Wills, the Dodger franchise's all-time steals leader, is the fourth inductee into the Legends of Dodger Baseball
Wills was not able to attend the ceremony preceding Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. He provided theTimes with the text of the speech he would have given, which included "for as far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a baseball player" and "from the age of 14, when my hero, Jackie Robinson, became a Dodger, I wanted to be a Dodger."
The speech also included expressions of gratitude to many people, including former Dodgers public relations director and general manger Fred Claire and especially the late Dodger pitcher and director of community affairs Don Newcombe "who saved my life by getting me into a rehab program." "I wouldn't be here today if my friends, with the help of God, and some wonderful organizations that want to remain anonymous, hadn't literally saved my life," the speech said. "Please, if you know someone with a substance abuse problem, help them save their lives too."Wills, now 89, signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951, but with future Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese ensconced at shortstop through the 1956 season, didn't reach the majors until 1959.
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