January 8, 2009

Vance Wilson lashes elbow together with twine, tries to play baseball again

6 Comments
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By Samara Pearlstein

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photo by Samara Pearlstein

Blast from the highly injured past! It looks like Vance Wilson, backup catcher extraordinaire, sometimes known about these parts as "44th Round" in mostly-fond reference to his 1993 draft position, has signed a minor league deal with the Royals.

We all have warm memories of this old friend and his 2006 season, which was the last time he appeared in the majors. Yes, 2006, that heady year, when even the backup catcher batted over .280. Delicious.

Following the '06 season, of course, Wilson's elbow exploded, requiring Tommy John surgery on the same elbowy bits TWICE, in rapid succession. You have to admire it. Most 36-year-old catchers who had to undergo massive arm surgery and have been out of the game for two full seasons would probably figure it's about time to hang up the good ol' sneezeguard, but Vance Wilson will not be denied.

Hilarious interlude: Have you always secretly (or not so secretly) wanted to own a pair of VANCE WILSON GAMEWORN PANTS? Starting bid of $19.99 on eBay right now! The perfect gift for that weird, creepy, and cheerfully tacky scarily obsessive Tigers and/or Mets fan in your life.

I kind of wish the Tigers had signed him; if he does manage to come back it would have been fun to see him do it in the Tigers system. I suppose he has a slightly better chance of actually making it up to the big club if he plays for the Royals, though.

So here's to you, Vancepants! Best of luck to you, your career, and your elbowy bits in 2009.

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, MLB

Discussion

6 Comments on "Vance Wilson lashes elbow together with twine, tries to play baseball again"

#1

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Posted by ivancetopumpyouup (ha ha ha), January 8, 2009 2:13 AM

VANCE WILSON WILL NOT BE DENIED! Indeed.

Okay, I would not pay $19.99 for pants somebody else's already worn. Not even Vance's. Jersey? Yes. I don't know even what the difference is, all things considered.

I was really hoping the Tigers would resign him to a minor league deal, but I can understand why they ddn't want to take the risk / block their young catchers. Still, though. *snff*

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

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#2

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Posted by Samara Pearlstein, January 8, 2009 2:22 AM

I think the difference is, quite clearly, that the jersey has not been tucked in around some of his more unfortunate sweaty bits... :P

Young catchers? Surely you jest! Heh, he would get plenty of playing time at triple-A, but I guess Dusty would get called up before he would, so maybe that's why the Royals are a better fit for him.

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#3

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Posted by ivantopumpyouup, January 8, 2009 5:10 AM

Young catchers? Surely you jest! Heh, he would get plenty of playing time at triple-A, but I guess Dusty would get called up before he would, so maybe that's why the Royals are a better fit for him.

You're probably right. Plus, I think the Royals' Double A team is located in Arkansas, which is where he lives, so that might have been a factor.

No, I do not know more about Vance Wilson than a person should! :P

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#4

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Posted by Paul M, January 8, 2009 5:46 AM

OMG, OMG... I just saw an "April in the D" promo running on FSND. I thought I'd seen the last of that, they were soliciting people to make new music for their promos and playing the repetitious "April in the D! April in the D!" again. Eeep!

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#5

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Posted by heitk1le, January 9, 2009 7:04 PM

Good luck, Vance. We will miss you - but we've really been missing you the last two seasons. Better luck in KC (but, as "IVANCE" said, just not against the Tigers).

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#6

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Posted by Lauren (femaletrumpet02 from Flickr), January 15, 2009 12:42 AM

I'll miss Vance doing his thing down at Comerica this coming season, but maybe I'll see him when KC comes to town

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