Rick Wilkins (baseball)
Rick Wilkins | |
---|---|
Catcher | |
Born: Jacksonville, Florida | June 4, 1967|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
June 6, 1991, for the Chicago Cubs | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 3, 2001, for the San Diego Padres | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .244 |
Home runs | 81 |
Runs batted in | 275 |
Teams | |
Richard David Wilkins (born June 4, 1967) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played eleven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1991 and 2001 for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres.[1]
Early life
Wilkins was born in Jacksonville, Florida. While growing up, he graduated from The Bolles School where he was a district champ in both baseball and football his senior year of high school in 1985. Received an athletic scholarship from Furman University.
Baseball career
Rick was selected in the 23rd by the Chicago Cubs in the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to his call to the big leagues Wilkins was rated the 70th best prospect by Baseball America and at the age of 24 he made his major league debut on June 6, 1991. By 1993 he was named the opening day catcher of the Chicago Cubs where he played in 136 games while posting a batting average .303 and clubbing 30 homeruns along with 76 RBI’s making him the 4th member of the .300/30 club for catchers in Major League Baseball history. Since then 5 more members have made the elusive club. On October 3, 2001 Wilkins ended his professional playing career going 1 for 1 with 2 RBI’s with the San Diego Padres.
Life outside baseball
Wilkins, in-light of his sister Trish, who was born with cerebral palsy established The Rick Wilkins Foundation in 1999 to provide expanded support of recreational opportunities for the developmentally disabled. Wilkins is also the owner/president of Rick Wilkins Academy of Baseball which through its mission statement wants to provide a positive, goal-oriented experience, in an environment that is professional, ethical and fun, where people of all ages and abilities can learn life lessons and create lasting memories through the games of baseball and softball.
References
- ^ "Rick Wilkins Statistics and History". "baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Major League Baseball catchers
- Chicago Cubs players
- Houston Astros players
- Furman Paladins baseball players
- Seattle Mariners players
- San Francisco Giants players
- New York Mets players
- Los Angeles Dodgers players
- St. Louis Cardinals players
- San Diego Padres players
- Baseball players from Florida
- 1967 births
- Living people
- Geneva Cubs players
- Peoria Chiefs players
- Winston-Salem Spirits players
- Charlotte Knights players
- Iowa Cubs players
- Jackson Generals (Texas League) players
- Tucson Toros players
- Tacoma Rainiers players
- Norfolk Tides players
- Albuquerque Dukes players
- Memphis Redbirds players
- Portland Beavers players
- Joliet JackHammers players
- Sportspeople from Jacksonville, Florida
- Bolles School alumni
- FSC Jacksonville Blue Wave baseball players