Saturday, April 6, 2024

1960S ALL-DECADE TEAM: N.L. SHORTSTOP MAURY WILLS

Good day everyone!

On the blog today, my pick for the National League's top shortstop of the 1960s, Los Angeles Dodgers speedster Maury Wills:


While no one really dominated the position over the decade, I went with the stolen base machine, who did everything the Dodgers could have hoped for.
It's not like it was a pity-pick though, as Wills really did have a good decade, leading the league in steals six straight years between 1960-65, with a high of 104 that took the baseball world by storm in 1962, leading to his Most Valuable Player Award.
He also finished in third for M.V.P. in 1965, when he stole 94 bases to go along with his 186 hits and 92 runs scored for Los Angeles. 
During the decade Wills topped 170 hits seven times, with a high of 208 in 1962 (even though that total didn't get him a .300 batting average because of his 695 at-bats in 165 games!).
All that contributed to the Dodgers making three World Series appearances, taking home two titles in 1963 and 1965, while he was named to seven All-Star teams in addition to being awarded two Gold Gloves.
Not too shabby.