Rick Wilkins (baseball)

Richard David Wilkins (born June 4, 1967) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played eleven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1991 and 2001 for the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres.[1]

Rick Wilkins
Catcher
Born: (1967-06-04) June 4, 1967
Jacksonville, Florida
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 6, 1991, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
October 3, 2001, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
Batting average.244
Home runs81
Runs batted in275
Teams

Early life

Wilkins was born in Jacksonville, Florida. While growing up, he graduated from The Bolles School where he was a district champ in both baseball and football his senior year of high school in 1985. Received an athletic scholarship from Furman University.

Baseball career

Rick was selected in the 23rd round by the Chicago Cubs in the 1986 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to his call to the big leagues Wilkins was rated the 70th best prospect by Baseball America and at the age of 24 he made his major league debut on June 6, 1991. By 1993 he was named the opening day catcher of the Chicago Cubs where he played in 136 games while posting a batting average .303 and clubbing 30 homeruns along with 76 RBI’s making him the 4th member of the .300/30 club for catchers in Major League Baseball history. Since then 5 more members have made the elusive club. On October 3, 2001 Wilkins ended his professional playing career going 1 for 1 with 2 RBI’s with the San Diego Padres.

Life outside baseball

Wilkins, in-light of his sister Trish, who was born with cerebral palsy established The Rick Wilkins Foundation in 1999 to provide expanded support of recreational opportunities for the developmentally disabled. Wilkins is also the owner/president of Rick Wilkins Academy of Baseball which through its mission statement wants to provide a positive, goal-oriented experience, in an environment that is professional, ethical and fun, where people of all ages and abilities can learn life lessons and create lasting memories through the games of baseball and softball.

References
  1. "Rick Wilkins Statistics and History". "baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
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