Jack Wilson is a former professional baseball player who played as a shortstop for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on December 29, 1977, in Westlake Village, California, and attended Thousand Oaks High School. Wilson was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the 1998 MLB draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he attended Oxnard College and played for their baseball team.
In 1999, Wilson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth round of the MLB draft and signed with the team. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2001 and played for the team until 2009. During his time with the Pirates, Wilson was known for his strong defensive skills and was a two-time National League Gold Glove Award winner in 2004 and 2005. He also had a career-high batting average of .308 in 2004.
In 2009, Wilson was traded to the Seattle Mariners, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs in 2011 before signing a minor league contract with the Braves in 2012. However, he was released by the team in May 2012 and announced his retirement from baseball.
Throughout his career, Wilson had a batting average of .265, hit 61 home runs, and had 426 runs batted in (RBIs). He was also known for his durability, playing in at least 140 games in six seasons.
After retiring from baseball, Wilson became a coach and worked with various teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves. He also started a baseball academy in his hometown of Thousand Oaks, California, where he teaches young players the skills and techniques he learned throughout his career.
In addition to his baseball career, Wilson is also known for his philanthropic work. He and his wife, Julie, founded the Jack Wilson Family Foundation, which supports various charities and organizations that help children and families in need. The foundation has donated to organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Overall, Jack Wilson had a successful career as a professional baseball player, known for his strong defensive skills and durability. He has since become a coach and philanthropist, using his experiences to help others both on and off the field.
⚾