Wilson, the Pirates' shortstop, was critical of the latest trade in the organization's rebuilding plan. Popular outfielder Nyjer Morgan was swapped Tuesday for not-so-popular Lastings Milledge, who is on his third team in a brief and unremarkable four-year career.
Morgan was packaged with reliever Sean Burnett and the Pirates received reliever Joel Hanrahan with Milledge. This trade came after outfielder Nate McLouth was dealt to Atlanta for prospects and pitcher Charlie Morton June 3.
Wilson blasted the organization, claiming he was "beyond, beyond tired of such moves." He knows when the white flag on a season is being hoisted.
"It's tough for the guys who've been here and have seen these trades happen and absolutely do nothing," Wilson said several hours after the deals were made. "I've seen these trades two or three times a year and we still haven't had a winning season."
Wilson might see a winning season next year, but not if he's with the Pirates. He is expected to be traded at the deadline or politely told to move on if his $8.4 million dollar option is not picked up.
The next day, a contrite Wilson backpedalled so fast, he nearly tripped over his apology. He said there was no cryptic messages left in his locker or late-night phone calls telling him to back off.
So he faced the media with his act of contrition.
"Some of my comments were pretty harsh," he said. "I definitely don't want to be the guy who is butting heads with the organization or trying to cause any type of negativity, so I apologize."
The organization is happy. The bad Jack Wilson had seen the errors of his way and repented, turning into the good Jack Wilson.
At least, that's how president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington will see it.
It's not the way I see it.
The good Jack Wilson had the guts to rip his employer because this has become a throw-away season. When it's over, the Pirates will have 17 consecutive losing years, a record for a major professional sports franchise of any kind.
At least they'll be No. 1 in something.
Wilson's emotional outburst probably spoke for every player and fan sick of this losing organization's plans. The trade of Morgan is a bad one, not because Morgan is such a strong character player. That doesn't win championships.
It's bad because, so far, Milledge has shown to be at the bottom of the character chart. He's worn out his welcome with the Mets and was dumped by the Nationals after missing a team meeting and playing a bad outfield. Divas don't bat .260 with mediocre power and limited defensive ability.
The bad Jack Wilson shrunk from his criticism the next day. He said he was worried about how he would be perceived by the players and fans.
But for those few moments, when the emotions boiled over, he stood as the spokesperson for a generation of Pirates fans that is beyond tired of losing baseball.
And that was good.
Assistant sports editor Joe Tuscano can be reached at jtuscano@observer-reporter.com