Ultimate Mets Database - Memories of Vance Wilson

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Vance Wilson
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Memories of
Vance Wilson

Vance Wilson
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 287 of 1252 players

Vance Allen Wilson
Born: March 17, 1973 at Mesa, Ariz.
Throws: Right Bats: Right
Height: 5.11 Weight: 190

Vance Wilson was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on March 17, 2016.

First Mets game: April 24, 1999
Last Mets game: September 13, 2004

Share your memories of Vance Wilson

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Bob H.
April 8, 2001
Back down at Triple A again. he's a good receiver, works very hard, but probably doesn't have Pratt's power.

IslesFan
April 27, 2001
Is Vance ever going to get a real shot in the majors? I mean comeone 4 AB's in 3 option years is pathetic. If hes up here, USE HIM. If hes not gonna be used, what is he doing up?

murphy
May 25, 2001
Wilson was irate when the Mets put him on waivers this year. He basically said he was going to sign somewhere else and haunt the Mets. Well, there were no takers. It is a very bad sign when a catcher can't get any offers because every organization is constantly looking for catching. So, now he is back at Norfolk. I guess he is still haunting the Mets.

Ed Hearn
July 13, 2001
Based on what I've seen so far, it looks like Vance Wilson might be the backup catcher of the future for the Mets. Todd Pratt can't come within a foot of any pitches thrown to him and hasn't been too solid behind the plate, either. It appears Wilson might be able to hit a little at the major league level.

Joe Figliola
August 6, 2001
Vance Wilson is the real deal. If good things come to those who wait, then Met fans will enjoy his ability to call a game, hit with occasional power, and demonstrate toughness behind the plate (just like in the match against the D-Backs on 4 August) for years to come.

Walter
August 11, 2001
ance wilson should not only be our backup catcher of the future, he should start. It is time for mike piaza tomove to firts and put up even more monstrous numbers. Wilson can do a morethan adequate job behind the plate, him starting wouldimprove the Mets enormously and would help to get Todd Zeile out of NY.

cAr
September 1, 2001
hey! I met vance today, he is a really friendly guy and he stayed to sign everyones stuff at the game. I mean I called him and he came right over hehe and he had a conversation with me. and mike on the other hand....ignored me haha...and I can't forget he is a great catcher and batter. well thanx for reading this and vance is definitly one of the nicest Mets, him, mark johson and robin ventura ; )

Laila
May 26, 2002
Vance is my favorite player. A few days ago, my friend told me he was going to the met game, and I told him (as a joke) that if he saw Vance Wilson, he should tell him I love him (I do). Well, at the game, my friend was in the picnic area, and saw Vance! He walked up to Vance and said, "Hi, my friend Laila is like absolutely in love with you, so could you please sign this baseball to her?" So Vance blushed and smiled and said "sure". He signed the ball "to Laila, Vance Wilson #3" and said "tell Laila I say hi". I only hope I get to meet him at a game soon!

Andy from Rego Park
June 6, 2002
I am no fan of the Designated Hitter rule, but one has to wonder if the Mets would be a better team with Vance Wilson catching (and throwing out would-be base stealers at a better than 30% clip) and Mike Piazza being a full-time DH. Hopefully we'll get to see some of this during the 2002 AL ballpark inter-league games.

Stacey
July 7, 2002
I agree...I think the Mets would be somewhat of a better ball team with Piazza as a DH and Wilson catching. But you never know...Vance Wilson happen to be one of my fav players 2. He works hard behind the plate and I think he should have more chances to start. But then again its hard because you do have Piazza who is the Mets best player on the team.

Gregory Gewirtz
August 2, 2002
Please, as soon as they can, the Mets coaches should teach Wilson how to play first base, corner OF, and dare I suggest 3B?
He has a decent stick, but he'll never get any at-bats behind Piazza. Why can't Vance Wilson join the ranks of the other 30 major league catchers who can play another position, and become a more valuable player in the process?
He doesn't need to start 10 games a year at third, but turning him into a guy who can pinch-hit late and then play one inning of first or left, or someone who can start a few games in a row at another position if there's a few injuries would only help the Mets.

José Angel
December 27, 2002
I like Vance's intensity on and off the field. When the Mets signed Cliff Floyd his reaction was like "Oh my God, I can't believe it, I'm speechless...". This guy loves the Mets and loves baseball, and that's what we need. Too bad he is stuck under Piazza's shadow, but I'd rather have him there than Todd Pratt.

Anthony R
June 7, 2003
This guy can flat out call and catch a good game, and throw out runners like John Stearns did 25 years ago. He is also proving that his bat is not all that bad. If he has 450-500 at bats, then 15 homers and 60 rbi is not out of the question if Mike Piazza at first does his 30-110-.310 thing.

Phil Thiegou
December 14, 2003
Granted, the Mets sucked big time in 2003. However one of the few, and I do mean FEW good things about this season was seeing that Vance Wilson prove to be an everyday catcher after Piazza missed most of the season with his torn groin muscle. Most of the games I go to are either Saturday afternoon games after a Friday night or a Sunday afternoon game after a Saturday night game and that is when Piazza usually takes the day off and Vance catches. In the past that upset me, but after the way Wilson played this year, now it doesn't matter to me who catches. Granted, Wilson is not up to hitting that dramatic clutch home run, but the way he nails basestealers right and left, the Mets won't have to worry about being in that situation. 0n a lighter note, I met him, his wife and 3 year old daughter after a game and showed a picture of him to his daughter and asked her if this guy (Vance) was the best catcher in the world and better than that Piazza bum. She nodded her heard and said, "Uh-huh." His wife laughed and said that was very sweet of me. VANCE WILL AD-VANCE!

mimi
March 22, 2004
In the past few years we have stalked the Mets during Spring Training all over Florida, although my favorite player used to be Piazza, I'll have to confess it is now Vance Wilson. What a guy! He's an incredible player and a super sweet guy! He has always been gracious and accomodating, whether it's an autograph or a photo! I hope he has a great season and really hope he knows how many huge fans he has out there!

Richard
April 15, 2004
I remember Bobby Valentine's last game as Mets manager, the last day of the season in Sept. 2002. The Mets beat the Braves handily, and after the game, I was surprised to see that only a few players, and Valentine came out of the dugout to greet the fans. In past years on the last day of the season, Mets players usually acknowledge fans by throwing caps, bats and other items. Vance Wilson was one of only a few players to come out that day. He handed a young fan his shin guards, gave another his hat, threw another young girl his glove. He also gave away a bat. I thought that was very classy of him, and from that moment on, I've really become a big fan of his. The look on the kids' face when they received those items was really something special.

Sandee
April 20, 2004
My son has been handicapped since birth. He is in a wheelchair and cannot speak. My son was invited onto the field last year and Vance was quite taken with him. After spending five minutes with him and giving him an autographed bat he welcomed him back anytime. Well today we did and he got the same treatment. I'm not sure what his record is on the team but as a person it rates high. Thanks Vance

maureen
October 10, 2004
Vance is a great guy, I met him for the first time at a game last Sept. My friend was here from Australia and he was sooooooo friendly and nice to us. We attended many games that month and he was always friendly and took the time to say hello and talk to us. I met him again in Nov. We were both doing appearances for a charity event on Long Island. He made it a point to say hello and even took the time out to come over and meet a friend of mine. He is a great guy all around.

Jonathan Stern
December 15, 2004
Seemingly one of the few Mets of the last few years worth rooting for. Clearly a fine backup catcher. Now if only we had a real number one backstop.

Jeff In Florida
January 2, 2005
I am sorry to say but I have very little respect for Vance Wilson. I was at a Mets game in Miami against the Marlins in September of this year and Vance, ( I was sitting right in front of the Mets bullpen) cursed out a bunch of Marlins fans who were asking for autographs. He might be a hard nosed player but I think his is of the mold of Dave Kingman or Jerry Grote in terms of personality.

Victor
January 10, 2005
Vance was a class act. Detroit has gotten a great player.

Joe Figliola
January 14, 2005
Here's my favorite Vance Wilson moment:
In July, 2004, the Mets were playing the Phillies at Shea and they had a relatively big lead on them. The Phillies bring in a relief pitcher and Vance comes up to bat. Knowing that most hitters like to rip off on the first pitch from a new reliever, I yelled out, "Okay, Vance, listen to me; do not hit the first pitch."
Vance didn't listen. He jacked it to the left field bullpen for a home run. My friend Greg, amid the cheering, said, "Guess he didn't listen." "That's why I'm in the stands and not in the dugout," I replied.

Toni
March 15, 2005
Vance Wilson is probably the nicest guy in baseball. He doesn't let any of it go to his head and actually appreciated his fans. We would go to all the Mets spring training games. He would remember us every time. Would talk to us, and thank US for asking him for his autograph. Some other players I've tried to talk to or get an autograph from just walk around with a stick up their butt.
One time in particular, he was going to warm up on the field, and didn't have time to sign this new poster I got, but promised that he would sign for me first when he was done. A while later, when they were done, I couldn't find him, and then saw him signing autographs down at the end of the stadium. I walked over and waited patiently, not saying a word, but the second he spotted me [while signing for someone else] he said "I'm sorry, can you hold on a second? I promised to sign for my friend Toni here first." Remembered my name and all
He's such a great guy! Very down to earth. Vance is my favorite player, and I was devastated to hear he was traded. We'll miss you Vance! Hope to see you and your family again soon! Good Luck!

Jersey Bill
April 1, 2006
Vance has to be hands down my favorite player to watch. His intensity and love for the game are truly rare in the game today. He has always been great behind the plate but lacked a little with the bat. Something has changed this year... I watched him knock out two homers the other night and his average has stayed above .300 all spring. Lets hope he has finally made use of the power he really has and starts to excel. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a little Irish pub this spring. What a great guy. He seems like a real family man and absolutely devoted to his wife and daughter.

bryan from michagan
July 12, 2006
Vance Wilson is a very good catcher and a nice person. Last year I went to a Tigers game. They played the Mariners and I really want to be a baseball player and he was encouraging me and giving me tips. Thanks Vance!

scott r
March 9, 2009
Never met him so I can't say how nice he is, so I take peoples word for it. As for playing, I never thought he was anything special; he was a solid number 2 catcher who wouldn't hurt you when he played.