VERNON WELLS OF THE
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
NAMED BANK OF AMERICA
PRESENTS THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Toronto – Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells has been named Bank of America Presents the American League Players of the Week for the period ending July 23. Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, is the presenting sponsor of the American League and National League Player of the Week Awards, which reflect Bank of America's long-standing tradition of promoting and recognizing higher standards of accomplishment.

Wells hit .448 (13-29) with a .966 slugging percentage (tops in the A.L.), three doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI's and 28 total bases. In a game against the Rangers on July 17th at Rogers Centre, Vernon went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. He went 4-for-5 with a walk-off shot to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning against Mariano Rivera in Thursday's game against the Yankees. Wells also went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in yesterday's series finale, marking his sixth multi-homer game of the season. The All-Star outfielder is currently batting .322 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI for the season. Vernon is the third Blue Jays player to win the Player of the Week Award this season, joining Roy Halladay (5/15/06) and Lyle Overbay (7/5/06).

Candidates included three Minnesota Twins teammates: outfielder Rondell White (.423, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI), catcher Joe Mauer (.500, 2 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI) and rookie left-hander Francisco Liriano (2-0, 0.66 ERA, 13.2 IP, 17 SO). Chicago White Sox right-hander Jon Garland also received consideration (2-0, 0.59 ERA, 15.1 IP, 8 SO).

In recognition of this honor, Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, is proud to award the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week Vernon Wells with a Tourneau luxury Swiss timepiece.

Major League Baseball – 24 July 2006