I saw the photo that accompanies this post on X the other day, and it got me thinking about how some players you just take for granted. Willie Davis was one of those for me.
I saw Willie play many times. He was a gazelle in the outfield. Gliding across the grass to make even the hardest of catches look easy.
From his stance in the left-handed batters box, he could get down to first base about as fast as any player I have ever seen. His speed was his greatest asset.
Born in Mineral Springs, Arkansas on April 15th, 1940, not much is available on the internet as to his family history and upbringing.
In his youth at some point, his family moved to Los Angeles. Willie when he was in high school was a three-sport standout in baseball, basketball and track and field. He went to Theodore Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights.
He once ran a 9.5 in the 100 yard dash and set a city record in the long jump of 25 feet 5 inches. He was scouted by Kenny Myers, who also signed Roy Gleason a few years later.
Davis signed with the Dodgers upon graduation from high school in 1958. He played his first pro game in 1959 when he was sent to Class-C Reno. He hit .365 with 15 homers and 90 RBIs before being promoted to Green Bay’s Class-B team. He only played a handful of games there.
In 1960, the Dodgers sent him to AAA Spokane of the PCL. Davis hit .346 in 147 games and earned a late season call up to the big club, getting into 22 games and hitting .318. 9 of his 28 hits went for extra bases.
He made the roster out of spring training in 1961 and took over as the full time center fielder. He was replacing Hall of Famer Duke Snider.
Willie would hit .254 in his rookie campaign. He hit 12 long balls and drove in 45 runs. He showed some of his speed on the bases with 12 stolen bases. He also had 6 triples.
The Dodgers moved into their new stadium in 1962 and Davis showed some of the promise and skills he had shown in the minors with a much improved, .285 average with 21 homers, 85 driven in, 10 triples and 32 stolen bases.
Although he showed flashes of becoming an outstanding center fielder, he still had some moments where he would not make the easy plays. But he had 11 outfield assists in 62. He would be in double figures for the next five years.
In 1963 the Dodgers were on their way to another pennant and World Series win. Willie Davis saw his production drop a lot. His batting average went down 40 points to .245. He hit 9 homers, drove in 60 runs and stole 25 bases. His OBP was under .300. In the World Series against the Yankees, Willie went 2-12 with 3 driven in.
Many years later I would read a story that claimed Buzzie Bavasi felt Willie was not living up to his skills. And even contemplated trading him at some point.
In 1964, he totally turned it around and hit .294. He had 180 hits, a career high to that point. 42 of those went for extra bases. Willie was not a power hitter, nor did he strike out much. Conversely, he did not walk much either.
His career OBP of .311 speaks to that stat. He also stole 42 bases in 64. Looking forward to 1965, there was a lot of hope that this Willie would be around a while.
In 1965, another pennant and World Series win season, Davis once again went the other way. His batting average sank 56 points to .238.
The next season, his average improved again to .284. The Dodgers would win the pennant again, but were swept in the World Series by the Orioles. Willie had a very forgettable series. He made 3 errors in game two on two consecutive plays.
He was 1-16 at the plate joining all the other members of the team who suffered the indignity of being shut out the last three games.
The next two seasons, the Dodgers were not very good. They finished 8th in 67 and 7th in 68. Sandy Koufax had retired after the 66 season, Wills was traded away, and so was Tommy Davis.
Willie struggled both seasons finishing with marks of .257 and .250. Never one to walk much, his OBP was under .300 both seasons.
The Dodgers improved in 1969 and Willie had his best season. He batted .311, a career high, and he set a Dodger record with a 31 game hitting streak from August 1st to September 3rd. He had 11 homers, 8 triples and 23 doubles. He stole 24 bases, and his OBP was also a career high of .356.
He repeated his success in 1970 with a .305 average, 23 doubles, a career high 16 triples, which led the league, 8 homers and a career high 93 runs batted in. He also stole 38 bases.
He showed no signs of slowing down in 71 at age 31. He hit .309, marking three straight seasons over the .300 mark. He had a career high 198 hits. He had 33 doubles, 10 triples and 10 homers. He only stole 20 bases, and his RBI total dropped to 74, but he made his first All-Star team and won his first gold glove.
It was no surprise that the team improved over those two seasons and finished in 2nd place both years. It was the start of a run of four straight 2nd place finishes.
Willie kept up his production in 72, just under the .300 mark at .289, but he crushed 19 homers, his second highest total in his career, stole 20 bases, had 7 triples and 22 doubles. He also won his second gold glove.
It was more of the same in 1973, .285/16/77. He stole 17 bases. At age 33 he was playing some of his best baseball. He made the All-Star team for the second time and won his third consecutive gold glove.
In doing so, he became the first National League outfielder who threw left-handed to do that. He was the second major leaguer to do that. The first, future Dodger Vic Davalillo.
Willie fared better in his two All-Star appearances than he did in the postseason, going 3-3 with a homer off of Nolan Ryan. He headed home to wait for 1974 and hopefully more success and a pennant for LA.
But it wasn’t to be. At the winter meetings on December 5th, the Dodgers traded Davis to the Expos for reliever Mike Marshall. Marshall would win the Cy Young award and pitch in an incredible 104 games.
Davis was replaced in center by Jimmy Wynn, the Toy Cannon who came over in a trade with the Astros for Claude Osteen and a minor leaguer. This happened the day after Willie was traded.
Davis had a solid year for the Expos. He hit .295, led the team in hits, runs, triples, doubles and RBIs. It was his only season in Montreal. He was traded on Dec 5th again, this time to the Rangers for Don Stanhouse and Pete Mackanin.
He only played in 42 games for Texas and was traded on June 4th to the Cardinals for Ed Brinkman and Tommy Moore.
Willie hit .291 for the Cardinals. Then in October, he was traded for the third time in a year when the Cardinals sent him to San Diego for Dick Sharon. He spent 1976 with the Padres, batting .268 in 141 games.
He went to Japan to play in 1977 and 78, playing for the Chunichi Dragons and Crown Lighter Lions. He returned to the US and spent 43 games with the Angels and then retired at the age of 39.
He finished with 2,561 hits, 182 HR’s, 1053 RBIs, a .279 BA and 338 stolen bases. When he retired, his 2,237 games played in center field trailed only Willie Mays.
Davis married twice and had two daughters and a son. Willie had converted to Buddhism while married to his second wife. He constantly fingered his prayer beads and chanted before games.
When he went to Japan, he hoped his teammates would embrace his religion, but his enthusiastic display of his religion disturbed his Japanese teammates and they felt as if they were at a Buddhist funeral his manager Wally Yonamine said.
Davis appeared on several TV shows while a Dodger. Mr. Ed, The Flying Nun, and Owen Marshall: Attorney at Law. He also co-starred with Jerry Lewis in the film, Which Way to the Front.
As he got older, he fell on hard times. Don Newcombe, who worked for the Dodgers, reached out to help. Newk had been helping many exe players and service men deal with substance abuse and alcohol problems.
Willie was found dead in his home in Burbank on March 9, 2010, by a neighbor who sometimes brought him breakfast.
Willie was 69 years old.
Trade proposal: Arozarena for Vargas, Cartaya & Frasso.
I loved to watch Willie play CF. He seemed like a cool guy with a great smile and demeanor. I didn’t realize he had over 2500 hits in his career. He was always considered an underachiever by the press and many fans.
I remember being at a game during his hitting streak. He hit a game winning single in the bottom of the ninth that not only won the game, but extended his streak to 30 games. Dodger stadium went crazy!!
Bear, thanks for the research and article on “Three Dog”.
I remember the first time I saw Davis hit a triple. It was at the Coliseum in ‘60 I think. Maybe ’61. The adults sitting around us were all saying he was the fastest runner they’d ever seen on a baseball field. It felt like I had just watched the fastest runner ever to play baseball hit a triple. Quite a memory.
Davis was a legend in high school track and field in Southern California. Later, in ‘65, my best friend in high school started a back room high school track and field publication and he somehow got a hold of pictures of Davis’ record setting 25’ long jump and 9.5 hundred (world class speed) at Roosevelt High. I had that those pictures for years, but have no idea what happened to them.
Davis had a quad double twice I believe, having double figures in home runs, triples, doubles and stolen bases. I wonder what that would be worth today? He was fun to watch play baseball. There was nobody like him in MLB.
Gabe Kapler has been hired by Miami as an Assistant General Manager.
I just read an Athletic article about Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo. The article was very well written, but never addressed how he became Ohtani’s agent. Wheather it’s Ohtani’s demand or Balelo’s desire, Ohtani is sheltered from the media. He rarely makes himself available to the press other than when he pitches and that’s for a couple of questions.
When Ohtani injured his oblique that ended his season, he shows up when the clubhouse is empty and clears out his locker. No acknowledgement to his teammates or the front office. Very self centered and inconsiderate on his part. I mean six years and then leaves without a word? Why?
It’s like Ohtani shows up for the game and then slides back into the darkness only to reappear again for the next game. I realize there is a language issue, but for an estimated 10 year $500MM contract how does that type “stealth” availability justified? He was like this Japan too. Rarely ventured out into the real world.
With all the parameters and secrecy going on during the signing process, that alone would be enough to have a hard no in spending that much money for 10 years or so. To be constantly on egg shells hoping not to upset the “Great Ohtani”. No thanks. I have learned that if things start out “unusual” or demanding they don’t improve as time goes on. A large reason to justify spending that much money was not only for Ohtani’s baseball skills, but for business relationships as well. How does the business part develop if he doesn’t like or want to be around people or the media?
Bottom line for me is no way I’m signing this enigma no matter how highly skilled he is at baseball. Let me know what you think.
Carry on.
Guardians open to trading All Star closer Emmanuel Clase who is signed for a reasonable $4MM per year for the next three years with a two option years in 27-28. He had an off year in 2023, but with all the excess prospect pitching the Dodgers have why not check it out. Clase, Graterol, Phillips available to close on cheap contracts? All day, everyday!
Just read where Ohtani probably has already made up his mind where he intends to sign.
I think it is good for professional golf that Tiger is going to try to play once a month.
I read where the Rangers, Mets, and Red Sox are no longer in the Ohtani market. With Seattle out and the Giants being a non winning team it looks like the market is down to the Angels and the Dodgers. If that’s the case, the asking price has to be falling as well. I think the answer is just days away. Then the FA market should break open. Hopefully, AF and Gomes can get a trade or two done before that happens.
A lot of minor moves happening. Nothing major yet. Marlins hired John Mabry as their hitting coach and Bill Mueller as an assistant.
I have been on the Randy Arozarena bandwagon for a while. I just did not think he would be available for a trade. I am still not convinced TB would move him. Randy Arozarena is the exact type of player the Dodgers should be looking at to make a difference in the postseason. In 128 PA (113 AB) in the postseason – .336/.414/.690/1.104, 11 HR, 17 XBH, 17 RBI. He is a RH hitter who is okay defensively in LF. When the playoff lights come on, Arozarena comes to play.
Both Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Teoscar Hernandez would simply cost $$$ in FA, but I think there could be a suitable prospect capital return that would not hurt LAD and could entice TB.
As STB indicated, Cartaya/Vargas/Frasso is an extreme overpay. AF is not used to overpaying. Cartaya and Vargas is a modest overpay, and might be acceptable from the LAD side. But TB is not going to trade Arozarena without getting controllable MLB ready pitching in return (IMO). Cartaya and Stone might work.
I would prefer to see the trade expanded to include Tyler Glasnow. He is injury prone, and that with his $25MM price tag will bring the prospect level down somewhat. He also comes with a $1MM trade assignment bonus. Glasnow is a local kid from Hart High School in Santa Clarita. Wasserman is his agent, so it could be an amenable relationship going forward.
Some interesting trade scenarios on the Simulator for Arozarena and Glasnow.
Arozarena alone – Cartaya/Knack/Bruns/Deluca – AF does not do this deal
Glasnow alone – Michael Grove and Landon Knack – Probably not enough for TB
I doubt that any of them are realistic, but of the group, I like the Andy Pages and Ryan Pepiot for Arozarena and Glasnow deal for both teams. Pages might be a suitable Arozarena replacement and Pepiot is a controllable MLB pitcher. Besides being costly, Glasnow is a risk because of injuries. But when he is healthy, it is hard to find a better pitcher. And Arozarena is the RH bat the Dodgers need, and he is prolific in the playoffs. All trades come with risk.
I would be happier with the other three for both, but I doubt that TB would be.
Yesterday the Dodgers lost a key development piece. After 8 years in the Dodgers organization, Shaun Larkin is moving to Arizona as the new Director of Player Development. It is not like the Dodgers do not have others in their pipeline, but he will be missed, and Arizona has improved in their development arena.
https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1730385660572541354?s=20
USC has their new defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn is coming over from UCLA to take the position.
If the Dodgers sign Ohtani….
Guardians: Improve the offense
Whether they trade starter Shane Bieber or someone else, the Guardians need to find a way to acquire a Major League-ready bat (preferably with plenty of power). Muncy?
If a three team trade were made…
Royals: Find a starter
The Royals set out this winter to acquire one or two starters they can not only rely on for innings in 2024, but someone who can help the rest of the rotation take a step forward as well.
Cease and after all the other pieces land, Witt to the Dodgers
From Bob Nightengale – You may not like him, but I think he gets why LAD ownership wants Ohtani…
https://twitter.com/DodgersNation/status/1730666411738247573?s=20
Ben Nicholson-Smith, who covers the Blue Jays, reports that Ohtani and his agent will be meeting with “a small group of” teams here in L.A. this weekend.
Hopefully that leads to a quick decision because it would lead to a lot of other movement on trades and signings.
C’mon Shohei, the success of the 2023 Winter Meetings depends on your immediate decision. I’m giving you until Moday night, 6:00 PM Nashville time. If no conclusion by then, flip a coin.
Yanks talks on Soto have stalled and the Blue Jays are now actively involved.
Padres interested in Burnes.
3-way deals are fun. Maybe this turns into one.
No way I am putting anchovies and onions on a pizza. Give me the meat lovers. Sausage, peperoni, chicken and hamburger. A cardiac arrest waiting to happen.
The Dodgers need to take care of the ‘edges’ of their roster. Signing Heyward is such a move. Strengthening their bench through astute choices can make or break a season. Everyone is focused on Ohtani. Ohtani doesn’t bat or pitch every inning. Focus on the team and build through talent at each position. No more mobs in LF or infield. Make some hard choices and maximize each position and pitching rotation.No more Mr. Fixit, Mr. Friedman.
Awesome post about my baseball hero “The 3-Dog” – I also run the Willie Davis fan page on Facebook if you’re interested it’s http://facebook.com/WillieDavis1940
–
I made 2 of Willie’s kids co-admins with me … Kim & Casey.
–
one thing about your post is that it sort of ends with Willie on hard times & then his death … but Willie had straightened out his personal life in 2003 and was hired by the Dodgers as a legend with the Speakers Bureau – talking to kids about the evils of drugs & alcohol – he did that the last 6 years of his life – so the last 6 years of his life Willie was doing pretty good and that turn around should be mentioned. Thanks.