Vernon Wells, Retired

Date of Birth: 12/8/1978
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana

Vernon Wells was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and he spent most of the 1997 through 2001 seasons in the minor leagues, playing in just 24 games with the Blue Jays in 1999, 3 games in 2000, and 30 games in 2001. In his first full season in the major leagues in 2002, Wells batted .275, with 167 hits, 34 doubles, 23 home runs, and 100 RBIs. The following season, 2003, was his best one, with a .317 batting average and 215 hits, 49 doubles, 33 home runs, and 117 RBIs. He won his only Silver Slugger award that year.

After playing successfully for the Blue Jays through 2006, Wells received a seven-year, $126 million contract from the team. He played with the Blue Jays for four more seasons before being traded in January, 2011 to the Los Angeles Angels.

At the end of March, 2013, Wells was traded again, this time to the New York Yankees, a team he had long wanted to join. He finished the 2013 season, his last one as a major league player, with 99 hits, 16 doubles, 50 RBIs, and a .233 batting average in 130 games. Defensively, as a left fielder in 73 games, he made 137 putouts and 6 errors. He also played 23 games in right field.

Known as an outstanding fielder, Wells won three Gold Gloves (2004-2006). From 1999 through 2013, in 1,369 games at center field, he made just 20 errors.

Wells retired after the 2014 season.

Career batting statistics for Wells through 2013 include:

• 1,731 games played
• 1,794 hits
• 379 doubles
• 270 home runs
• 958 RBIs
• 956 strikeouts to 472 walks
• .270 batting average

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Vernon Wells
ESPN Sports - Vernon Wells