Celebration of Life – September 10, 2022 at Yorba Linda
John Wilson, former Long Beach Nitehawk and Lakewood Jet has passed away.
Playing Career with the Long Beach Nitehawks and Lakewood Jets
John played for Long Beach in 1972, and 1977 through 1980, and for the Lakewood Jets from 1973 through 1976. For John, one ISC World Title (Jets, 1976), and four runner-up ISC World Tournaments, (3 with LB, 1 with LKWD) and two First Team All World Outfielder Awards (1973 and 1974 with the Jets)
In 1972, John’s Long Beach Nitehawk team finished 2nd in the World Tournament.
In 1973, John joined the Lakewood Jets, who went on to win the ISC World Tournament. John made First Team All World (OF) that year with a .313 batting average.
In 1974, John’s Lakewood Jet team finished 4th in the ISC World Tournament. Once again, John made First Team All World (OF), batting .500.
In 1975, John’s Lakewood Jets finished 6th. (Rival Long Beach Nitehawks won the ISC WT, the 10th and final time they accomplished that feat)
In 1976, John’s Lakewood Jets finished 2nd in the ISC World Tournament, played at Blair Field in Long Beach, California.
1977, John returned to the Long Beach Nitehawks where he would play four more years. In ’77, the ‘Hawks finished 2nd in the ISC WT.
In 1979, John and the Long Beach Nitehawks finished 2nd in the ISC World Tournament, losing to Kevin Herlihy in the finals.
Note from Former teammate and fellow ISC Hall of Famer Hice Stiles:
Sad news! Another member of our brotherhood has passed away.
John Wilson passed away Monday this week after a long battle. John was one of the great Long Beach Nitehawks & Lakewood Jets Team member. He was one of the best to play the game and a Hall of Fame Member.
May he Rest In Peace.
Celebration of Life
Grace Lutheran Church, 6550 Fairmont Blvd., Yorba Linda CA 92886
Lunch gathering to follow at: El Torito, 22699 Oakcrest Circle, Yorba Linda, CA
Route from Church to El Torito
We expect to update this post shortly with photo of John and his ISC Hall of Fame bio.
Fellow Fastballer, and former Lakewood Jet player (and batboy as a kid), Ronnie Rupp* wrote this about John in a piece we posted back in 2006, “Memoirs of a Batboy“:
JOHN WILSON: johnny was a great all around player! as steady as it gets! he just went out year after year and put up big numbers in all his world tournaments! john played mostly outfield and first base,but could play anywhere you put him! a clutch hitter with a great glove! john played the game with great intensity and focus! and was great so often for so long its no wonder johnny is in the hall of fame! truly a great player and i enjoyed watching him very much!