Dominant former SF Giants closer apparently selling his World Series rings

Many SF Giants fans will remember dominant closer Brian Wilson and his massive beard from his time as a member of the team from 2006 to 2012. Apparently, the former Giant is selling his two World Series rings from his time in San Francisco.

A video on social media shows an auction account displaying two World Series rings that the person in the video says are Wilson's "personal" rings from the two championship teams that he was part of in 2010 and 2012. Plus, an article on an auction website is also advertising Wilson's two rings as part of the "Brian Wilson Collection" which also includes jerseys and gloves from Wilson.

Former SF Giants closer Brian Wilson apparently selling World Series rings

Obviously, Wilson has his reasons for wanting to sell his World Series rings. One hopes that it is not because he is angry with the Giants or is disavowing all of the great things he did in a Giants uniform. Perhaps he just needs some money which is understandable considering the last time he pitched in MLB was back in 2014.

Wilson was one of the most elite closers in the game while he was in San Francisco. He was an All-Star in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and from 2008 to 2011 he recorded an impressive 163 saves.

The eccentric and often hilarious pitcher was a massive part of the team's 2010 championship run. In the regular season he had a phenomenal ERA of 1.81 in 74 and 2/3 innings pitched. He converted a league-leading 48 saves and struck out 93 batters. That was also the year he began growing his legendary and fearsome facial hair that inspired the phrase "Fear the Beard."

Then, he followed up that phenomenal All-Star campaign with a dominant showing in the playoffs. In 10 games and 11 and 2/3 innings pitched, he did not allow a single earned run and recorded six saves, three of which were in the clinching game of the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series.

In the NLCS, Wilson threw one of the most perfect back-door cutters you will ever see to punch out star first baseman Ryan Howard and send the Giants to the World Series. Then he was on the mound to close out the World Series in Game 5 by striking out Nelson Cruz and delivering the first World Series title to the Giants since their move to San Francisco.

Unfortunately, Wilson was not really a part of the 2012 World Series team because he got injured early in the season and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. Then, the Giants did not bring him back in free agency so he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and publicly yelled at Giants CEO Larry Baer.

Eventually, Wilson's anger at the Giants died down and he even threw out the first pitch of the team's home opener in 2018 and was there in 2019 for manager Bruce Bochy's retirement celebration.

It is unfortunate that he has decided to sell his rings, especially the 2010 one since the Giants may very well not have won that World Series without his contributions that year. Despite this, one hopes Wilson will still be a part of reunions and festivities at Oracle Park over the years because he was a great Giant and will always be a legend in the city of San Francisco.