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3. Willie Wilson

3. Willie Wilson
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 9, 1955 in Montgomery, AL USA
  • Weight: 190 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: B
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 04, 1976
  • Final Game: May 16, 1994
  • Gold Glove - 1980
  • Silver Slugger - 1980
  • Silver Slugger - 1982
  • MVP - 1979
  • MVP - 1980
  • MVP - 1982
  • MVP - 1984
 
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While the story of Willie Wilson can not be described without discussing the 1983 drug charge where he and three other teammates were jailed for 81 days for attempting to purchase cocaine (he was suspended for the first six weeks of the 1984 season) this is not how we remember the fleet-footed outfielder.

Arguably, had it not been for the emergence of Rickey Henderson in Oakland, Wilson would have been regarded as the American League’s top leadoff player for years.  Although he did not always have a great (let alone good at times) On Base Percentage, Wilson collected a lot of hits.  He was the 1980 Batting Champion and had five .300 seasons.  Five times he led the AL in Triples and was also the league leader in Stolen Bases in 1979. 

Brett was the offensive engine of the team, but it was Wilson who provided the spark.  Would the Royals have won two American League Pennants without him?

Kansas City inducted Wilson into their Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Outfield
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 18th Overall of the Amateur Draft 6/5/74.
  • Departed:

    Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics 12/3/90.

  • Games Played: 1787
  • Notable Statistics:

    1,060 Runs Scored
    1,968 Hits
    241 Doubles
    133 Triples
    40 Home Runs
    509 Runs Batted In
    612 Stolen Bases
    .289/.329/.382 Slash Line
    42.4 bWAR

    32 Playoff Games
    12 Runs Scored
    35 Hits
    3 Doubles
    2 Triples
    1 Home Run
    10 Runs Batted In
    6 Stolen Bases
    .273/.316/.352 Slash Line

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1985)
    All-Star (1982 & 1983)
    Silver Slugger (1980 & 1982)
    Gold Glove (1980)
    Highest Batting Average (1982)
    Most At Bats (1980)
    Most Plate Appearances (1980)
    Most Runs Scored (1980)
    Most Hits (1980)
    Most Triples (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 & 1989)
    Most Singles (1979, 1980, 1981 & 1982)
    Most Stolen Bases (1979)
    Highest Stolen Base Percentage (1979 & 1984)
    Most Total Zone Runs (1980 & 1982)
    Most Putouts by a Leftfielder (1979)
    Most Assists by a Leftfielder (1981)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Leftfielder (1981)
    Most Assists by an Outfielder (1981)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Leftfielder (1979 & 1982)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Leftfielder (1979, 1980 & 1982)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Centerfielder (1987)
    Most Total Zone Runs by an Outfielder (1979, 1980 & 1982)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by an Outfielder (1981)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by an Outfielder (1987)

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