LA Dodgers legend Maury Wills dies aged 89 as tributes paid to seven-time All-Star and base-stealing pioneer
LEGENDARY MLB star Maury Wills has passed away at the age of 89.
The former LA Dodgers shortstop was renowned for leading the base-stealing revolution of the 1960s.
Wills spent seven years in the minor leagues before getting his MLB break in 1959.
Named as MVP in 1962, the Washington-born switch-hitter was a seven-time All-Star and won three World Series with the Dodgers.
In total, he spent ten seasons in Los Angeles over two stints after spells with Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos.
Wills led the league in stolen bases for six consecutive seasons, winning two Gold Gloves awards at shortstop.
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He was considered one of the greatest base runners in baseball history, totaling 586 steals over his career.
After retiring in 1972, Wills spent time as an analyst at NBC before a short stint in management for Seattle Mariners.
His ill-fated spell between 1980-81 ended with a record of 26-56, a winning percentage of .317.
A short Dodgers statement read: 'The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened by the passing of Dodger legend Maury Wills.
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"Our thoughts are with Wills' family, teammates and friends."
Wills never quite reached the MLB Hall of Fame, falling just short in various votes by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts paid tribute, saying: "This is a tough one for me.
"Maury was very impactful to me, personally, professionally. He's going to be missed.
"He was a friend, a father, a mentor, all of the above for me.
"This one is a tough one."
Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten added: "Maury Wills was one of the most exciting Dodgers of all time.
"He changed baseball with his base-running and made the stolen base an important part of the game.
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"He was very instrumental in the success of the Dodgers with three world championships.
As yet, no cause of death has been disclosed but it has been reported Wills passed away Monday night at his home in Sedona, Arizona.