Brian Downing

Infobox MLB retired
name=Brian Downing
position=Designated hitter / Left fielder / Catcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1950|10|9
Los Angeles, California
debutdate=May 31
debutyear=by|1973
debutteam=Chicago White Sox
finaldate=October 4
finalyear=by|1992
finalteam=Texas Rangers
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.267
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=275
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=1,073
teams=
* Chicago White Sox (by|1973-by|1977)
* California Angels (by|1978-by|1990)
* Texas Rangers (by|1991-by|1992)
highlights=
* All-Star selection (1979)

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

Despite not playing well in high school and not making his Junior College team [Halo Magazine, Vol.1 Bk.1, 1986] , Downing was signed as an amateur free agent by Chicago White Sox scout Bill Lentini on August 19, 1969. His early 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.

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 prospects Thad Bosley and Richard Dotson. This trade allowed him to come home to Southern California and avoid the pressures of Chicago fans' expectations. [Halo Magazine; Volume 1, Book 1 1986] 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 continued 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.

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.

ee also

* Top 500 home run hitters of all time
* List of major league players with 2,000 hits
* List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
* List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

References

External links

*baseball-reference|id=d/downibr01
*imdb|1822135