When Elliot "Bump" Wills made his major league debut in Arlington in 1977, he carried a renowned baserunning legacy. As the son of legendary base-stealer Maury Wills, high expectations surrounded the young switch-hitter to bring the same explosive, energetic style to the American League. He quickly lived up to those expectations, leveraging his inherited exceptional speed and instincts to become a key energizer for the team.
Wills avoided typical developmental struggles, securing a backup role and finishing third in the 1977 AL Rookie of the Year voting. Lacking power, he relied on his speed to challenge defenses. His baserunning achievement reached a personal milestone during a remarkable 1978 season. Dramatically shifting the rhythm of the Rangers' offense, Wills stunned American League catchers by stealing a career-high 52 bases. Nearly fifty years later, that record still stands as the franchise's single-season best for the Rangers, highlighting his exceptional speed and timing. He further demonstrated his skill with an additional 35 stolen bases in 1979 and 34 in 1980, solidifying a consistent, aggressive presence at the top of the batting lineup.
Wills excelled not only in speed on the bases but also in providing exceptional, above-average defense at second base. This was a crucial support for the Texas pitching staff. With his outstanding lateral range, quick transfers, and dependable glove, he consistently anchored the right side of the Rangers' infield. His defensive prowess was evident in the leaderboards, where he led all American League second basemen in assists in 1977 with 492 and in 1978 with 478. His stellar 2.0 defensive bWAR as a rookie underscored his reputation as a versatile, two-way middle infielder.
Following a strike-shortened 1981 season, the Rangers traded Wills to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Paul Mirabella and cash. He accumulated 709 hits, 97 doubles, 30 home runs, and 207 RBIs while generating a steady .269/.335/.364 slash line and 173 stolen bases for Texas.
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