A New Energy for Vernon Wells Under the Halo

Vernon’s baseball journey began in his birth town of Shreveport, Louisiana, also known as Sportsman’s Paradise. The Wells family, a short time later, moved to Arlington, Texas when Vernon was only in elementary school. Vernon’s father, Vernon Wells Jr., introduced Vernon to football and baseball at a young age. As an accomplished sports artist, his father exposed him to professional athletes, especially baseball players that came through the Texas Rangers’ Stadium. This exposure peaked young Vernon’s interest in baseball as he met some of the baseball greats like Rickey Henderson, Dave Parker, Dave Stewart and Reggie Jackson.

Today, we know Vernon as an accomplished outfielder. However, at the age of seven, he began his Little League career as an infielder. That all changed when Vernon was merely ten years old. He experienced the age old “welcome to baseball” moment when he misplayed a ground ball and took a shot to the face. It was then his request to be as far away from the infield as possible. He eventually settled into centerfield and has now become a three-time Majore League Gold Glove winner at that position.

Vernon took his parents’ advice and worked hard in the classroom. He practiced tirelessly at football and baseball devoting most summers to both sports. He became an accomplished two-sport athlete, starring as a high school All-State performer in football as quarterback and in baseball.

Vernon’s drive comes from a heart that relishes his life as a father and a husband, thrives on the accomplishments of his children and believes in helping any child who hasn’t enjoyed a healthy family lifestyle.

Vernon’s baseball journey began in his birth town of Shreveport, Louisiana, also known as Sportsman’s Paradise. The Wells family, a short time later, moved to Arlington, Texas when Vernon was only in elementary school. Vernon’s father, Vernon Wells Jr., introduced Vernon to football and baseball at a young age. As an accomplished sports artist, his father exposed him to professional athletes, especially baseball players that came through the Texas Rangers’ Stadium. This exposure peaked young Vernon’s interest in baseball as he met some of the baseball greats like Rickey Henderson, Dave Parker, Dave Stewart and Reggie Jackson.

Today, we know Vernon as an accomplished outfielder. However, at the age of seven, he began his Little League career as an infielder. That all changed when Vernon was merely ten years old. He experienced the age old “welcome to baseball” moment when he misplayed a ground ball and took a shot to the face. It was then his request to be as far away from the infield as possible. He eventually settled into centerfield and has now become a three-time Majore League Gold Glove winner at that position.

Vernon took his parents’ advice and worked hard in the classroom. He practiced tirelessly at football and baseball devoting most summers to both sports. He became an accomplished two-sport athlete, starring as a high school All-State performer in football as quarterback and in baseball.

Of course, it didn’t hurt to have athleticism in the family. Vernon Jr. played Division 1 football at Texas Christian University and also played professionally in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders.

Growing up in Texas, high school football is king and happened to be a sport Vernon loved. However, it was clear his talent as a baseball player could take him to the professional level. In his senior year of high school, Vernon batted .565 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs and was named Texas High School Player of the Year. His size, speed and success as a hitter drew the attention of baseball executives all over the professional arena. The Toronto Blue Jays emerged as lead candidates to draft Vernon. 

But before the Blue Jays could draft him in the first round of the 1997 draft as the fifth overall pick, Vernon would sign his letter of intent to the University of Texas to play football. He expected to play both sports, but ultimately, Vernon knew his love and dedication for baseball had a great chance of success. And 13 seasons in Major League Baseball later, he was right. 

Fans of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim who may not know much about Vernon Wells will quickly find he takes as much pride in his defense as he does in his offense…and always has. Saving a run with a great defensive play can be just as meaningful as providing a base hit or home run that will awaken and excite the Angels’ famed Rally Monkey.

It is precisely that dedication to being a complete baseball player that ultimately attracted the Angels and had made Vernon a foundation of the Toronto Blue Jays organization as the starting centerfielder for nine seasons.

He tasted his first major league action in 1999 when he hit .261 in just 24 games. He was a September call-up for the next few years. His next major action came in 2001 when he showed much more patience as a hitter and delivered a .313 average in 30 games. At the end of the 2001 season, Vernon knew he had a great shot at making the team coming out of Spring Training. After a strong spring and with a great attitude and clear dedication to the game, the Toronto Blue Jays gave Vernon Wells the shot he’d been waiting for as the new centerfielder.

In his first full year as a starter, Vernon made his mark as a hitter by showing versatility in the lineup batting in either the five, six or seven slot. He didn’t just make his mark either, he burst onto the scene. During the first week of the season, he homered in two consecutive games against the perennial powerhouse, New York Yankees. Vernon wrapped up that first season batting .275 with 23 homeruns, 100 RBIs and 87 runs scored. He not only had solidified his starting job but rewarded the Blue Jays for their investment.

In 2003, Vernon’s development as a professional player continued. He raised his batting average 42 points from his rookie year, finishing at .317 overall, which was good for 4th in the American League. He also once again delivered as a run producer, finishing 3rd in the AL in both RBIs with 117 and runs scored with 118. His remarkable second full season also saw him lead the American League with 215 hits, 49 doubles and 373 total bases. He finished eighth in voting for the American League MVP.

Vernon’s accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed. He was voted into his first All-Star game and won the Silver Slugger award as the most outstanding offensive player at his position. Illustrating Vernon’s continued evolution as a well-rounded hitter, one of the highlights of his 2003 season was a 20-game hitting streak that included five homeruns in four days.

The 2004 season was marked by ups and downs for Vernon and the Blue Jays team. Injuries to teammates Roy Halladay and Carlos Delgado hurt the pitching and hitting. Vernon himself saw time on the disabled list for the first time in his career. Despite the highs and lows, Vernon stayed focused on improving and playing his hardest every time he stepped on the field. Although his offensive numbers fell, he still continued to improve defensively and was awarded the first of his three Gold Gloves.

Vernon rededicated himself after that season and prepared for a comeback in 2005. His hard work paid off as he once again put up impressive numbers despite less protection in the lineup. He took on more responsibility for the team’s offensive production and delivered 28 homeruns, 97 RBIs and 78 runs. He also once again contributed a great deal on the defensive end, pulling in his second Gold Glove.

In 2006, Vernon delivered another strong season displaying his ability to hit for both average and power. His final line was a .303 batting average, 32 homeruns and 106 RBI’s with 91 runs scored and a career high 17 stolen base. One of the many highlights that year was a three-homerun game against the Boston Red Sox, two of which came off Cy Young winner Josh Beckett. Vernon’s center field work was honored with his third Gold Glove and his second trip to the MLB All-Star Game.

In 2007, the Toronto Blue Jays were a team in transition and Vernon was challenged as part of a line-up of other talented young players who were struggling. In addition, he battled a shoulder injury he suffered early in the season which significantly affected his power and approach at the plate. Still, Vernon had some outstanding career achievements during the 2007 season, including scoring the 500th run of his career and delivering his 1000th hit. The hit came in Vernon’s 890th game of his Blue Jays career, making him the third fastest in club history to reach this milestone. Finally, Vernon surpassed the 150 career homerun mark, placing him 5th on the all-time list of Blue Jay homerun hitters.

2008 was bittersweet for Vernon and the Blue Jays. They had a strong run at the playoffs in one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Vernon was off to a great start before he broke his wrist on May 8 while making a diving catch. He returned June 7 with a hot bat, only to find himself back on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. In all, injuries robbed Vernon of more than 50 games. Even after missing more than two months of the season, he still managed to hit 20 homeruns, (an accomplishment in five of his last six seasons,) a .300 batting average and 78 RBIs in just 108 games. Projecting his level of production out to a full 162 game season, Vernon could have delivered a stat line of .300, 33 homeruns, 117 RBIs and 92 runs scored.

Vernon rebounded in a big way for the Blue Jays in both 2009 and 2010, playing nearly full seasons both years. In fact, 2010 proved to be one of Vernon’s better seasons in his overall career. His batting average was .273, an increase from a 2009 mark of .260. His home run total climbed to 31 – seventh in the American League – while his RBIs went up to 88 and his slugging percentage went from .400 to .515, the ninth best among all American Leaguers. He also logged 78 extra-base hits, fourth best for the league. Defensively, Vernon led all American League centerfielders in fielding percentage. Together those accomplishments earned him All-Star recognition in 2010.

Vernon is excited about the 2011 season as a Los Angeles Angel. Despite an extremely competitive American League West, Vernon knows the Angels are capable of success and looks forward to bringing his big bat and Gold Glove and leading them to a return to the playoffs.