Former pitcher: Fighting fires, playing baseball both require teamwork

Published 9:07 am Wednesday, February 28, 2018

There’s a new firefighter in the Andalusia Fire Department and his face might be familiar to Andalusia residents

Tyler Wilson is a 2004 graduate of Andalusia High School and somewhat of a star. After high school, Wilson played baseball for the Atlanta Braves and the Pensacola Pelicans as a pitcher.

“I got drafted by the braves in 2004 or 2005,” Wilson said.

“I played for them until about 2009 and then I played for the Pelicans from 2010-2011.”

After that, Wilson spent a lot of time coaching for Andalusia for baseball and football.

Wilson started working for the fire department in January.

“I did a lot of research into the department before I actually applied,” he said.

“I talked to a lot of guys from here and they gave me solid advice.”

Wilson said that baseball and firefighting have one similarity.

“There’s a team mentality in firefighting that is similar to what I had when I was a part of a baseball team.”

Within the first two hours of his first day on the job, there were two structure fires, back-to-back.

Within four of Wilson’s shifts, there were three structure fires.

“I earned the nickname ‘Black Cloud’ for a little while,” Wilson joked.

Despite all of that, Wilson said he looks forward to working at the fire department and loves the work he does.

“This is honestly the best job I’ve ever had,” Wilson said.

“It’s been a perfect fit for me.”