Brian Downing

High school

Notre Dame High School

Pro team(s)

Chicago White Sox, California Angels, Texas Rangers

Brian Downing was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, attending Notre Dame High School in West Haven. One of the most tenacious players of his era, the catcher-turned-outfielder played 20 major league seasons and was famous for extreme conditioning and willingness to be hit by pitches — leading the AL three times. He hit 275 home runs with a .267 career average and was a key contributor to the California Angels in the 1980s, one of the most underrated players in the game's history.