Willie Wilson, baseball player, 1976-1994

Willie Wilson

Born: 7/9/1955 in Montgomery, AL, USA

MLB Debut: 1976-09-04 | Final Game: 1994-05-16

Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 190 lbs

Full name: Willie James Wilson

Biography

Willie Wilson was a prominent Major League Baseball player whose career spanned from 1976 to 1994. Born in 1955, Wilson became well-known for his speed and versatility as a position player. Over the course of his career, he played in 2,154 games and compiled a remarkable 2,207 hits, demonstrating consistent offensive production with a career batting average of .285. Wilson was an exceptional base stealer, finishing his career with 668 stolen bases, which showcased his ability to change the dynamics of a game with his speed on the bases. He contributed significantly to his teams, driving in 585 runs and hitting 41 home runs. An All-Star selection twice during his career, Wilson was a key figure for the Kansas City Royals, where he played the majority of his career. He was integral to the team's success in the 1980s, including their run to the World Series title in 1985. Known for his electrifying playing style and clutch performances, Wilson's contributions extended beyond statistics; he became a beloved figure in the game. His achievements reflect the era of baseball characterized by a heightened focus on speed and athleticism, and he left a lasting legacy as one of the premier leadoff hitters of his time.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2154 7731 1169 2207 281 147 41 585 668 425 1144 0.285 0.326 0.376 0.702 -3008.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
38 150 12 40 4 2 1 10 9 32 0.267

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1992 ALCS OAK 6 22 0 5 1 0 0 0 1 5 0.227
1985 ALCS KCA 7 29 5 9 0 0 1 2 1 5 0.310
1985 WS KCA 7 30 2 11 0 1 0 3 1 4 0.367
1984 ALCS KCA 3 13 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0.154
1981 AWDIV KCA 3 13 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.308
1980 WS KCA 6 26 3 4 1 0 0 0 4 12 0.154
1980 ALCS KCA 3 13 2 4 2 1 0 4 1 2 0.308
1978 ALCS KCA 3 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.250

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 2031 1792 5060 76 67 15

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 676
Center Field 1357
Right Field 31
Designated Hitter 28

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1982 Silver Slugger OF
1981 Player of the Month September
1980 Gold Glove OF
1980 Silver Slugger OF
1979 Player of the Week Week of 1979-08-24

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1994 CHN NL $700,000
1993 CHN NL $700,000
1992 OAK AL $1,100,000
1991 OAK AL $1,000,000
1990 KCA AL $800,000
1989 KCA AL $2,112,205
1988 KCA AL $1,383,712
1987 KCA AL $1,389,706
1986 KCA AL $1,175,000
1985 KCA AL $843,750
Total Career Earnings $11,204,373

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1984 Most Valuable Player AL 10th 61.0 392 0
1982 Most Valuable Player AL 15th 16.0 392 0
1980 Most Valuable Player AL 4th 169.0 392 1
1979 Most Valuable Player AL 17th 15.0 392 0