Brian Downing
Encyclopedia
Brian Jay Downing is a former professional baseball
player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox
, California Angels and Texas Rangers
.
in Anaheim, California
, and was originally cut from his high school team. Although he was on the "taxi squad" as a bullpen catcher, he failed to make the team at Cypress College
. But he had an impressive showing at an "all comers" Chicago White Sox
tryout, and scout Bill Lentini signed him as an amateur free agent on August 19, 1969. His early career with the 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 third base, sliding down the dugout steps and landing on the 60 day DL. He hit .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his second year, with seven home runs in 138 games.
and Chris Knapp, to the California Angels for slugger Bobby Bonds
and prospects Thad Bosley
and Richard Dotson
. This trade allowed Downing to come home to Southern California
and avoid the pressures of Chicago fans' expectations. 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 (third in the American League
). He also made the AL All-Star
team for the 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, Downing's 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 six of the seven seasons from 1982 to 1988.
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, RBI, and bases on balls.
On April 9, 2009, Downing was to be inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame along with former teammate Chuck Finley
before the start of the game that day. However, due to the death of Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart
, the ceremony and game were postponed until August 27, 2009.
as a designated hitter. He retired 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.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, California Angels and Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Chicago Years
Downing played at Magnolia High SchoolMagnolia High School (California)
Magnolia High School is a public high school in Anaheim, California and is part of the Anaheim Union High School District. It serves approx. 1,763 students in grades nine through twelve. 71 percent of its students are Hispanic, 16 percent Asian, 11 percent Caucasian and 3 percent Black...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, and was originally cut from his high school team. Although he was on the "taxi squad" as a bullpen catcher, he failed to make the team at Cypress College
Cypress College
Cypress College is a community college located in Cypress, California. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education , transfer courses , and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degrees and certificates.-Overview:Cypress College's...
. But he had an impressive showing at an "all comers" Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
tryout, and scout Bill Lentini signed him as an amateur free agent on August 19, 1969. His early career with the 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 third base, sliding down the dugout steps and landing on the 60 day DL. He hit .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his second year, with seven home runs in 138 games.
California Years
On December 5, 1977, the White Sox traded Brian Downing, along with Dave FrostDave Frost
Carl David Frost is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6'6", 225 lb. right-hander was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 18th round of the 1974 amateur draft...
and Chris Knapp, to the California Angels for slugger Bobby Bonds
Bobby Bonds
Bobby Lee Bonds was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball from to , primarily with the San Francisco Giants...
and prospects Thad Bosley
Thad Bosley
Thaddis Bosley Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the California Angels , Chicago White Sox , Milwaukee Brewers , Seattle Mariners , Chicago Cubs , Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers ....
and Richard Dotson
Richard Dotson
Richard Elliott Dotson is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball in the 1980s. He is best noted for his 22-7 performance of , helping the Chicago White Sox win the American League West Division championship that season. Dotson finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award...
. This trade allowed Downing to come home to Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and avoid the pressures of Chicago fans' expectations. 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 (third in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
). He also made the AL All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team for the 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, Downing's 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 six of the seven seasons from 1982 to 1988.
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, RBI, and bases on balls.
On April 9, 2009, Downing was to be inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame along with former teammate Chuck Finley
Chuck Finley
Charles Edward "Chuck" Finley is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1986-2002 for three different teams, but pitched primarily with the California Angels...
before the start of the game that day. However, due to the death of Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart
Nick Adenhart
Nicholas James Adenhart was an American right-handed baseball starting pitcher who played two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
, the ceremony and game were postponed until August 27, 2009.
Texas Years
Downing played his final two seasons with the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
as a designated hitter. He retired at age 41, getting his last hit on the last day of the 1992 season – a single off Angels’ pitcher Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
.
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.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- 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