Brian Jay Downing (b.
October 9, 1950 in
Los
Angeles
, California
) is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago
White Sox, California Angels
and Texas Rangers.
Known for his hard work and hustle, he transformed his body and
career through weight training and became a testament to baseball
fans around the country to the power of hard work in overcoming
odds.
Chicago Years
Although
Downing did not play well at Magnolia High School in
Anaheim,
California
, and failed to make the team at Cypress College, Chicago White Sox scout Bill Lentini
signed him as an amateur free agent on August 19, 1969. His
early career with the White Sox (1973-1977) was not so promising.
On the first pitch of his first inning in his first Major League
game, he severely damaged his knee making a diving catch near third
base. He hit only .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his
second year, with only seven home runs in 138 games. Nor was his
defense exceptional. There was no reason to think Brian Downing had
a long career in front of him.
California Years
On December 5, 1977, the White Sox traded Downing, along with
Dave Frost and Chris Knapp, to the
California Angels for slugger
Bobby Bonds and prospects
Thad Bosley and
Richard Dotson. This trade allowed Downing to
come home to
Southern California
and avoid the pressures of Chicago fans' expectations. It gave
Downing’s career new life. Although his 1978 numbers were
uninspiring (.255 batting average, 7 HR, 46 RBI), in the offseason
he committed to serious weight training and in 1979 dramatically
changed his batting stance, and hit an impressive .326 (third in
the
American League). He also made
the AL
All-Star
team for the first and only time. A broken ankle in 1980 forced him
to move from catcher to the outfield beginning in 1981 because his
offense was so valuable. Although his range was not great for an
outfielder, Downing's hard work and steady hands allowed him to
play the entire 1982 season without making an error. His continued
weight training helped him hit 20+ home runs in six of the seven
seasons from 1982 to 1988 and made him an inspiration for fans
throughout Southern California.
In 1985 Downing played himself when Louise Jefferson snuck into the
Angels' locker-room looking for Reggie Jackson in an episode of
"The Jeffersons."
When he finally played his last game for the Angels after 13
seasons, he was their career leader in Games, At Bats, Runs, Hits,
Total Bases, Doubles, Home Runs, Runs Batted In, and Bases on
Balls.
On April 9, 2009, Downing was to be inducted into the Angels Hall
of Fame along with former teammate
Chuck
Finley before the start of the game that day. However, due to
the death of Angels rookie pitcher
Nick
Adenhart, the ceremony and game were postponed until August 27,
2009.
Texas Years
Downing played his final two seasons with the
Texas Rangers as a designated
hitter. He remained a productive hitter until retiring at age 41,
getting his last hit on the last day of the 1992 season – a single
off Angels’ pitcher
Bert
Blyleven.
He finished his career with a .267 average, 275 HR, 1073 RBI and
1188 runs scored. He was an American League All-Star in 1979 when
he hit .326 with 12 HR, 75 RBI and 81 runs scored. His best
all-around season came in 1982 when he hit 28 HR, had 84 RBI,
scored 109 runs and hit .281. Downing set single-season career
highs with 95 RBI in 1986 and 29 HR, 110 runs scored and an AL
leading 106 walks in 1987.
See also
References
External links
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