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Sports

Ex-Big-Leaguer Vance Wilson Right at Home with Cougars

Cougars Manager Vance Wilson makes his summer home in our neck of the woods.

During his eight-year Major League career, Vance Wilson lived in big cities like New York City and Detroit. Now, Wilson is beginning a new chapter in his baseball career as the manager of the , and is making himself comfortable in the Tri-Cities.

It’s fitting that Wilson started his managerial career in Kane County, because his Major League career started just a short trip away from Geneva at Wrigley Field, when he came into a game as a defensive replacement for the New York Mets. Wilson would play in New York for six seasons, followed by two seasons in Detroit.

As a big leaguer, Wilson served as a backup to two of baseball’s greatest catchers of all-time—MikePiazza and Ivan Rodriguez. He also accomplished a rare feat—playing in the World Series for two different teams. (Mets in 2000, Tigers in 2006.)

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Wilson worked to get back to the big leagues after suffering through injury but would later retire and get into coaching.

His decision to become a manager came in 2010, after retiring from baseball while with the Kansas City Royals organization.

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Like many who play the game for years, Wilson was itching to stay involved in the game. The Royals gave him a shot to get into coaching, and shortly after, named him the manager of their new Class A affiliate, the Cougars.

Once again, Wilson was back to the Chicagoland for his debut, only this time as a manager instead of aplayer.

“It’s awesome,” Wilson said. “I’m big on Chicago; it was one of my favorite places to play.”

Since first arriving to the Tri-Cities in the beginning of April, Wilson has set up his apartment—a temporary home during the baseball season. He currently resides on St. Charles’ south side, right by the Geneva city line. Like any Minor League manager, Wilson works a long day at Elfstrom Stadium, but has found time to check out Geneva’s vibrant downtown.

“I love it,” Wilson said of Geneva. “It’s easy to get around, it has a small town feel, but being a suburb ofChicago, it’s got big city stuff. It’s easy to get around, which I like.”

Like most Geneva residents, Wilson has become enamored with downtown Geneva restaurants, such as , and .

“You’ve got all the flavors of St. Charles and Geneva,” said Wilson. “We’ve had a lot of day games, so we’ve been able to go to dinner. I like it.”

Another positive that stands out for the Cougars’ new skipper is being in a sports-crazy environment like Geneva, and the entire Chicagoland. Wilson enjoys the exciting baseball rivalry in Chicago, and the success of Chicago’s professional teams. That combination makes this a perfect place for Wilson.

“For this to be your first spot, it’s much better to be here than, say, where (the Royals’ former Class A affiliate used to be located) in Burlington, where you don’t have the big-league teams around you or big-market sports.”

The Cougars have battled the elements early in the year, but currently own a 7-9 record. Meanwhile, a cast of new players and coaches are growing accustomed to playing ball at Elfstrom Stadium, and to life in Geneva. However, the Cougars’ players and coaches agree, Geneva is a great place to work.

“I got really lucky to get this as my first gig,” Wilson said.

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