Maury Wills (Baseball Player and Manager)

Profession: Baseball Player and Manager Biography: Maury Wills was an American professional baseball player who is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a shortstop during the 1960s. Wills was an exceptional base runner and fielder, and his speed and agility on the field helped revolutionize the game. He is widely

Profession: Baseball Player and Manager

Biography: Maury Wills was an American professional baseball player who is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a shortstop during the 1960s. Wills was an exceptional base runner and fielder, and his speed and agility on the field helped revolutionize the game. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful base stealers in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Wills made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1959 and quickly became an essential part of the team, known for his speed, defensive skills, and ability to steal bases. His most famous season came in 1962, when he broke Ty Cobb's long-standing single-season record for stolen bases by stealing 104 bases. This accomplishment earned Wills the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, a rare feat for a player whose primary skill was base stealing.

Throughout his career, Wills was a seven-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, demonstrating his exceptional defensive abilities at the shortstop position. He played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers win three World Series championships in 1959, 1963, and 1965.

After retiring as a player, Wills went on to have a successful career as a coach and manager, including a stint as the manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Born: October 2, 1932
Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Libra

Died: September 19, 2022 (aged 89)

Playing Career

  • 1962-08-11 LA Dodgers protest as San Francisco manager Alvin Dark orders Candlestick Park ground crew to water down base paths to hinder MLB All-Star Maury Wills' base-stealing attempts; Giants win 5-4
  • 1962-09-23 LA Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills breaks Ty Cobb's 1915 MLB steals record, recording #97 on his way to 104
  • 1962-09-26 LA Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills becomes first player in MLB history to steal 100 bases (en route to 104)
  • 1962-11-23 LA Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills is named National League MVP
  • 1980-08-04 7-time All Star Maury Wills becomes only the 3rd black manager in MLB history when Darrell Johnson is fired by Seattle Mariners after a 9 game losing streak
  • 1981-04-25 Seattle Mariners MLB manager Maury Wills is suspended for 2 games after ordering Kingdome grounds crew to enlarge batter's boxes by one foot

Famous Baseball Players

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