Former Major League All Star Returns to Barrington to Honor Coaches

Seattle Mariners Hall of Famer and Barrington High School Graduate (’87) Dan Wilson will be the keynote speaker at the Barrington High School (BHS) Baseball Booster Club Banquet March 2, 2013.

Wilson enjoyed a 19-year major league career as one of the game’s outstanding catchers including an appearance in the 1996 All Star Game. He was 23 years old when he broke into the big leagues on Sept. 7, 1992, with the Cincinnati Reds. He joined the Mariners in 1994 and retired from the Seattle team in 2005. At BHS, Dan was a four-year BHS varsity player from 1984-1987 and still holds the school’s record for most pitching wins, shut outs and strikeouts.

In addition, legendary BHS baseball coach Kirby Smith will receive the inaugural Kirby Smith BHS Baseball Award of Excellence for extraordinary service and commitment to the baseball program. Kirby coached BHS baseball for 22 years. Other honorees receiving Distinguished Service Awards will include former coaches: Jim Hawrysko, Ray Piagentini, David Engle, and Jim Larson.

“We are thrilled that Dan Wilson will be returning to BHS to help honor his former head coach Kirby Smith and his pitching coach Dave Engle,” said Booster President John Sciaccotta. “This should be a memorable evening for all friends and families of the Barrington High School baseball program. Donations and support from the community will help enable us to ensure that Barrington continues to field one of the premier high school programs in the state.”

The banquet and silent auction is the major annual fundraiser for the baseball booster group. Proceeds from the event will go toward: upgrades to all fields including fence caps, turf mats, pitching machine; radar gun and baseballs; wind screens for the outfield and to enclose the stadium; refurbishing dugouts; and, renovations to the grandstand.

Banquet Detail

Tickets for the evening are $35 per person and should be ordered by February 23 for the dinner to be held March 2 beginning at 6:00 pm at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer. For more information and to order tickets or donate to the silent auction, please visit the BHS Baseball Booster Club website

Additional Information on Guests and Honorees

Kirby Smith had a 539-196 varsity record at BHS over 22 seasons. He had seven trips downstate, six sectional, nine regional and 14 MSL North or MSL championships. His Legion teams won 875 games over 30 years from 1968-1998. His teams won seven American Legion state titles and his 1979 Legion team was 3rd in the Nation. He won 1,655 games from 1968-1998. Over 100 of his players went on to play college baseball. Thirteen members of his teams played at various levels of professional baseball.

Dan Wilson was a four-year BHS varsity player from 1984-1987. His career batting average was .414. His pitching record was 31-3 appearing in 44 games and his ERA was 1.75. He led the BHS state champs in 1986 as a junior, and was a second place finisher in 1987 as a senior. He holds the BHS records for most pitching wins, 14 in 1987, shutouts-4 in 1987 and most strikeouts- 155 in 20 games in 1987. He went on to a stellar collegiate career at the University of Minnesota and an outstanding professional career with the Seattle Mariners. 

This news release was submitted by Barrington High School Baseball Boosters.