Brian Wilson

This past Friday, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/designated hitter Manny Ramirez abruptly retired.  He had been batting .059 in six games.  It was later revealed that he had once again tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was facing a 100-game suspension.  Instead of going through with the suspension, the controversial outfielder chose to end his career.

Brian Wilson Video Shows San Francisco Giants Closer's Beard Having a Life of Its Own

If you needed any further proof that San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson is from another planet, ESPN's latest This Is SportsCenter commercial has just confirmed it.

In the video, Wilson gives ESPN anchors an inside look at his "game face" and why opposing hitters do indeed "Fear the Beard."

The likelihood of Brian Wilson appearing on Opening Day at Chavez Ravine is doubtful after he was yanked from a bullpen session today.

Reports from ESPN are saying he felt a little discomfort and was told to stop.

Is this a setback?

Who are you asking?

According to Wilson, no, but then again this is Brian Wilson, and rarely do we see him stress publicly about anything, especially something as lowly as a strained oblique. It just doesn't fit his lumberjack persona.

Brian Wilson is hurt!

Let the madness begin.

Some headlines are already there, most of which are referring to buzz phrases like "oblique muscle" and "out for opener" and "former Beach Boy still playing guitar" and "PANIC PANIC PANIC."

I'm not exactly in panic mode yet.

If anyone has seen anything on Brian Wilson in the past year, you'll know that he actually tore his oblique muscle in his major league debut and then pitched another inning afterwards.

With Opening Day right around the corner, the San Francisco Giants got the news on Sunday that bearded closer Brian Wilson has a mild oblique strain that could keep him out for Opening Day and then some.

Although Brian Wilson vows to be ready for Opening Day, the reality is an oblique strain is nothing to take lightly, and don't think the Giants don't realize this.

Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt went throught the exact same thing last summer when he strained is left oblique. Affeldt would be held out of 23 games.

When the San Francisco Giants took Ryan Scoma in the 36th round of the 2009 amateur draft, the perpetual underdog from the Bay Area faced yet another uphill climb.

Baseball isn't quite the National Football League or the National Basketball Association where you can start looking for that job in sales or coaching if you don't get snapped up early.

But even the pearl doesn't make an extensive habit of rewarding those kids drafted in the waning rounds of its seemingly interminable entry event.

After being a San Francisco Giants fan since I was a little kid in 1962, and enduring so many disappointing failures, the 2010 season made it all worthwhile.  I was beginning to think the Giants winning the World Series would never happen in my lifetime. 

Although I am still basking in the afterglow of the Giants' first world championship in San Francisco, spring training is in full force.  The 2011 San Francisco Giants will be looking to defend their World Series title.

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Here’s an updated and expanded look at the 2011 closer rankings.

1.  Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants:  Wilson led the Majors in saves (48) last year while posting a 1.81 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 93 Ks.

What baseball fan doesn't love Brian Wilson of the San Francisco Giants?

I know I do.

He has elite talent on the mound and seems to understand that baseball is first and foremost entertainment before anything else.

Oh and he has the BEST beard in the universe. It rivals Tom Selleck's mustache for the most famous facial hair known to man.

Baseball fans rejoice; Spring Training started yesterday and the regular season is just a month and a half away.

With the season rapidly approaching, the closer situation of each team is becoming clearer. As one of the most important roles on a baseball team, a closer can be the difference between a good team and a championship one.

Interested to see which teams have shaky and stable closer situations? Read on.

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