The Los Angeles Dodgers long standing history of legends in the game of baseball is not something to be taken lightly. A franchise with as much history and iconic moments in Major League Baseball is a prime example of great players following in the footsteps of those who came before them.
During Spring Training, the Dodgers open their doors and invite several of those legends to watch the team, assessing each position and offering tidbits of advice when they deem it necessary.
Amongst those usually in attendance in recent years are Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda and Manny Mota. The likes of Eric Karros, Eric Gagné and others have popped in and out over that same period. Koufax announced this spring he is retired from his role as special advisor to the chairman, but added he would continue to be part of the Dodgers organization.
Nearly one month after Koufax, Maury Wills, a special instructor during Spring Training, announced he too was retiring after this year.
However, prior to joining other Dodgers legends on the field for a tribute to Vin Scully on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, Wills left open the possibility of calling off his retirement, via Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider:
“I said it in the spur of the moment,” explained Wills, who walked around Dodger Stadium this morning giving high-fives and posing for pictures with anyone who asked for one. “When the question was thrown at me, the emotion came out. That’s how I felt at the time. I can’t say for sure. What would I do if there were no baseball in my life? So let’s put that on the backburner for a while.”
Wills spent all but three of 14 seasons with the Dodgers organization. He was named the National League MVP in 1962, which came during a six-year stretch in which Wills led the NL or Majors in stolen bases.
This year Wills worked one-on-one with Yasiel Puig and helped the team with baserunning drills. He shares a strong relationship with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
