Vernon Wells
Outfielder · Career Stats, Bio & Records (1999-2013)
Vernon Wells was an outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1999 to 2013 for the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the New York Yankees, a span of 15 seasons. In 1,731 career games, he hit .270 with 1,794 hits, 270 home runs, and 958 RBI. Vernon Wells was a 3-time All-Star, a 3-time Gold Glove, and a Silver Slugger. His career PIV — Baseball Data Hub's era-adjusted measure of offensive impact — is 4,934.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
- Position
- Outfielder
- Bats / Throws
- R / R
- Height / Weight
- 6'1" / 230 lb
- MLB Debut
- 1999-08-30
- Last Game
- 2013-09-29
- Awards
- 3× All-Star · 3× Gold Glove · Silver Slugger
Full name: Vernon M. Wells
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,731 | 6,642 | 930 | 1,794 | 379 | 34 | 270 | 958 | 109 | 472 | 956 | .270 | .319 | .459 | .778 | 4,934 |
Career AVG .270 vs. league average .263 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career OBP .319 vs. league average .332 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career SLG .459 vs. league average .418 across their career seasons — +9.8% above league average.
Career OPS .778 vs. league average .750 across their career seasons — near league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | TOR | AL | 24 | 88 | 8 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 18 | .261 | .271 (-4%) | .344 (-15%) | .433 (-19%) | .778 (-17%) | -260.1 |
| 2000 | TOR | AL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | — | — | — | — | 0.0 |
| 2001 | TOR | AL | 30 | 96 | 14 | 30 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 15 | .312 | .263 (+18%) | .332 (+5%) | .426 (avg) | .758 (+2%) | 32.9 |
| 2002 | TOR | AL | 159 | 608 | 87 | 167 | 34 | 4 | 23 | 100 | 9 | 27 | 85 | .275 | .261 (+5%) | .331 (-8%) | .416 (+10%) | .747 (+2%) | -27.2 |
| 2003 | TOR | AL | 161 | 678 | 118 | 215 | 49 | 5 | 33 | 117 | 4 | 42 | 80 | .317 | .264 (+20%) | .332 (+8%) | .422 (+30%) | .754 (+21%) | 2730.5 |
| 2004 | TOR | AL | 134 | 536 | 82 | 146 | 34 | 2 | 23 | 67 | 9 | 51 | 83 | .272 | .266 (+2%) | .335 (+1%) | .427 (+10%) | .762 (+6%) | 640.3 |
| 2005 | TOR | AL | 156 | 620 | 78 | 167 | 30 | 3 | 28 | 97 | 8 | 47 | 86 | .269 | .264 (+2%) | .330 (-3%) | .418 (+10%) | .749 (+5%) | 421.1 |
| 2006 | TOR | AL | 154 | 611 | 91 | 185 | 40 | 5 | 32 | 106 | 17 | 54 | 90 | .303 | .269 (+12%) | .336 (+6%) | .431 (+25%) | .768 (+17%) | 2064.5 |
| 2007 | TOR | AL | 149 | 584 | 85 | 143 | 36 | 4 | 16 | 80 | 10 | 49 | 89 | .245 | .268 (-9%) | .335 (-10%) | .422 (-5%) | .758 (-7%) | -776.7 |
| 2008 | TOR | AL | 108 | 427 | 63 | 128 | 22 | 1 | 20 | 78 | 4 | 29 | 46 | .300 | .263 (+14%) | .333 (+3%) | .416 (+19%) | .749 (+12%) | 898.4 |
| 2009 | TOR | AL | 158 | 630 | 84 | 164 | 37 | 3 | 15 | 66 | 17 | 48 | 86 | .260 | .262 (-1%) | .332 (-6%) | .417 (-4%) | .750 (-5%) | -629.7 |
| 2010 | TOR | AL | 157 | 590 | 79 | 161 | 44 | 3 | 31 | 88 | 6 | 50 | 84 | .273 | .257 (+6%) | .325 (+2%) | .402 (+28%) | .728 (+16%) | 1778.6 |
| 2011 | LAA | AL | 131 | 505 | 60 | 110 | 15 | 4 | 25 | 66 | 9 | 20 | 86 | .218 | .255 (-15%) | .320 (-23%) | .399 (+3%) | .719 (-8%) | -853.2 |
| 2012 | LAA | AL | 77 | 243 | 36 | 56 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 29 | 3 | 16 | 35 | .230 | .254 (-9%) | .318 (-13%) | .405 (-1%) | .724 (-6%) | -268.4 |
| 2013 | NYA | AL | 130 | 424 | 45 | 99 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 50 | 7 | 30 | 73 | .233 | .253 (-8%) | .317 (-11%) | .396 (-12%) | .714 (-12%) | -816.6 |
| Career · 15 seasons | 1,731 | 6,642 | 930 | 1,794 | 379 | 34 | 270 | 958 | 109 | 472 | 956 | .270 | — | — | — | — | 4,934 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (1731 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 864 | 3221 | 466 | 874 | 142 | 497 | .271 |
| Away | 867 | 3421 | 464 | 920 | 128 | 461 | .269 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-09-29 | NYY | HOU | W | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-26 | NYY | TBR | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-25 | NYY | TBR | L | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2013-09-24 | NYY | TBR | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-22 | NYY | SFG | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-19 | NYY | TOR | L | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013-09-18 | NYY | TOR | W | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-17 | NYY | TOR | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013-09-15 | NYY | BOS | L | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013-09-14 | NYY | BOS | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 1659 | 1608 | 3726 | 73 | 25 | 14 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | TOR | OF | 24 | 23 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 | TOR | OF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | TOR | OF | 30 | 23 | 61 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | TOR | OF | 159 | 152 | 381 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| 2003 | TOR | OF | 161 | 161 | 383 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 | TOR | OF | 131 | 130 | 327 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | TOR | OF | 155 | 153 | 351 | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| 2006 | TOR | OF | 150 | 147 | 332 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 2007 | TOR | OF | 148 | 143 | 321 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | TOR | OF | 100 | 99 | 217 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2009 | TOR | OF | 155 | 153 | 352 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | TOR | OF | 151 | 151 | 354 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | LAA | OF | 122 | 121 | 281 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | LAA | OF | 74 | 65 | 137 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYA | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYA | OF | 96 | 87 | 177 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each position.
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Second Base | 1 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 253 |
| Center Field | 1369 |
| Right Field | 51 |
| Designated Hitter | 53 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Branch Rickey Award | |
| 2006 | Gold Glove | OF |
| 2006 | Player of the Week | Week of 2006-07-22 |
| 2006 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 2005 | Gold Glove | OF |
| 2004 | Gold Glove | OF |
| 2003 | Player of the Week | Week of 2003-06-21 |
| 2003 | Silver Slugger | OF |
| 2003 | TSN All-Star | OF |
Salary History
Vernon Wells's recorded salaries total $117,218,857 over 13 seasons, 1999 to 2013. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Wells's career ran from 1999 to 2013. No salary is recorded for 2000 and 2001.
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | NYA | AL | $24,642,857 |
| 2012 | LAA | AL | $24,187,500 |
| 2011 | LAA | AL | $26,187,500 |
| 2010 | TOR | AL | $15,687,500 |
| 2009 | TOR | AL | $4,687,500 |
| 2008 | TOR | AL | $3,687,500 |
| 2007 | TOR | AL | $8,787,500 |
| 2006 | TOR | AL | $4,470,000 |
| 2005 | TOR | AL | $3,070,000 |
| 2004 | TOR | AL | $870,000 |
| 2003 | TOR | AL | $520,000 |
| 2002 | TOR | AL | $221,000 |
| 1999 | TOR | AL | $200,000 |
| Total recorded salary (partial) | $117,218,857 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 22th | 3.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 2003 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 8th | 84.0 | 392 | 1 |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Vernon Wells (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Vernon Wells: the record in brief
Vernon Wells's major league career runs from a debut on August 30, 1999 to a final game on September 29, 2013. The season rows list, in order, the Toronto Blue Jays (1999 through 2010), the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2011 to 2012), and the New York Yankees (2013). Born on December 8, 1978, in Shreveport, LA, USA, Wells is listed as an outfielder and both batted and threw right-handed. The bio gives 230 pounds on a 6-foot-1 frame. The given name on file is Vernon M. Wells.
Wells finished with 1,794 hits from 6,642 at bats in 1,731 games, which works out to .270, along with 270 home runs, 958 RBI, and 109 stolen bases. Wells got on base at a .319 rate and slugged .459 (.778 OPS). Against a .263 league average for those years, Wells's .270 average was near the norm. For power, 2003 stands out: 33 home runs with the Toronto Blue Jays. The hits column peaks at 215, in 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vernon Wells
- What years did Vernon Wells play?
- Vernon Wells played in Major League Baseball from 1999 to 2013.
- Was Vernon Wells a pitcher?
- No. Vernon Wells was a position player (Outfielder).
- How many home runs did Vernon Wells hit?
- Vernon Wells hit 270 career home runs with 1,794 hits.
- What teams did Vernon Wells play for?
- Vernon Wells played for 3 teams: the Toronto Blue Jays (1999–2010), the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2011–2012), and the New York Yankees (2013).
- Did Vernon Wells win an MVP award?
- No. Vernon Wells did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Vernon Wells win?
- Vernon Wells won 3 Gold Gloves (2004, 2005, and 2006) and the Silver Slugger award (2003). He was selected to 3 All-Star Games.
- What were Vernon Wells's career stats?
- In 1,731 games, Vernon Wells had 1,794 hits, 270 home runs, 958 RBI, 930 runs, and 109 stolen bases, with a .270 batting average.
- How much did Vernon Wells earn in his career?
- Vernon Wells's recorded salaries total $117,218,857 over 13 seasons, 1999 to 2013. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Wells's career ran from 1999 to 2013. No salary is recorded for 2000 and 2001.
- What was Vernon Wells's salary?
- Vernon Wells's last recorded salary was $24,642,857, in 2013. His highest recorded salary was $26,187,500, in 2011, and his lowest was $200,000, in 1999. The Salary History table lists each season from 1999 to 2013.
- What position did Vernon Wells play?
- Vernon Wells played primarily as an outfielder, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Vernon Wells and how much did he weigh?
- Vernon Wells was listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 230 pounds.
- How many home runs did Vernon Wells hit each season?
- Vernon Wells's home runs by season: 1 in 1999, 0 in 2000, 1 in 2001, 23 in 2002, 33 in 2003, 23 in 2004, 28 in 2005, 32 in 2006, 16 in 2007, 20 in 2008, 15 in 2009, 31 in 2010, 25 in 2011, 11 in 2012, and 11 in 2013. His most in one season was 33, in 2003.
- What was Vernon Wells's career batting average?
- Vernon Wells batted .270 over his career, with 1,794 hits in 6,642 at bats.
- How many RBI did Vernon Wells have?
- Vernon Wells drove in 958 runs in his career.