There are so many storylines we can focus on with the Lumberjacks 4-3 win over the San Fernando Bears on opening day. We already touched on Gaajlimitz getting his first career hit on his first pitch seen in the big leagues. We could probably add another team news article about Alaric Wullenweber getting the win in his Portland debut. We didn't necessarily feel the Wullenweber story was all that note worthy as we expect many more wins from the future hall of famer and many articles to be written this season about him. Plus, it probably wasn't as noteworthy as what we're writing about here.
No, this article is about Frank Wilson. If you're asking yourself "Who is Frank Wilson" then you're probably justified. He's Portland's closer to open the season. "And he was not signed because of his last name" joked Sandy Mounds at the opening day press conference."
So who is Frank Wilson and why are we writing about him here? Well, we're writing about him because there hasn't been a team news written about him in at least 5 seasons. How do we know that? "Because he hasn't pitched in five years" added Mounds. "Not in the GBC. Not in the minor leagues. And definitely not in the BBA" concluded Mounds.
Nope, Frank Wilson hasn't thrown a professional pitch since the 2054 season when he pitched in both Rockville in the BBA and Dodge City in AAA. Was he injured during that time? Nope. Was he semi-retired, wife had a baby, just disinterested in the game?
"Nope, none of those" chimed Wilson. "I was at home in San Diego. Throwing a baseball. Staying loose and iin shape. Waiting for a phone call that never came. I waited by the phone for 5 years" laughed Frank to the tune of laughter in the press room.
So that's correct. Frank Wilson hadn't been a professional baseball player in 5 years. Portland called him up back in December and asked about the arm. "Arm feels great" said the 32 year old reliever. He was signed that day.
You'd expect a team to send Wilson to the minor leagues and get his bearings straight and work out the jitters from being away 5 years. Nah, not Portland. "I guess that's what spring training is for" said Frank. "To get those nerves out. But I didn't expect what happened tonight."
After 5 years away from the game and Portland leading 4-3 heading to the bottom of the 9th, Mons Raider called on Frank Wilson for the save. The man with 6 career saves in his career, all of which came back in 2052 with the Pikeman, took to the mound to try and record 3-outs on April 1 on Opening Day to give the team that gave him the call to comeback to baseball a chance to win a game.
So how'd it go? "Couldn't have gone any better" smiled Frank after the game. "1-2-3!"
Wilson secured the save on 6 pitches which included a strikeout on 3 pitches to the second batter he faced. Career save #7!
"Sometimes the publicity just creates its self" smiled Mounds to conclude the presser.
