The 9th Inning: SF Giants closer Brian "THE BEARD" Wilson and notions of performance

Anybody who knows anything about me knows I love baseball. Sports on the whole are not my thing, but this is the one sport that has capture my attention. There is just something about it. I could watch baseball all day long. Partially this is because in my mind Baseball is singularly the best sport ever. But also because I think its a big performance.

Each baseball team has their season long story lines and because the baseball season starts in March and ends in late october with the World Series we get to see these story lines unfold to fruition. Many times these stories are archetypal. There is always the young rookie trying to make the team, who comes up for short stints, but finally comes up to stay. There is the rugged experienced veteran who finds a second wind that he rides to greatness once again. There is the overpaid veteran who sucks up money and playing time from the youngsters. There is the young phenom. The slugger. The Ace. And finally, my favorite: The Closer.

The closer is the guy who comes on to close out the 9th inning. His goal is to slam the door shut when the game is tight. Not only does he have to have good stuff, good command, he also has to have a presence on the mound. Some are more subtle. Some are more extravagant.

If you have ever talked to me about baseball, you know I am a huge San Francisco Giants fan. They won the world series this past year. It's been a good year for me. The Giants run to the World Series was very theatrical. They were the ragtag underdogs who made the unheralded run to the Fall Classic. They giants were lead by all the archetypal characters, but it is their closer that I want to draw your attention to.

Brian Wilson. Brian "The Beard" Wilson became a national story this past year. This is why: He puts on an act. This past year Wilson grew a massive beard, dyed it black, and wore his signature mohawk high. His piercing blue eyes appear to cut into the soul of the batter waiting on his pitch. He throws a high 90s fastball (sometimes hitting 100pmh), a slider, and a cut fastball, and this season he's worked on a 2-seam fastball as well. He is an imposing presence on the mound, inciting fans to start a campaign last season for opponents to : "FEAR THE BEARD." But it's all an act. It's all made up. He does it partially for the intimidation factor, to mess with his opponent. But it's all this huge performance, Brian Wilson is one of the friendliest guys on the team.

As of late, Wilson's act hasn't stopped when he steps off the field.
Here are some links:

Wilson and The Machine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ckloLGOgVo&feature=related
Wilson on Jim Rome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhi3SX0TAmw&feature=related
Wilson on George Lopez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQesL-G4jPE
Wilson on Leno: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrMsJTwG04k&feature=related
Wilson's ESPN Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4BO26nqPmM&feature=related

Wilson really is a performer. He is a theater artist. He is performing, we all know he is. He knows he is. But yet we cannot look away. He's entertaining. He's one of the reasons I love watching the Giants play. He's just a fun guy. I hope he continues his antics, his performance, and his style of play.

Clearly Brian Wilson enjoys the performance.