William Henry Davis Jr (1940 - 2010)

Born 15 Apr 1940 in Mineral Springs, Howard, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Mar 2010 at age 69 in Burbank, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

William Davis Jr is a part of US Black heritage.

William Davis Jr is Notable.

Willie Davis Jr. is a notable person because he is considered one of the fastest and most iconic players in Major League Baseball history. His exceptional speed and agility as an outfielder and base runner, combined with his impressive career statistics, including a 31-game hitting streak, made him a standout player. Davis's contributions to the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series championships in 1963 and 1965, along with his multiple Gold Glove Awards and All-Star selections, further solidify his status as a baseball legend. Despite not being included in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, his impact on the sport and his place among the top athletes from Arkansas underscore his enduring legacy in baseball.^[1]

Early Life and Roots

Born on April 15, 1940, in the charming town of Mineral Springs, Howard County, Arkansas, Willie Davis Jr. came into the world as the son of William Henry Davis Sr. and Maudest (Burt) Davis. Little did anyone know that this Arkansas native would become one of the fastest and most iconic players in Major League Baseball history.^[1]

From Arkansas to Los Angeles

In 1940, Willie Davis lived in Blackland Township, Howard County, Arkansas.^[2] However, as a young boy, he made a significant move to Los Angeles. There, he attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, where his athletic prowess began to shine. Davis was a standout in three sports: baseball, basketball, and track and field. His blazing speed was already evident, with a 9.5-second 100-yard dash and a city record long jump of 25 feet 5 inches.^[1]

Discovering a Diamond in the Rough

Davis's talent did not go unnoticed. Dodgers scout Kenny Myers spotted the young athlete and signed him after his graduation from Roosevelt in 1958. This marked the beginning of an illustrious baseball career.^[1]

A Career in Major League Baseball

From 1960 to 1979, Willie Davis Jr. made his mark on Major League Baseball as a center fielder. His most notable years were spent as an integral member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he contributed to three National League pennants and two World Series titles between 1963 and 1966.^[1]

The Speedster of the 1960s

Willie Davis was renowned for his exceptional speed and agility, both as an outfielder and base runner. He secured three Gold Glove Awards during his tenure with the Dodgers and was a two-time National League All-Star player. He ranks fifth among center fielders in career putouts in MLB history.^[1]

A Record-Breaking Career

Davis's career statistics were impressive. At the time of his retirement in 1979, he had accumulated 2,561 hits and ranked seventh in major league history in outfield putouts and total chances. He also held several Los Angeles club records, including career hits, runs, triples, at-bats, total bases, and extra base hits.^[1]

One of Davis's most notable achievements was his 31-game hitting streak in 1969, a Dodgers team record that still stands more than four decades after his retirement.^[1]

A Key Player in World Series Success

Davis played a pivotal role in the Dodgers' World Series championships in 1963 and 1965. In the 1963 World Series, he delivered the game-winning run with a crucial double in game 2 and secured the winning RBI with a sacrifice fly in game 4, clinching the championship. In the 1965 World Series, he set a stolen base record with three stolen bases in a single game.^[1]

Challenges and Triumphs

Despite his remarkable career, Davis faced challenges, including committing a World Series record three errors in a single inning during the 1966 World Series. However, he also made memorable plays, such as a leaping catch at the centerfield fence to rob an opponent of a home run.^[1]

A Season of Streaks and Accomplishments

In 1969, Davis achieved a career-high batting average of .311 and a 31-game hitting streak, the longest in the major leagues since 1949. He was named NL Player of the Month of August with a .459 batting average during this remarkable streak.^[1]

Post-Dodgers Career

Davis continued to excel after leaving the Dodgers. He won the Gold Glove award three consecutive times from 1971 through 1973, and was selected for his first National League All-Star team in 1971. Davis played for several teams, including the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, before spending two seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan.^[1]

Final Innings

In his last major league season, Davis played for the California Angels in 1979. Afterward, he played in the Mexican League in 1980, before retiring from professional baseball.^[1]

Legacy and Recognition

Despite his impressive career, Davis was notably excluded from the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, despite having the highest career WAR among all players who never appeared on a Hall of Fame ballot (excluding banned players).^[1]

Personal Life

Willie Davis Jr. married Jeanna LemYou in 1963^[3], and they had two daughters, Kimberly and Jennifer, before divorcing in 1975.^[4] He also had a son, Shonan Casey Davis, with his second wife, Amy Rumbelow. Davis's conversion to Buddhism through his marriage to Jeanna was a notable aspect of his personal life.^[1][5]

The Final Out

Willie Davis Jr. passed away on March 9, 2010, in Burbank, Los Angeles County, California.^[6] Although he was cremated instead of traditional burial, his legacy as one of Arkansas's greatest sports figures endures, as recognized by his place among the state's top athletes by Sports Illustrated. Willie Davis Jr. will forever be remembered as the "Speedster of Baseball", who left an indelible mark on the sport.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15} Wikipedia contributors, "Willie Davis (baseball)," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_Davis_(baseball)&oldid=1174935026 (accessed September 16, 2023).
2. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Blackland, Howard, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00142; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 31-2 Ancestry Record 2442 #100307081
3. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, 6 Sep 1963, Fri. - Page 25. "Dodgers' Willie Davis Married." Accessed 16 Sep 2023.
4. ↑ California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984: Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: State of California. California Divorce Index, 1966-1984. Microfiche. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. Ancestry Record 1141 #1269509
5. ↑ U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current: Publication Place: USA; URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Davis_(baseball) Ancestry Record 2190 #221393656
6. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #87062862

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q8021468