William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played with the New York Mets (1980-89) and Toronto Blue Jays (1989-91). He was a switch-hitter, known for his impressive speed and positive attitude. Fans would frequently chant "Mooooo-kie" in appreciation of him.
Born in Bamberg, South Carolina, Wilson played college baseball at University of South Carolina.
In twelve seasons, Wilson was a .274 hitter with 67 home runs, 438 RBI, and 327 stolen bases in 1403 games. Wilson has held the Mets career records for career stolen bases (281) and career triples (62).
Wilson is the batter who, in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, avoided being hit by a wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score in the bottom of the 10th. His ground ball later in the same at bat went through the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner, allowing the winning run to score. Wilson was traded in 1989 to the Blue Jayas.
Wilson was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2005, Wilson managed the single A team Brooklyn Cyclones. Previously, he managed the Rookie League Kingsport Mets team and was a coach for the New York Mets from 1997 to 2002. In 2011, Wilson was the first base coach for the Mets.
