Maury Wills, who caused panic among pitchers with his ability to steal bases as a shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers teams that won three World Series championships, has died. He was 89 years old.
Wills died Monday night at his residence in Sedona, Arizona, the team said Tuesday after being notified by family. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Wills was part of teams that established themselves in the World Series in 1959, 1963 and 1965 during his first eight seasons with the Dodgers. He also played for Pittsburgh and Montreal before returning to the Dodgers between 1969 and 1972, when he retired.
During a 14-year career, Wills batted .281 with 2,134 hits and 586 stolen bases in 1,942 games.
He was proclaimed the NL MVP in 1962 and led the NL in stolen bases from 1960 to 1965. He was also an All-Star seven times and won the Gold Glove in 1961 and 1962.
Wills had an unsuccessful stint as manager of the Seattle Mariners between 1980 and 1981, with 26 wins and 56 losses.
