Brian Downing

Brian Jay Downing (born October 9, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 20 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers. He began his major league career as a catcher then, switched to playing as an outfielder and designated hitter for the remainder of his career.

Baseball career

Chicago White Sox (1973–1977)

Downing played at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, California, and was originally cut from his high school team. Although he was on the "taxi squad" as a bullpen catcher, he failed to make the team at Cypress College. But he had an impressive showing at an "all comers" Chicago White Sox tryout, and scout Bill Lentini signed him as an amateur free agent on August 19, 1969. His early career with the White Sox (1973–1977) was not so promising. On the first pitch of his first inning in his first Major League game, he severely damaged his knee making a diving catch near third base, sliding down the dugout steps and landing on the 60-day DL. He hit .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his second year, with seven home runs in 138 games.