Wilson's comeback off to perfect start

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RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Brian Wilson didn't know the drill. He had never started a game in the big leagues. He made three starts in the minors, all in 2004. So Wednesday night's start for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, his debut in the Dodgers' organization, was unfamiliar territory.

"I don't think I have enough time to get a game face on," Wilson said.

With the Giants, his game face wasn't applied until late innings, and it was unlike any other: a pitch-black beard, piercing blue eyes and a menacing glare that prompted an element of fear, often followed by a strikeout and a cross-armed salute that signified another converted save.

Now all that is property of the Dodgers, who signed him on July 30.

To some Giants fans who treasured the entire Wilson shtick, he defected to the dark side. In Wilson's mind, he simply accepted a job that was offered 16 months after his second Tommy John surgery. Either way, Wilson has turned the page on black and orange and converted to Dodger blue.

"I live in L.A.," said Wilson, 31, who also lives in San Francisco. "It's a great fit."

Ex-Giant Brian Wilson takes on the Lake Elsinore Storm in his first outing in the Dodgers' organization. Ex-Giant Brian Wilson takes on the Lake Elsinore Storm in his first outing in the Dodgers' organization. Photo: Alex Gallardo, Associated Press Photo: Alex Gallardo, Associated Press Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Wilson's comeback off to perfect start 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

If the reception at LoanMart Field was any indication, he'll be well-received at Dodger Stadium. Dozens of blue-clad fans rushed toward the left-field corner to watch his warm-ups in the bullpen, and dozens more waited outside the clubhouse door for autographs.

Locals said Wilson attracted far more attention than Matt Kemp or Hanley Ramirez when they were here for rehab assignments, and nobody seemed to mind that each time a Quake came to the plate, his picture on the scoreboard included a superimposed black beard.

"Plenty fine," Wilson said of his evening, which featured an eight-pitch first inning and no elbow issues. He retired the Lake Elsinore Storm's first three batters on two groundouts sandwiched around a six-pitch strikeout that came on a cutter. His fastball reached 91 mph.

The next stop is Triple-A Albuquerque, and Wilson was told he could make at least four more appearances before joining the Dodgers, who meet the Giants Sept. 12-14 in L.A. and Sept. 24-26 in San Francisco.

Wilson reflected fondly on his time with the Giants, which included three All-Star selections and 171 saves, third most in franchise history. He said he has no ill feelings despite reports he was upset they non-tendered him after last season, turning him into a free agent.

"I don't get attached to things like that," he said. "You don't pick me to play on the playground, then fine. I'll go do something else. I'm good. I understood the position they were in. It's a total business move. There's no hard feelings at all. I knew it was going to happen."

Asked what he could tell Giants fans who might not appreciate him in blue, Wilson said, "It was an honor to play for that crowd for that team for that long. It was a great chapter in my life. I'm extremely thankful for getting drafted. This is a new chapter in my life. The Dodgers are giving me a second chance to play baseball."

The Giants watched Wilson throw three times in recent weeks but made no offers. General manager Brian Sabean said Wilson "wanted to move at lightning speed. He wanted to make a fast decision." Obviously, the Dodgers had reasons to move faster than the Giants. Just check the standings.

"I had 16 months of rehab, and they had their guy," Wilson said of the Giants' faith in closer Sergio Romo, who closed out a World Series two years after Wilson did. "They've got their team. Both parties had to move on."

Pitching coach Dave Righetti was among the first to see Wilson throw, and that was by design.

"I've had only one pitching coach my whole life," Wilson said. "It's not like I'm going to call my neighbor's dad over to watch my mechanics. Rags, I asked him to come out and check me out, how he thought I looked, if he thought I was ready to compete. He took a look at me, gave me some positive feedback."

With the Dodgers, Wilson would help set up Kenley Jansen. On whether he could have accepted a similar role behind Romo, Wilson said, "I could've batted seventh, too. I could do whatever. I like to play baseball. I don't have ulterior motives. I'm not worried about any role. Throwing the baseball is the same in any inning."

In the ninth, few succeeded like Wilson, who'll be remembered by Giants fans for saving the final game in each of the 2010 postseason series and striking out Nelson Cruz to end the World Series.

His best memory?

"Probably the look on (Bruce) Bochy's and Rags' faces with two strikes in Texas," Wilson said. "I know they're eager to win this game, yet there's still a small amount of fright. I loved it. I glanced at them in the corner of my eye. I didn't want to make it obvious because there were a thousand cameras.

"I remember that. I remember everything. It's a great group of guys. And hearing they wished me the best just made me feel that much better because they understand. My teammates, my friends realize I'm just trying to make a comeback."

Wilson is coming back to a first-place team while his old mates are buried in last. No wonder the Dodgers had more interest than the Giants, and Wilson seems perfectly fine with how it played out. He's back in his element, after all. On the mound.