Ted Wills

Theodore Carl Wills (born February 9, 1934 in Fresno, California) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox from 1959-1965.

Professional career

Wills attended Fresno State University. Wills batted left-handed and threw left-handed, and he was listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 200 pounds (91 kg). The Red Sox signed Wills in 1955 as a free agent. After a few years in the minors, he made his big league debut on May 24, 1959. Throughout his career, Wills was used mostly as a reliever, appearing in 83 total games and starting 13. He was more successful as a reliever, too-he compiled a 6-4 career record as a reliever, with 5 saves and a 5.17 ERA. Overall, he went 8-11 with a 5.46 ERA with perhaps his best season being his last-in 1965, he appeared in 15 games and had an ERA of 2.84. At the plate, Wills was a solid batter-in 44 career at-bats, he hit .250 with three career doubles. Fielding wasn't his best asset-he had a .911 career fielding percentage, committing four career errors. Wills played his final game on June 12, 1965.

Transactions

• On May 8, 1962, the Reds purchased Wills from the Red Sox.
• Before the 1965 season, the Reds sent Wills to the White Sox in an unknown transaction.

Other information

• Wills wore multiple numbers in his career:
  • 28 in 1959
  • 25 in 1960-1962
  • 39 in 1962 (while with the Reds)
  • 26 in 1965

• Wills did not play Major League Baseball in 1963 or 1964.
• Wills earned $7,500 in 1965.
• Wills currently resides in Clovis, California.

Sources

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference