Here is an edited transcript of Brian Wilson’s remarks to the media in the clubhouse before Sunday’s game with the Pirates:
I’m doing fine. I’m not down at all. The likelihood is that the season is over. We all know what structural damage is. The likelihood of me throwing again this year is minimal. I’ve obviously prepared for a different view of the game. I have an opportunity now to be a better teammate and watch other stories unravel and be more of a student of the game. I still have a lot to learn and I still have a lot to teach. By no stretch of the imagination is my journey over with here. This is just a mild bump in my road. Nothing has been really easy when I’ve pitched or lived so this is an opportunity for me to get a better arm, you know. How is that disappointing? I get to throw harder. I like it. I like my odds. Kruk and Kuip better watch out because I’ll be upstairs in the booth.
When did he realize something was seriously wrong?
2010, to be totally honest. I was pitching on borrowed time last year. Getting hurt sucks but 12 months from now I’ll most likely be pitching again no problem. I still will be a Giant. I’m just going to see a couple more doctors this week and make a final decision before the end of the week.
Having been through it before is he at ease he can come back with no problem?
I’m not worried about coming back at all, it’s not even a question. I’ll be back pitching. The thing I’m going to be disappointed about – I’m no slouch to working out, but I just know what I’m in for. It’s a grueling process but I’ve never shied away from hard work, from the opportunity to get better. I’ve got a full year to work on some stuff, provided that’s what needs to be happening. I’m not going to disappear. If I do have to rehab it will be here. I will be in the locker room. I know a lot of people are sad. Giants fans they look at this as like a huge loss but we have the best bullpen in the league and they’re going to fill in my role the best they can and I don’t think they’re going to falter whether I’m there or not. The other seven guys are really good. There are just going to be different responsibilities and more roles to be filled. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the savior and things are going to fall apart. Not at all.
Did he feel a pop on that 1-0 pitch the other day (to Tyler Colvin)?
Yeah, you could tell what pitch didn’t work well when thrown. I was still able to finish the inning and my mindset was OK, if it’s inflammation get out of your mess. If this is season-ending then your last pitch is going to be preserving Bumgarner’s win. I’m not walking off the mound a failure. That’s just how I pitch.
Would he do anything different since the World Series if he knew he’d get hurt?
Absolutely not. It’s not how I play baseball. I push it to the limits. I was able to help our team and do some great things last year regardless of how horrible it felt throwing a baseball. It didn’t matter. I play baseball because I like baseball. Not because of anything else.
It’s a year, no big deal. If I plan on playing forever then this is a small percentage of my career. Once I’m on the mound again next year I’m not going to look back on this and say man that sucked or woe is me. I don’t think that way, that’s selfish of me to get down because of my baseball problem. I’m not like that.
On his first Tommy John surgery:
The first time I got it I looked at as opportunity to throw harder. 21 year old kid gets to throw harder that’s awesome. The difficult thing is the monotony of all the exercises and the time it takes. It’s more mental anguish than physical anguish. You wake up and you have to do this work. OK, you complain about three minutes. And then you do your work. I did it once I’ll do it again.
I’ve got 24 best friends out there (He points around the clubhouse.) and the coaching staff, and you know what, I’ve got an entire city that’s my friend. I’m not going to be down. I’m a fan of baseball so I’ve got another 150-something games to watch. See what kind of story unfolds.
