Bump Wills

Elliott Taylor "Bump" Wills (born July 27, 1952) is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers (1977–81) and Chicago Cubs (1982). He also played two seasons in Japan for the Hankyu Braves (1983–84). He is the son of Maury Wills, the former major league shortstop who later managed the Seattle Mariners.

Playing career

Wills and teammate Toby Harrah hit back-to-back inside-the-park home runs on Saturday, August 27, 1977, only the second time this feat has ever occurred in a Major League Baseball game, and the only time it occurred on consecutive pitches. Harrah's HR came on a drive to the right-center field gap; on the play, Yankee outfielder Lou Piniella hit the wall and was injured. By the time another player was able to retrieve the ball, Harrah was being waved home. Wills' HR came on a drive to center field over the head of Mickey Rivers. Also in 1977, Wills controversially replaced Lenny Randle at second base, which led to Randle's punching Rangers manager Frank Lucchesi in the face.

In 1978 Wills stole 52 bases, breaking Dave Nelson's single-season franchise record of 51 in 1972; the number remains a Ranger record for thefts in a season.

Wills retired at the end of the 1982 season and later played in Japan. His career batting average was .266.

Personal life

Wills grew up in Spokane, Washington, and coached at Central Valley High School, where he graduated in 1970. He regularly managed clinics for younger players in the area as well.

Bump married Laverne Wills in 1977 and had one child, his daughter, Mauricia Morning Wills, named after his Father, Maury Wills. He later divorced and remarried in 1989 and had two daughters during that marriage, Meagan and Madeline Wills.

Wills now lives in Garland, Texas, with his wife Deborah. He coaches for the Dallas Mustangs, a renown youth select baseball club.