Brian Downing

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Brian Downing
Designated hitter/Left fielder/Catcher
Born: October 9, 1950 (1950-10-09) (age 57)
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 31, 1973
for the Chicago White Sox
Final game
October 4, 1992
for the Texas Rangers
Career statistics
Batting average     .267
Home runs     275
Runs batted in     1,073
Teams
Career highlights and awards
  • All-Star (AL): 1979
  • Led AL in Walks (106) in 1987
  • Ranks 50th on MLB All-Time Walks List (1,197)

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.

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[edit] Chicago Years

Despite not playing well in high school and not making his Junior College team[1], Downing was signed as an amateur free agent by Chicago White Sox scout Bill Lentini on August 19, 1969. This early part of his career with the Chicago 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 3rd base. He hit only .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his second year, with only 7 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.

[edit] California Years

On December 5, 1977 Downing was traded along with Dave Frost and Chris Knapp to the California Angels for slugger Bobby Bonds and propects Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson. This trade allowed him to come home to Southern California and avoid the pressures of Chicago Fan’s expectations.[2] 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 which was good for 3rd in the American League. He also made the All-Star team for his 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, his hard work and steady hands allowed him to play the entire 1982 season without making an error. His contined weight training helped him hit 20+ home runs in 6 of 7 seasons from 1982-1988 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links