C.J. Wilson
Former MLB pitcher and current auto racing team owner
Christopher John Wilson (born November 18, 1980) is an American auto racing team owner and former professional baseball pitcher. Wilson pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers from 2005 to 2011 and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2012 to 2015. He is the founder and owner of sports car team CJ Wilson Racing, which competes in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge full-time and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship part-time.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Right-handed starting pitcher
- Angels tenure
- 2000–2005
- Signature achievement
- 2002 World Series Champion (Angels over Giants)
- Known for
- Elite curveball
- upper-90s fastball
- power stuff
- Post-angels stops
- Boston Red Sox
- New York Mets
- Seattle Mariners
- Status
- Retired MLB pitcher
Lore & Background
Wilson attended Fountain Valley High School (graduating in 1998), then played at Santa Ana College where in 2000 he was named MVP of the Orange Empire Conference and awarded the California Junior College Co-Player of the Year award. He played outfield, first base, starting pitcher, and relief pitcher at Loyola Marymount University during the 2001 season. Wilson was drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round (141st overall) of the 2001 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2005 and later signed a five-year, $77.5 million deal with the Angels on December 8, 2011. Wilson ended his career after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in July 2016.
Reader's Guide
Wilson's pitching repertoire included a four-seam fastball (90–93 mph), a two-seam fastball (90–93), a cutter (88–91), slider (83–85), curveball (77–80), and changeup (84–87), thrown from a 3/4 arm angle. He hardly ever threw his changeup against left-handed hitters, while his slider was much more commonly used against lefties. Wilson said he attempted to keep opponents' batting average on balls in play down by using his pitch mix a certain way and taking into account his defense's alignment.
Did You Know?
- Wilson was a two-time MLB All-Star (2011, 2012).
- He led the American League in games started (34) in 2011.
- Wilson threw a complete game win against the Kansas City Royals on May 7, 2010.
- He has the words 'Straight Edge' tattooed across his torso and Japanese characters on his shoulder that read 'Poison Free'.
- Wilson married Brazilian model Lisalla Montenegro on December 15, 2013; their wedding guests included professional wrestlers CM Punk and AJ Lee.
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