Vernon Wells

Vernon Wells
Wells with the New York Yankees
Center fielder
Born: (1978-12-08) December 8, 1978 (age 38) Shreveport, Louisiana
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 30, 1999, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 2013, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.270
Home runs	270
Runs batted in	958
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (1999–2010) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2011–2012) New York Yankees (2013)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2003, 2006, 2010) 3× Gold Glove Award (2004–2006) Silver Slugger Award (2003)

Vernon Michael Wells III (born December 8, 1978) is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the New York Yankees.

Wells has appeared on three All-Star teams in his career, been awarded three Gold Glove Awards, and one Silver Slugger Award. He is second all-time for the Blue Jays in career hits, doubles, runs, RBI and total bases, and fourth in home runs, behind Carlos Delgado, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnación.

Wells was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to Vernon Wells, Jr. and grew up in Arlington, Texas, where his family moved in 1988. His father played in the Canadian Football League and is an accomplished painter. In 1993, Wells entered Arlington's Bowie High School where he played quarterback on the football team and was an outfielder on the baseball team. In his senior year, he batted .565 with 7 home runs and 20 runs batted in (RBI). Before entering the Major League Baseball Draft, Wells signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas at Austin to play baseball and football (as a wide receiver).