Vernon Wells
From BR Bullpen
Vernon Wells III
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight210 lb.
- Born December 8, 1978 in Shreveport, LA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Vernon Wells is a highly-paid star who has played 12 years in the big leagues through 2010. In his best season, 2003, he was 8th in the MVP voting, leading the 2003 American League in hits, doubles and total bases. Playing almost exclusively center field through 2010, he won the Gold Glove award in 2004-06.
Wells's father was a wide receiver who attended training camp with the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs and who also played professional football in the Canadian Football League.
Vernon was a first round pick in 1997, and was on a fast track to make the majors. After appearing in Single A ball in 1997-98, he was in all four levels in 1999 - A, AA, AAA and the majors. Although he hit over .261 with the 1999 Blue Jays in 24 games, he needed two more years of seasoning at Syracuse. When he hit .313 in 30 games with the 2001 Blue Jays, it was clear he could play major league ball.
Wells has been a workhouse over the years, often appearing in nearly all of the Blue Jays' games each year. However, his OPS+ has never risen over 132, and he has rarely led the league in offensive categories. However, 2010 was his best home-run year - his 31 home runs were seventh in the league, the highest finish he has had (he previously had bigger home totals a couple of times, but nevertheless did not finish as high as seventh).
Before the 2007 season, Wells signed one of the richest contracts in Major League history, worth 126 million dollars over 7 years. The contract soon became an albatross for the Blue Jays, as Wells' production slipped over the next two season, while his contract made him virtually untradeable.
Wells is married with two children. He is actively involved the community in Toronto; he has been the Honourary Commissioner of the Toronto Community Housing Rookie Baseball League since 2005 and he regularly conducts baseball clinics for more than 200 local children who live Toronto Community Housing units across the city.
On June 27, 2010, Wells hit the 506th homer yielded by Jamie Moyer as Moyer passed Robin Roberts for most home runs given up in the big leagues. He was presented with the 2010 Branch Rickey Award for his work with a new charitable endeavor, the Wells' Perfect 10 Foundation, also for his longtime work with the Jays Care Foundation. 2010 was also a good year on the field for Wells, after having been bothered by a wrist injury that sapped his power in 2009. He reached 30 homers for the third time in his career, belting 31, along with 44 doubles, scored 79 runs and drove in 88. After the season, the Blue Jays traded him to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in return for two veterans, C-1B Mike Napoli and OF Juan Rivera.
Vernon was the Angels' starting left fielder in 2011, with young Peter Bourjos manning centerfield, and while he played 131 games and hit 25 home runs, the rest of his production left a lot to be desired: his batting average was only .218, with an abysmal .248 OBP, and he hit only 15 doubles in spite of full-time play. With Napoli having blossomed with the Texas Rangers after the trade, and the Blue Jays having used the financial flexibility gained by getting rid of Wells' contract to improve the team, Angels general manager Tony Reagins received a lot of flack for acquiring the veteran outfielder, and paid for it by being forced to step down after the season. Things started a little better in 2012, and after 38 games, he was hitting .244, with 6 doubles and as many homers, for an OPS+ of 98 (as opposed to 83 the previous year). With the entire team, and especially Albert Pujols, struggling, there was less attention paid to Wells, although his contract was still considered among the two or three worst in the major leagues given his falling production. On May 20th, he hurt his hand while attempting a stolen base, and exams revealed ligament damage, requiring surgery and an extensive lay-off.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1999 MVP Florida State League Dunedin Blue Jays
- 3-time AL All-Star (2003, 2006 & 2010)
- 3-time AL Gold Glove Winner (2004-2006)
- AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (2003)
- AL Hits Leader (2003)
- AL Total Bases Leader (2003)
- AL Doubles Leader (2003)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 8 (2002-2006, 2008, 2010 & 2011)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (2003, 2006 & 2010)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 3 (2002, 2003 & 2006)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (2003)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (2003)
