Known for his solid hitting and exceptional throwing arm, former Phillie Glenn Wilson became a fan-favorite in Philadelphia during his time in the red pinstripes - and is simply known as "Glenn-bo" to any fan who saw him play from 1984-87.
Wilson grew up playing baseball in Baytown, Texas during the 1960s-70s, eventually excelling on the field at Channelview High School, and later Sam Houston University, where he caught the eye of scouts from various major league teams. Ultimately, the Detroit Tigers selected Wilson in the first round of the 1980 MLB Draft (18th Pick), propelling him into the world of professional baseball. After spending some time in the minor leagues, Glenn made his major league debut on April 15, 1982, and became a regular fixture in the Tigers' lineup. It didn't take long for him to make an impact, as he finished his rookie season with an impressive .281 batting average, showcasing his ability to hit for both power and average and being named as the Tigers' "Rookie of the Year". Moreover, Wilson's exceptional defense in right field solidified his place in the team's starting lineup.
On March 24, 1984 Wilson was packaged with Catcher John Wockenfuss in a trade to the Phillies, for 1B Dave Bergman and eventual American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner, Willie Hernandez. While Wilson played well over four seasons with the Phillies, fans often refer to this trade as a "what-if" misstep as the Phils struggled to recapture the success of the early 1980s. 1985 was one of Wilson's most memorable seasons as he recorded personal bests in several statistical categories, including hits (167), runs batted in (102) and doubles (39), which earned him an appearance in the All Star Game. Glenn-bo is best remembered by Phillies fans for his throwing arm, when he led the National League in Outfield Assists from 1985-1987 (18, 19, 20 assists). The guy was awesome!
He was traded to Seattle in December 1987 with reliever, and future All-Star, Mike Jackson for Phil Bradley. In addition to his time with the Tigers, Phillies and Mariners, Wilson had stints with other teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros before retiring after the 1993 season.