Brian Wilson First Pitch (Dodgers Game 2008)

[seltaeb1012002]

Pretty cool pic. Apparently it's from 2008. Anyone know if video circulates?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I thought Brian was right handed!

[zachrwolfe]

‍

[Jim V.]

Kind of hard to search Youtube for a video of "Brian Wilson pitching in 2008" for obvious reasons. 

Ha. You can't even Google "Brian Wilson beard" anymore without the pitcher gettin' all up in your bizness.

[GoodVibrations33]

Here is someone's flickr album of the pitch: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7992569@N08/sets/72157629300143071/

September 25, 2008

[Lowbacca]

Cool stuff.  

(One thing though: I don't know much about baseball but is one supposed to pitch the ball so.. er... high?  )

[STE]

His health sure has declined a lot since then..   

[Sheriff John Stone]

I kinda wish the Dodgers were playing the Giants that night (maybe they were) and the two Brian Wilsons could've posed for a picture together. I'm not sure which Brian Wilson has had more injuries the last couple of years...

[southbay]

wonder what was with the number 12 choice?

[southbay]

Cool stuff.  

(One thing though: I don't know much about baseball but is one supposed to pitch the ball so.. er... high?  )

If one is not in the shape of throwing a pitch 60 feet 6 inches everyday, esp. in front of a stadium full of people and you are also 66 years old, you better get some arc on it. Brian had a lot of guts throwing off the rubber as most folks do it from well in front of the mound...

[Mikie]

Brian looks like Fernando Valenzuela - the way he looks to the heavens upon release.  Left handed batters would be scared to death of this guy Wilson......

Reminds me of that other picture from '76 that I always liked. The bearded Bri with the Wilson glove next to his face. 

[Mikie]

wonder what was with the number 12 choice?

In '08, it was Jeff Kent's number.  Both Kent and Brian Wilson (Giants) are big Beach Boys fans - maybe Kent loaned him his jersey.

http://www.dodgersblueheaven.com/2012/12/celebrating-number-12-on-day-of-12s.htm

[southbay]

I knew Kent was 12, but I had no idea that he and Wilson were BB fans

[Mikie]

I knew Kent was 12, but I had no idea that he and Wilson were BB fans

Yeah, Kent was. And pitcher Brian Wilson is a huge fan. He's made numerous comments to the media about The Beach Boys over the years. I read where he acknowledged Brian as a legend and genius. A teammate once called Wilson (the pitcher) the "Legendary Brian Wilson", and he corrected him and said, "No, there's only one of those in the world"!

[Shady]

I had no idea this happened..

Thanks for the pic

[Lonelysea30]

I think in the beautiful dreamer video, but not positive, Brian says he played baseball throughout high school and could hit the long ball pretty well, but sucked at hitting curve balls.

[NHC]

I thought Brian was right handed!

Maybe he got confused and was actually catching it. 

[NHC]

I kinda wish the Dodgers were playing the Giants that night (maybe they were) and the two Brian Wilsons could've posed for a picture together. I'm not sure which Brian Wilson has had more injuries the last couple of years...

That would have been a good pic. I think our (the Giants) Brian Wilson is going to go off to some other team. But we're keeping this one here - even if he does have a  . . . Dodgers jersey. . .  on.

[Amy B.]

Those who know baseball, what do you think? Does Brian have good form?

[Pretty Funky]

He shouldn't give up his day job.

[southbay]

Those who know baseball, what do you think? Does Brian have good form?

It's not bad for a (then) 66 year old.  And as I said above, almost nobody has the guts to throw the ceremonial first pitch from the actual pitching rubber, most folks go from about 15 feet in front of the mound. I played baseball in junior college and am 45 years old now.  If given the chance to throw out the first pitch at any game, much less one at Dodger Stadium in front of thousands, I'd think long and hard and take several practice sessions before throwing from the rubber,  so I give Brian major points for that

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

Okay, I love Brian Wilson.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Take a look at Brian on the large video screen behind. For some reason, he's on a split second delay, but that shot shows good throwing form. The Flicker photos also show Brian following through. So, yeah, he has good pitching motion, unlike many celebrities who throw like a girl, no chauvinistic offense intended. And, I need a life...

[Mikie]

It's hard to critique Brian's form without a video. A good pitcher will keep his eyes on the target (the Catcher). For some reason Brian is looking up, like he wants to throw the ball to somebody in the stands. That's why I made the comment above about Brian looking like Fernando Valenzuela, because his eyes use to look up before his delivery. Brian is what they call a "Southpaw" (a left-handed thrower). But yeah, for a 66 year old guy, his throwing arm is extended and his leg is stepping off the mound in the right direction! He's throwing off the rubber instead of the full wind up which is fine.....

What an honor for him to be throwing out the first ball! And another one last year to have the group on the field for the first game! The Dodgers really did it right!

P.S. I like the way the umpire in the picture is checking out Brian, like he's watching closely for a balk or something. Ha Ha!  

You can't see the Catcher on the big screen.

[Emdeeh]

Interesting that Brian writes with his right hand and is shown pitching with his left. Which makes me wonder if he's ambidextrous baseball-wise. Does anyone know of early photos of him pitching or throwing? How about his batting stance?