Stockton to Welcome Dodgers Legend Maury Wills
Published on June 17, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Stockton Ports News Release
STOCKTON, Calif. - For millions of baseball and Dodger fans across the country, 1962 was a magical season. That year, 29-year-old Maury Wills broke Ty Cobb's 1915 record of 97 stolen bases and set a new major league record by snagging 104 total stolen bases.
The Stockton Ports are proud to welcome Wills to Banner Island Ballpark as a special guest of honor to the 2:05 p.m. game on Sunday, June 21. Wills will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and will be available on the concourse to sign autographs for free to fans for two hours, from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.
"Maury Wills was a tremendous athlete and we are excited to host him here on Father's Day. What better present is there for a father on Father's Day than to meet a baseball legend?" said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. "The Ports are proud to welcome Maury Wills to Banner Island Ballpark, and to honor a California baseball star."
Wills garnered the 1962 National League MVP award, and was also named an All-Star and won a Gold Glove for his work at shortstop that season. In 1962, he batted .299 with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 6 home runs and 48 RBI. His heroics that season helped make him one of the original L.A. Dodgers superstars. In 2002, he was voted the "most exciting Dodger player in Dodger Stadium history."
After spending nine years in the minors, Wills made his major league debut on June 6, 1959 at the age of 26, and helped lead the Dodgers to a championship title. He spent 14 seasons in the Show-with 12 seasons playing for the Dodgers.
He led the National League in stolen bases for six straight seasons from 1960 to 1965, and stole 94 in 1965. Wills helped lead the Dodgers to three World Series titles in 1959, 1963 and 1965, and a pennant in 1966.
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