C.J. Wilson, #36, Relief Pitcher

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Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Bats: L Throws: L
Born: Nov 18, 1980 - Newport Beach, CA
College: Loyola Marymount
Drafted: 2001 - 5thRound by the Texas Rangers

Pitching Stats over the past 3 Seasons:

Career 134 Games, 6 games started, 5 wins, 12 losses, 14 saves, no complete games or shutouts, 160.2 innings pitched, 152 hits allowed, 87 runs allowed, 80 earned runs allowed, 16 home runs allowed, 69 walks, 136 strikeouts, 4.48 career ERA, .252 batting average against    

When the game hangs in-the-balance in the 9th inning, the Rangers in 2008 will hand the ball to relief pitcher C.J. Wilson, the team's new "closer".

The left handed Wilson entered spring training as the front runner to become the Rangers' closer in '08. After strong performances (including overcoming a case of biceps tendinitis) in Surprise, Arizona, manager Ron Washington officially named Wilson the closer on March 28th. Wilson will start the new season the way he ended the 2007 season: taking the mound when a game is on-the-line. After assuming the closer's role towards the end of last season following the trade of Eric Gagne, Wilson converted 12 of 14 save opportunities and allowed opponents to bat only .208 against him. His earned run average last season was a career-best 3.03.

But Wilson's statistics tell only part of the story of Christopher John Wilson. The team's most quirky and colorful personality (and we're not just referring to his blue baseball glove or multiple body tattoos), Wilson is happy to talk baseball, music, politics or religion with reporters, fans, or visitors to his blog site or MySpace page. He is a devoted Taoist and adheres to a "Straight Edge" way of life (in which one abstains from alcohol, illegal drugs, and promiscuous sex in order to maintain a healthy and poison-free body).

To demonstrate his pride of being Straight Edge, C.J. has the words "Straight Edge" tattooed along the length of his torso, Japanese characters on his shoulder that read "Poison Free" and "XXX" stitched on his glove as a straight edge symbol. He has traveled extensively, including visits to China, Japan and Europe. "Traveling" as well as "surfing" are some of his listed "hobbies/interests". Music and, in particular, the video game "Guitar Hero" are of particular interest to Wilson. In fact, in May 2007, the Rangers promotional night for the "C.J. Wilson Bobble Head" doll featured Wilson in t-shirt with a guitar rather than a Rangers uniform and baseball glove.

A bachelor, Wilson is roommates with Rangers teammate Kameron Loe (and Kameron's pet snake).
On the mound, Wilson has tinkered with throwing the "gyroball", a pitch used by frequently in the Japanese professional baseball by pitchers including the likes of former Japanese star (and current Red Sox pitcher) Daisuike Matsuzaka. The gyroball has a bullet-like spin and is created by a pitcher rotating his arm so that it moves away from his body, creating an unusual spin on the ball.

Wilson was born and raised in California. After attending Fountain Valley High School (graduating 1998), he played at Santa Ana Junior College where in 2000 he was awarded MVP of the Orange Empire Conference, and the California Junior College Co-Player of the year award. Wilson played outfield, first base, started and relieved at Loyola Marymount University during
the 2001 season.

Wilson was drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft. After starting the 2001 season in Pulaski of the Appalachian league he was promoted to Class A with Savannah. Moving though High-A Port Charlotte (Florida State League) and into Double-A Tulsa (Texas League) by late 2002. For 2003 Wilson returned to Double-A in Frisco of the Texas League, earning Pitcher of the Week honors in May. Up and down season was cut short due to injury when Dr. Lewis Yocum performed season ending 'Tommy John' elbow surgery on August 12.

After missing all of 2004 due to the elbow injury, Wilson was able to return to Double-A in 2005 before being called up to the majors in June, '05. He posted a 1-7 record and 6.94 ERA in 24 games during his rookie campaign with the Rangers. Later in the season Texas placed him in the bullpen full-time where he went 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA in 18 relief appearances. Wilson started the 2006 season on the 15 Day-Disabled List with a strained hamstring before returning to the team going 1-2 with a 5.16 ERA with the Rangers before getting optioned to Triple A on June 1. While in the minors, he went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA with two saves, and in 11 innings, he struck out 17 and walked five in nine appearances. After being recalled July 18, Wilson ended the season strong, posting second half numbers of a 3.29 ERA in 24 2/3 innings and 27 appearances and ending the season as the team's top lefthanded setup man, posting a 2-4 record and 4.06 ERA overall for Texas. He proved especially tough against lefties, with an ERA of 1.77 with 19 strikeouts in 20⅓ innings. In 2007, he took over the "closer" role after the Rangers traded closer Eric Gagne to the Red Sox.

A fun way to keep up with Wilson during the baseball season is to check out his MySpace page, or log onto his blog ("Scorpion Tales: C.J. Wilson's Trek Across the Blogosphere") at cjwilson.mlblogs.com.