Willie Wilson (baseball player)

Willie James Wilson (born July 9, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He was an outfielder.

Related Topics:
July 9 - 1955 - Montgomery, Alabama - Major League Baseball - Kansas City Royals - Oakland Athletics - Chicago Cubs - Outfielder

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A leadoff hitter for most of his career, Wilson is generally regarded as the fastest runner to ever play for the Royals and some have argued he was the fastest to ever play Major League Baseball. His speed and ability to hit for high average made him an effective leadoff hitter, although he was often criticized for being impatient at the plate and not drawing very many walks.

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The Royals drafted Wilson in the first round of the 1974 draft, and he made his debut with the team as a September call-up two years later. He led the league in stolen bases in 1979, his first season as a full-time player in the majors. In 1980 he led the league in plate appearances, and his 705 official at-bats that season are still a major-league record. Additionally, Wilson won a batting title in 1982, with a .332 batting average, and made the American League All-Star team in 1982 and 1983.

Related Topics:
1979 - 1980 - 1982 - 1983

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In 1983, Wilson found himself in a drug scandal along with teammates Willie Aikens, Vida Blue, and Jerry Martin. All four pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges (attempting to purchase cocaine) and became the first active major leaguers to serve jail time, serving 81 days at a minimum security prison in Florida. He was suspended by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the entire 1984 season, but the suspension was reduced on appeal and he was able to return on May 15. The Royals traded or released the other three, with only Wilson returning to the Royals, and he hit .301 and stole 47 bases after his return.

Related Topics:
1983 - Willie Aikens - Vida Blue - Jerry Martin - Cocaine - Florida - Bowie Kuhn - 1984 - May 15

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Wilson left the Royals following the 1990 season and he wound up his career with two seasons in Oakland and parts of two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, mostly as a fourth outfielder. Wilson retired with a .285 career batting average and 668 stolen bases. He was elected to the Royals Hall of Fame in 2000.

Related Topics:
1990 - 2000

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