 1957 | DET | AL | 60 | 180 | 21 | 43 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 25 | 19 | 0.239 | -46.1 |
| 1958 | DET | AL | 103 | 298 | 31 | 89 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 29 | 10 | 35 | 30 | 0.299 | 379.3 |
| 1959 | DET | AL | 67 | 228 | 28 | 60 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 35 | 2 | 10 | 23 | 0.263 | -182.2 |
| 1960 | CLE | AL | 32 | 88 | 5 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0.216 | -342.5 |
| 1960 | DET | AL | 45 | 134 | 17 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 14 | 0.216 | -342.5 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 580 | 454 | 2884 | 236 | 33 | 41 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | CHA | C | 4 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | CHA | C | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1953 | CHA | C | 63 | 0 | 282 | 24 | 6 | 1 |
| 1954 | CHA | C | 8 | 6 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1954 | DET | C | 53 | 50 | 245 | 25 | 1 | 7 |
| 1955 | DET | C | 72 | 62 | 292 | 25 | 5 | 5 |
| 1956 | DET | C | 78 | 70 | 393 | 34 | 4 | 7 |
| 1957 | DET | C | 60 | 50 | 280 | 29 | 0 | 5 |
| 1958 | DET | C | 101 | 90 | 565 | 34 | 5 | 6 |
| 1959 | DET | C | 64 | 60 | 374 | 25 | 5 | 8 |
| 1960 | CLE | C | 30 | 27 | 163 | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| 1960 | DET | C | 45 | 39 | 229 | 17 | 5 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 580 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin at Madison | Madison | WI | 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 |