Brian Downing

Brian Jay Downing (born October 9, 1950 in Los Angeles, California) is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers. Known for his hard work and hustle, he transformed his body and career through weight training and became a testament to baseball fans around the country to the power of hard work in overcoming odds. Although Downing did not play well at Magnolia ... more

Brian Jay Downing (born October 9, 1950 in Los Angeles, California) is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers. Known for his hard work and hustle, he transformed his body and career through weight training and became a testament to baseball fans around the country to the power of hard work in overcoming odds. Although Downing did not play well at Magnolia High School in Anaheim, California, and failed to make the team at Cypress College, Chicago White Sox 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. He hit only .225 as a rookie catcher (1974), and .240 in his second year, with only seven home runs in 138 games. Nor was his defense exceptional. There was no... less