Bump Wills – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Elliott Taylor “Bump” Wills built a solid six-year Major League Baseball career as a second baseman before he retired in 1982. As the son of Los Angeles Dodgers legend Maury Wills, Bump had to figure out how to make his own mark in pro baseball, all while living with the weight of his dad’s legacy.

Wills hit .266 for his career, with 36 home runs and 302 RBIs over 831 games with the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. He also set a franchise record for stolen bases that still stands.

He went from a college player who fought back from a tough leg injury to finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. That determination really defined his time in the game.

From his early days in Spokane to his college years at Arizona State University, Wills took a winding path to the majors. He played in the minors, spent winters in Mexico, and even played in Japan later on.

His story is about breaking into pro baseball, dealing with family expectations, and showing the grit it takes to stick at the top level.

Early Life and Family Background

Elliott Taylor “Bump” Wills was born on July 27, 1952, in Washington, D.C., with his dad Maury Wills already making a name for himself in the majors.

The family moved to Spokane Valley, Washington, where Bump honed his athletic skills at Central Valley High School. They were one of the only African-American families in that mostly white community.

Birth and Childhood in Washington, D.C.

Bump Wills arrived on July 27, 1952, in Washington, D.C. The origin of his nickname? Well, the family has two stories.

Maury Wills, his dad, said he named him after Bump Elliott, a Michigan football player he admired. So, his son got both the first name Elliott and the nickname Bump.

But his mom, Gertrude Elliott, remembered it differently. She said Bump was always kicking and moving before he was born, so she called him “Bumpy,” which eventually got shortened.

Bump grew up with five siblings—an older brother named Barry and four sisters, three younger than him.

Influence of Maury Wills and Family

Having Maury Wills as a father opened some doors but also brought pressure. Maury won the 1962 NL MVP and set a record with 104 stolen bases in a season.

Every summer from fifth grade through high school, Bump visited Los Angeles while Maury played for the Dodgers. He shagged balls for Duke Snider and Gil Hodges during batting practice and sat in the dugout watching Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.

Those experiences gave Bump an early taste of the big leagues. “Between watching the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Central Valley varsity basketball team, this is where I learned the sense on how to win and what it took to be successful,” he once said.

Barry, his older brother, really pushed him to compete. Their motto was “Ask no quarter, give no quarter.” They played hard, no matter what.

Growing Up in Spokane Valley and Central Valley High School

When Maury Wills got called up to the majors in 1959, the family stayed in Spokane Valley, Washington. It was a mostly white, well-off place, and the Wills family stood out.

Bump faced challenges, but he didn’t let them hold him back. He focused on sports and thrived.

At Central Valley High School, Bump lettered in three sports for three years: baseball, football, and basketball. He played shortstop, halfback, and guard, respectively.

Central Valley won the state 4A basketball title during Barry’s senior year, while Bump was a sophomore. Watching those practices, Bump said, “was like magic.” He learned a lot about teamwork and winning.

Competing with Barry, who was two years older, gave Bump a tough edge. He was often the smaller, less experienced kid, but that just made him work harder.

Collegiate Baseball Career

Bump Wills accepted a baseball scholarship to Arizona State University after graduating high school in 1970. He became a versatile player and a switch-hitter.

His college years included back-to-back College World Series trips and some individual highlights that drew the attention of pro scouts.

Arizona State University and Academic Pursuits

Wills went to Arizona State on a baseball scholarship after high school. Maury Wills was proud, since he never got to attend college himself.

At ASU, Bump studied Mass Communications while juggling school and baseball. He played just three games as a freshman under manager Bobby Winkles in 1971.

During the summers, Bump played for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in Alaska for three years. The team won the championship in 1971, and Bump set a league record for at-bats during his time there.

Alaska gave him valuable extra playing time. He stayed close with the Brown family, who hosted him in Anchorage, for years.

Achievements at the College World Series

With Jim Brock coaching in 1972, the Sun Devils went 64-6 and won 32 straight games.

Bump broke out as a sophomore, earning All-NCAA District 7 and All-WAC honors. He hit .355, stole 24 bases, and had a 25-game hitting streak.

He made the All-College World Series team, but ASU lost to USC in the finals. Bump called it “a heartbreaking loss.”

The Sun Devils made it back to the finals in 1973, but lost to USC again. That year, Bump hit .289 and swiped 15 bases while playing shortstop.

Development of Skills and Early Recognition

Bump learned to switch-hit as a sophomore and tried left field for the first time. He felt confident hitting lefty, and his major league splits later backed that up.

He moved around the field a lot—left field as a sophomore, shortstop as a junior, and second base as a senior in 1974.

As a senior, he hit .383 with 25 stolen bases and eight home runs in 45 games. That was a big jump in power after just six home runs in his previous 126 games.

Scouts took notice. But then, a leg injury during baserunning drills two weeks before the 1974 draft put his future in doubt.

Path to the Major Leagues

Bump Wills started his road to the majors at Arizona State, where he bounced back from a serious leg injury to catch the eye of pro scouts.

He went through a couple of drafts and worked his way up the minor leagues before landing with the Texas Rangers in 1977.

Draft and Minor League Progression

The San Diego Padres picked Wills in the 12th round of the 1974 draft, but he didn’t sign. He was still recovering from that tough leg injury, and doctors weren’t sure he’d ever run the same.

He played winter ball in Mexico to prove he was healthy. The Texas Rangers then drafted him sixth overall in January 1975. Maury Wills acted as his agent, which delayed his spring training start.

Bump began his pro career with the Pittsfield Rangers in Double-A in 1975. He switched from shortstop to second base mid-season and hit .307 in 122 games. He finished third in the batting title race and made the Eastern League All-Star team as a utility player.

The next year, he moved up to the Sacramento Solons in Triple-A. He missed some time with a thumb fracture but still hit .324 with 26 home runs in 117 games.

Sacramento Solons to Texas Rangers Debut

The Rangers kept Bump in Triple-A Sacramento for all of 1976 to protect him from the expansion draft. That gave him time to polish his game.

With the Solons, Bump nearly led the league in home runs with 26. His power really caught the Rangers’ attention.

During winter ball with Naranjeros de Hermosillo, he hit .329 and led the Mexican Pacific League with 48 runs scored. He kept producing, no matter where he played.

The Rangers planned for Bump to compete with Lenny Randle for the second base job in spring training 1977. But after Randle assaulted manager Frank Lucchesi, Bump stepped into the starting role.

Topps All-Star Rookie and Rookie Accomplishments

Bump made his major league debut on Opening Day, April 7, 1977, against the Orioles at Memorial Stadium. He faced Jim Palmer, a future Hall of Famer, and came up with a game-winning hit in the 10th inning after struggling early.

He started slow, with his average dipping to .215 in May. But after a talk with his dad about the mental side of the game, Bump went 4-for-5 in Detroit on May 3 and hit his first big league homer.

His rookie year earned him a Topps All-Star Rookie spot and third place in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He finished 1977 with solid numbers and locked down the Rangers’ second base job.

On August 27, 1977, Bump and Toby Harrah hit back-to-back inside-the-park homers—only the second time that ever happened in MLB history. That play showed off Bump’s speed and instincts.

MLB Career Highlights and Performance

Bump Wills put together a strong six-year run in the majors. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1977 and set a Rangers stolen base record that still stands.

He played steady defense at second base, stole nearly 200 bases, and made a mark with both the Rangers and Cubs.

Seasons with Texas Rangers (1977–1981)

Wills debuted in the majors on April 7, 1977, at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. He faced Jim Palmer and delivered a game-winning hit in extra innings.

His rookie season felt magical, even with the Rangers going through four managers that year. Bump still finished third in Rookie of the Year voting.

His best season with the Rangers came in 1978. Wills stole 52 bases, breaking Dave Nelson’s franchise record of 51. That record is still unbroken as of 2021.

He played above-average defense at second base. Twice, he led AL second basemen in assists during his time in Texas. As a switch-hitter, he became a reliable middle infielder.

Toby Harrah, a teammate, gave Bump some key advice before his debut. Harrah warned him about Palmer’s rising fastball.

Chicago Cubs Tenure and Ryne Sandberg

Bump joined the Chicago Cubs for the 1982 season. That year turned out to be his last in the majors.

His time with the Cubs was short but mattered for the franchise. The team was bringing up young talent, including Ryne Sandberg, who’d become a star.

Bump hit .266 that season and brought veteran leadership to a rebuilding Cubs squad. They used his experience at second base as the team evolved.

After 1982, Bump thought about signing with other teams. He even talked to the New York Yankees about a spot on their roster.

Free agency was still pretty new then. Instead of sticking around in the majors, Bump decided to play in Japan for two years. That move closed the book on his MLB career after six seasons.

Key Moments and Memorable Games

His debut performance against Jim Palmer really stands out as his most memorable moment. Wills lined a 2-and-1 fastball up the middle for the winning hit in extra innings.

On May 3, 1977, in Detroit, things took a big turn. Wills was batting just .215 and honestly, he was starting to doubt himself.

After a long talk with his father Maury, he went 4-for-5 that night. He even hit his first major league home run.

That night in May 1977 sparked a hot streak for him. Wills hit .392 for the month and raised his average to .317.

This surge built up his confidence at the major league level. He finally felt like he belonged.

In 1978, he put together a record-setting season with several standout games. Those 52 stolen bases? He earned them through steady, relentless base-running all year.

Notable Teammates and Relationships

Toby Harrah played a huge role as a mentor during Wills’ rookie season with the Rangers. The veteran third baseman shared key advice about how to face different pitchers.

Wills learned a lot from working with several managers early in his career. He played for four different skippers in 1977 but still kept his focus and played well.

Fellow Arizona State alum Lenny Randle was originally competing for the same second base spot. Randle’s infamous punch of manager Frank Lucchesi gave Wills his big break.

The Rangers made sure to protect Wills from the expansion draft when the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners built their teams. That move kept him in Texas through 1981.

Statistical Overview and Playing Style

Bump Wills finished his career with a .266 batting average, 807 hits, and 36 home runs in six Major League seasons. He brought speed and solid defense to second base, swiping 196 stolen bases and earning 16.5 WAR.

Batting Average, Hits, and Slugging

Wills stayed pretty steady at the plate, hitting .266 over 831 games. His best year at the plate was 1977, when he batted .287 and collected 155 hits as a rookie.

He racked up 807 career hits, with his peak in 1980 at 152 hits. Wills showed he could make contact, striking out 441 times in 3,440 plate appearances.

His slugging percentage wasn’t flashy, just .360 for his career. He hit 128 doubles and 24 triples, showing a bit of gap power even if the home runs didn’t come often.

His OPS peaked at .771 in 1977, and that season got him third place in Rookie of the Year voting.

Stolen Bases, Runs, and Home Runs

Speed set Wills apart. He stole 196 bases in his six-year career, with his best showing in 1978 when he swiped 52 for Texas.

He scored 472 runs, crossing home plate 102 times in 1980 alone. Wills averaged 92 runs per 162 games, making the most of his speed and base-running instincts.

Power wasn’t really his game—he hit 36 home runs total. His top home run season came in 1977, with nine. Wills drove in 302 RBIs, with his best single season at 62 in 1977.

WAR and Defensive Contributions

Wills piled up 16.5 WAR in his career, with his best season in 1977 at 5.4 WAR. He played almost exclusively at second base and made a real difference on defense.

His fielding percentage was .979, right around the league average for his era. Wills turned 495 double plays and had 1,815 putouts at second.

He showed above-average range, especially in 1977 when his defensive metrics looked strong. Most of his WAR came from offense and base-running, though.

With Texas, he put up 15.6 WAR over five seasons, showing he was a steady everyday player. He wrapped up his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1982.

International Play and Later Baseball Involvement

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1982, Wills kept playing overseas and later got into coaching and player development. He spent two seasons in Japanese professional baseball and worked in various minor league coaching jobs.

Years in Japanese Professional Baseball (Hankyu)

Wills headed to Japan and played two seasons with the Hankyu Braves from 1983 to 1984. That move let him keep playing after his time with the Cubs ended.

The Hankyu Braves were part of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Pacific League. Wills brought his experience as a big league second baseman to the Japanese game.

His time in Japan mirrored what a lot of American players did—extend their careers and see a new baseball culture. The experience gave him a look at different playing styles.

After two years with Hankyu, Wills called it a playing career. He came back from Japan and shifted his attention to coaching and player development.

Managerial and Coaching Roles in Minor Leagues

Once he finished playing, Wills moved into coaching in the minor leagues. His background as a former Major Leaguer made him a valuable teacher for young players.

He worked with several minor league teams over his coaching career. Wills shared his knowledge and helped prospects figure out what it takes to move up.

He focused on fundamentals and mental preparation. Having played at the top level, Wills could relate to what up-and-coming players faced.

Coaching let him stay connected to the game and pass on his expertise. His work in the minors helped develop talent across different organizations.

Contributions to Player Development

Wills put a lot of effort into helping young players after his playing days. He worked with high school players in Spokane Valley and ran coaching clinics in Dallas, Texas.

He emphasized both technical skills and mental preparation. Wills knew how important fundamentals and mindset were for success.

His clinics and coaching reached a lot of young athletes. With his experience as a Major Leaguer and someone who battled through injuries, he offered a unique perspective.

The Society for American Baseball Research noted, “Instead of working with professionals, he turned his passion for the sport towards helping youth players through coaching and instructional clinics.”

Wills’ commitment to developing young talent really showed his dedication to giving back. He made youth baseball his main focus after retiring.

Post-Retirement Life and Legacy

After hanging up his cleats in 1982, Bump Wills moved into baseball management and stayed close to the sport that shaped his life. His impact on baseball went beyond his playing days, and people often compared his career to that of his Hall of Fame father.

Life After Baseball and Community Engagement

Wills left professional baseball after his last season with the Cubs in 1982. He kept playing briefly, spending two seasons with the Hankyu Braves in Japan from 1983 to 1984.

When he returned to Texas, Wills got involved in youth baseball development. He managed the Royse City Griffins and worked to nurture local talent.

Moving from big leaguer to community baseball leader felt pretty natural for him. His experience gave young players a lot to learn from.

Wills kept a lower profile after retiring compared to his playing days. He went through some changes in his personal life, including multiple marriages, but he stayed focused on baseball.

Legacy in the Game and Honors

Wills left a lasting mark on the Texas Rangers with his stolen base record. In 1978, he stole 52 bases, breaking Dave Nelson’s single-season record of 51 from 1972.

That record still stood as of 2021, which says a lot about how tough it is to beat. It’s one of the Rangers’ longest-lasting single-season records.

He made an impact on defense too, leading American League second basemen in assists twice. Wills’ fielding got plenty of respect.

Collectors loved the 1979 Topps baseball card featuring Wills. That card kept his memory alive for fans long after he stopped playing.

His third-place finish in the 1977 American League Rookie of the Year voting showed how quickly he made a difference as a big leaguer.

Comparison with Maury Wills

People constantly compared Bump to his father, Maury Wills, all through his career and even after. Maury Wills, the 1962 National League MVP, starred for the Los Angeles Dodgers and pretty much changed base stealing forever.

Even with all that pressure from his last name, Bump managed to carve out his own identity. He played six years in the majors, hit .266, and racked up 196 stolen bases, which definitely proved he belonged.

Sure, Maury picked up bigger awards, but Bump set the Rangers’ stolen base record, and that gave him a legacy of his own. The father-son thing in baseball? It comes with its own weird pressures, and Bump really had to find his own way through all that.

Both guys added something to the stolen base tradition, just in their own times and on different teams. Their story really shows how a father and son can leave a mark on the game.