If you think you recognize Mike Wilson you probably do. He has served as the team model for the Roswell Invaders, White Sands Pupfish, Trinidad Triggers and others.After all, he’s roughly twice the age of most of his teammates and opponents. Yet, he’s taking the mound for the Houston Apollos of the Pecos League. And with gusto.

“I just love baseball,” he said. “It’s in my blood and bones.”

It would have to be, since he’s playing at an age when most guys have regressed to beer-league softball or drifted out of the game altogether. After a career bouncing around to several college teams, going undrafted, moving into the world of independent ball, and surviving injuries and a bout with cancer, one would think that a move into the more stable world of elementary school teaching would have signaled the end of his baseball odyssey.

But no.

Wilson has continued to play in men’s leagues when time allowed and was surprised recently when an old acquaintance – Pecos League Commissioner Andrew Dunn – got in touch.

“I knew Andrew because I’d played for the Apollos before, and I’d even modeled all the Pecos League gear for him when he started the league,” he said with a laugh. “He called and said he had a team that needed some help and asked if I could still play. I didn’t think he was serious at first, but I said I was in decent shape and would give it a shot.”

Wilson's outing on 8/9/2020 lead the Apollos back into playoff contention, he battled the Roswell Invaders for 7 innings and although he didn't get a decision he was the reason they won the game. 7 Strikeouts and 1 walk and working out of jams. His first two outings in Houston’s often-stifling combination of heat and humidity – starts against Roswell and Salina – did not go smoothly, but nothing has dampened his enthusiasm.

“I’d been playing in a semi pro league the last year or so, and the competition wasn’t what it is here,” he acknowledged. “In the first game, I had trouble hitting my spots. My stuff was better the second time out, but I made an error that kind of opened the gates for them.

“Still, it was exciting to be out there and competing, and I’m looking forward to the next opportunity,” he said.

A Houston native, Wilson had few baseball opportunities coming out of high school and spent time at multiple junior colleges before returning home and hooking on at Houston Baptist University. At that point, doctors diagnosed him with cancer. According to him, HBU advised him to take a medical redshirt year, but he says he decided to play, despite recovering from chemotherapy treatments.

“I hit .400 that year,” he said, “but I’d never hit with a wood bat anywhere I’d played, so I went undrafted afterward.”That led to several years in the independent leagues in places like Alexandria, LA; Amarillo, TX; and Edinburg, TX. He suffered a wrist injury that caused him to miss most of the 2000 season, returned to play well in 2001 and then had an injury-plagued final season in 2002.

Wilson passed the firefighter and EMT exams, did that for about a year and then got into teaching. He also coached basketball at a middle school for six years. But he couldn’t get rid of the baseball bug, playing in various men’s leagues and on semi-pro teams. He’s played more than 17 seasons with the Apollos, who played in various semi-pro leagues before joining the Pecos League for this pandemic-shortened campaign.

“He’s a good addition . . a great competitor,” Dunn said.

Added Wilson, “It’s great to be here. I never expected to still be playing by now, but I guess I’m one of those guys that just can’t quit.”