Mookie Wilson Biography

William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson, born February 9, 1956, played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and coach for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. He is most recognized for hitting the ground ball that rolled through Bill Buckner's legs during the 10th inning of game six in the 1986 World Series. In the mid-1970s, South Carolina State University, located near his hometown in Orangeburg, discontinued its baseball program just days after he signed a letter of intent. The decision to pursue professional baseball paid off when he was selected in the second round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. Wilson earned a B.S. degree from Mercy College, completing his academic studies during his professional career. In four seasons within the Mets' farm system, he batted .284 with 22 home runs, 184 runs batted in, and 160 stolen bases, winning International League Rookie of the Year in 1979. Though he started with a 0 for 8 record, manager Joe Torre retained him in center field for 26 of the 31 remaining games on the Mets' schedule.