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- Vernon amassed a treasure trove of honors in 1999. Most impressive was the unprecedented feat of being tabbed “Top Prospect” by opposing managers in three different leagues (Florida State League, Southern League and International League). In the FSL, he was also named Most Valuable Player, Best Batting Prospect, Best Defensive Outfielder and Most Exciting Player. Baseball America listed him as the Number One prospect in each of the three leagues, and Howe Sportsdata placed him on itsprestigious All-Prospect Team.
- Vernon is one of just three centerfielders in baseball history to drive in 100 runs in each of his first two full seasons. The other two are Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio and Al Simmons.
- On September 21, 2002, Vernon made some history for the Blue Jays by hitting the 4,000th home run in franchise history.
- Vernon led the AL in hits in 2003. The last Blue Jay to accomplish that was 2004 Hall of Fame inductee Paul Molitor.
- Vernon won the 2003 Silver Slugger Award as the American League s top offensive player at his position.
- Of Vernon’s 58 major league home runs through 2003, every one was to leftfield or centerfield.
- Vernon is friends with Minnesota’s Torii Hunter, and often works out with him during the offseason.
- Vernon treated himself to a BMW 745 after signing a lucrative contract extension in the spring of 2003.
- Former A’s pitching star Dave Stewart, who once watched Vernon in a Little League game, crossed paths with him again as Toronto’s assistant general manager under Gord Ash.
- Vernon doesn’t know much about his father’s football career. “Dad liked to talk trash…he had the big afro…that’s most of what I know.”
- Vernon’s father designed trading cards for Upper Deck in the early 1990s.
- In January 2004, James Bowie High School held a "Vernon Wells Night" to honor the 1997 graduate. During the ceremony, his number 10 was retired.
- Vernon is the Blue Jay player rep.
Joe DiMaggio Autographed
Photo
Paul Molitor, 1994
SCD Card
Vernon Wells Jr.
Upper Deck Cards