Brian Wilson Got a New Tattoo, What Else is New?

The gossip site TMZ.com has sure had a lot of Dodgers material this offseason between Yasiel Puig’s arrest, Matt Kemp’s Beastmode usage, Carl Crawford’s baby mama drama, and today’s exciting report that Brian Wilson got another tattoo. Hollywood may be in close proximity to Dodger Stadium, but do we really want the paparazzi following around our relief pitchers as they leave their tattoo parlor?

Brian Wilson, who is notoriously eccentric, got a revolver tattooed across his left hand. The Beard, who was photographed wearing a mustache t-shirt which appears to be covered in stains, is heavily tattooed already. The stains are far more averse to me than the ink, and I’m left wondering what dribbled down his stache shirt? I recall that there was also a photograph of Wilson wearing a stained t-shirt before he was signed by the Dodgers last season. Does the beard get in the way of his tasty beverage? With Brian Wilson, the enigmas are numerous.

The new gun tattoo is on his non-pitching arm, but we all know which arm is his real “gun.” Wilson’s antics have been well documented in San Francisco, and I’m sure we have a lot to look forward to next season at Dodger Stadium. Unique and talented, I could care less what a player looks like or how many tattoos one has. While some fans often mocked Ronald Belisario’s looks, I couldn’t care in the least. As long as the player can perform well than looks are meaningless.

Oct 7, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson (00) celebrates with fans after defeating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in game four of the National League divisional series at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Wilson has been fined for wearing bright orange cleats throughout the 2010 season, called himself a “certified ninja” in an interview with Jim Rome that same year, and he continues to dye and grow his black beard which he started during the Giants’ playoff run that year.

Blackbeard’s tattoos do have meaning behind them. On his left shoulder, he has a dragon to honor his father which symbolizes “protection from fear.” Wilson’s father passed away from cancer when he was 17. Across his chest, he has the words “In nomine patris” (“In the name of the father”), and on his right wrist he has a Celtic cross with lettering that says “All Honor To Him” in Gaelic; both of these tattoos symbolize his Christian faith. He also has Japanese Kanji characters on his arm which symbolize his faith; they say, “Father. Son. Eternal Strength.”

You can read more about the meanings behind Wilson’s ink and his Christian faith here. It may give you a new perspective on his unconventional behavior and the person behind the tattoos.

Wilson’s gun tattoo will be covered up with his glove anyhow.