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69. Maury Wills

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69.  Maury Wills
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: October 2, 1932 in Washington, DC USA
  • Weight: 170 lbs.
  • Height: 5'11"
  • Bats: B
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: June 06, 1959
  • Final Game: October 04, 1972
  • Gold Glove - 1961
  • TSN All-Star - 1961
  • All-Star Game MVP - 1962
  • Gold Glove - 1962
  • Most Valuable Player - 1962
  • TSN All-Star - 1962
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1962
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1962
  • TSN All-Star - 1965
  • MVP - 1960
  • MVP - 1961
  • MVP - 1962
  • MVP - 1963
  • MVP - 1965
  • MVP - 1966
  • MVP - 1969
  • MVP - 1971
 
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Maury Wills did not make the Major Leagues until he was 26 years old yet still managed to rack up over 2,000 hits in his career.  What numbers would he have put up if he cracked a big league roster earlier and would it have been enough to make him a member of the Hall of Fame?

Maury Wills might be known first in any baseball reference guide as the winner of the National League MVP award in 1962, but his real contribution was how he changed the perception on how runs could be scored.  Wills was not the first man to be a star on the base paths, but he did usher in its renaissance.  Wills was the first to steal over 100 bases and it wasn’t long before teams across the country looked for a Wills type player to leadoff their lineup.  Wills would go on to lead the NL in steals on six occasions.

Maury Wills however was not the perfect leadoff man.  Wills did not walk enough and his overall On Base Percentage was not ideal.  He also suffered from a post playing career where his managing stint with Seattle is considered the worst in baseball history and he often rubbed baseball writers the wrong way.  Maury Wills may not have been the best base stealer in history but he did change the way the game was played for awhile and that is certainly a huge pro on his Hall of Fame ledger.

Should Maury Wills be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 8.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 3.8%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 8.7%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Washington D.C., U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Sunday, 01 January 1978
  • Position: Short Stop
  • Played For: Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (3) (Los Angeles Dodgers, 1959, 1963 & 1965)
    MVP (1) (NL) (1962)
    The Sproting News Major League Player of the Year (1) (1962)
    All-Star (5) (1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 & 1966)
    All-Star Game MVP (1) (1962)
    Gold Gloves (2) (1961 & 1962)
    Most At Bats (2) (1961 & 1962)
    Most Plate Appearances (2) (1961 & 1962)
    Most Triples (1) (NL) (1962)
    Most Stolen Bases (6) (NL) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1965)
    Most Singles (4) (NL) (1961, 1962, 1965 & 1967)
    Most Sacrifice Hits (1) (NL) (1961)
    Most Outs Made (2) (NL) (1961 & 1965)
    Most Assists (1) (NL) (1965)
    Most Assists by a Shortstop (1) (NL) (1965)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Shortstop (1) (NL) (1965)
  • Other Points of Note: Other Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the 1962 NL MVP)
    (NL: 1961, 9th), (NL: 1965, 3rd) & (NL: 1971, 6th)
    1 Top Ten Finish (bWAR for Position Players)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Offensive bWAR)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Stolen Bases)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 20. Stolen Bases: 586
    53. Assists by a Shortstop: 4,804
    62. Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop: 859
    65. Assists: 5,512
    71. Putouts by a Shortstop: 2,550
    72. Singles: 1,866
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1978: 30.3
    1979: 38.4
    1980: 37.9
    1981: 40.6
    1982: 21.9
    1983: 20.6
    1984: 25.8
    1985: 23.5
    1986: 29.2
    1987: 27.4
    1988: 29.7
    1989: 21.3
    1990: 21.4
    1991: 13.8
    1992: 25.6
  • Should be Inducted As A: Los Angeles Dodger

Should Maury Wills be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 8.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 3.8%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 8.7%

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