Bump Wills
Born: 7/27/1952 in Washington, DC, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-07 | Final Game: 1982-10-03
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 172 lbs
Full name: Elliott Taylor Wills
Biography
Bump Wills, born in 1952, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball who played from 1977 until 1982. Known for his speed and versatility, Wills left a significant mark on the game during his career, which spanned 831 games. He recorded 807 hits, 36 home runs, and 302 RBIs, finishing his playing days with a batting average of .266. Wills was particularly renowned for his base-stealing prowess, successfully swiping 196 bases, a skill that underscored his aggressive playing style and ability to disrupt opposing defenses.
Wills played in an era characterized by a blend of traditional baseball strategies and the emergence of more dynamic offensive tactics. His contributions were particularly valuable to teams like the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs, where he showcased his athleticism and adaptability on the field. His legacy includes not only his statistical achievements but also his role as a player who exemplified the importance of speed and agility in the game, contributing to the evolution of base running in professional baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 831 | 3030 | 472 | 807 | 128 | 24 | 36 | 302 | 196 | 310 | 441 | 0.266 | 0.335 | 0.360 | 0.695 | -1073.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | TEX | AL | 152 | 541 | 87 | 155 | 28 | 6 | 9 | 62 | 28 | 65 | 96 | 0.287 | 729.9 |
| 1978 | TEX | AL | 157 | 539 | 78 | 135 | 17 | 4 | 9 | 57 | 52 | 63 | 91 | 0.250 | -224.5 |
| 1979 | TEX | AL | 146 | 543 | 90 | 148 | 21 | 3 | 5 | 46 | 35 | 53 | 58 | 0.273 | -423.3 |
| 1980 | TEX | AL | 146 | 578 | 102 | 152 | 31 | 5 | 5 | 58 | 34 | 51 | 71 | 0.263 | -549.3 |
| 1981 | TEX | AL | 102 | 410 | 51 | 103 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 12 | 32 | 49 | 0.251 | -832.8 |
| 1982 | CHC | NL | 128 | 419 | 64 | 114 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 38 | 35 | 46 | 76 | 0.272 | 226.6 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 800 | 781 | 1815 | 2582 | 94 | 495 |
| SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | TEX | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | TEX | 2B | 150 | 145 | 321 | 492 | 15 | 89 |
| 1977 | TEX | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | TEX | 2B | 156 | 148 | 350 | 526 | 17 | 84 |
| 1979 | TEX | 2B | 146 | 143 | 337 | 468 | 20 | 95 |
| 1980 | TEX | 2B | 144 | 144 | 340 | 473 | 13 | 112 |
| 1981 | TEX | 2B | 101 | 101 | 268 | 326 | 10 | 70 |
| 1982 | CHN | 2B | 103 | 100 | 199 | 297 | 19 | 45 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 800 |
| Designated Hitter | 4 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | AZ | 1972, 1973, 1974 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 3rd | 4.0 | 28 | 4 |