Ron Davis (outfielder)
Encyclopedia
Ronald Everette Davis is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
outfielder who played in 1962 and from 1966 to 1969 for the Houston Colt .45s
/Houston Astros
, St. Louis Cardinals
and Pittsburgh Pirates
.
He was 6'0" tall and he weighed 180 pounds and before playing professional baseball he attended Duke University
.
Originally signed as an amateur free-agent by the Colt .45s in 1961, Davis made his big league debut on August 1, 1962 at the age of 20 against Eddie Mathews
, Hank Aaron and the rest of the Milwaukee Braves
. In his first big league game, he went 1-for-4. He played in a total of six games in his first big league season, collecting three hits in 14 at-bats for a .214 batting average.
He wouldn't play in the big leagues again until 1966, and he came back in fine fashion. In his first game back - on August 6, 1966, he went 3-for-5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. His early success eventually tapered off, as he finished the season with a .247 batting average.
1967 was the best year of Davis' career. He appeared in 94 games, collecting 73 hits inn 285 at-bats for a .256 batting average. He also hit seven home runs and drove in 38 RBI.
He started the 1968 season with the Astros, playing in 52 games for them, hitting .212. On June 15, he was traded to the Cardinals for Dick Simpson
and Hal Gilson
. In 33 games with St. Louis, he hit .177. Overall, he hit .203 in 1968.
He appeared in the playoffs with the Cardinals in 1968 - in two games, he collected no hits in seven at-bats.
Following the 1968 season, Davis was traded with minor leaguer Phil Knuckles, Danny Breeden
and Ed Spiezio
for Dave Giusti
of the San Diego Padres
. Then, just before the start of the 1969 season, he was traded with Bobby Klaus
to the Pirates for Tommie Sisk
and Chris Cannizzaro
.
He played his final season in 1969. In 62 games for the Cardinals, he collected 15 hits in 64 at-bats for a .234 batting average.
Overall, Davis played in 295 games in his five year career, collecting 199 hits in 853 at-bats for a .233 batting average. He scored 96 runs and drove 79 in. He hit 44 doubles, six triples and 10 home runs, and he stole nine bases in 18 attempts. He walked 56 times and struck out 160 times.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder who played in 1962 and from 1966 to 1969 for the Houston Colt .45s
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
/Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
He was 6'0" tall and he weighed 180 pounds and before playing professional baseball he attended Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
.
Originally signed as an amateur free-agent by the Colt .45s in 1961, Davis made his big league debut on August 1, 1962 at the age of 20 against Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
, Hank Aaron and the rest of the Milwaukee Braves
1962 Milwaukee Braves season
- Offseason :* October 10, 1961: Merritt Ranew was drafted from the Braves by the Houston Colt .45s in the 1961 MLB expansion draft.* November 8, 1961: Ellis Burton and Lou Jackson were acquired by the Braves from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a minor league working agreement.* November 28,...
. In his first big league game, he went 1-for-4. He played in a total of six games in his first big league season, collecting three hits in 14 at-bats for a .214 batting average.
He wouldn't play in the big leagues again until 1966, and he came back in fine fashion. In his first game back - on August 6, 1966, he went 3-for-5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. His early success eventually tapered off, as he finished the season with a .247 batting average.
1967 was the best year of Davis' career. He appeared in 94 games, collecting 73 hits inn 285 at-bats for a .256 batting average. He also hit seven home runs and drove in 38 RBI.
He started the 1968 season with the Astros, playing in 52 games for them, hitting .212. On June 15, he was traded to the Cardinals for Dick Simpson
Dick Simpson
Richard Charles Simpson is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder and center fielder. He played from 1962-1969 for the Los Angeles/California Angels, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Seattle Pilots. However, Simpson did not quite live up to...
and Hal Gilson
Hal Gilson
Harold "Hal" Gilson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros in 1968....
. In 33 games with St. Louis, he hit .177. Overall, he hit .203 in 1968.
He appeared in the playoffs with the Cardinals in 1968 - in two games, he collected no hits in seven at-bats.
Following the 1968 season, Davis was traded with minor leaguer Phil Knuckles, Danny Breeden
Danny Breeden
Danny Richard Breeden is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played in 1969 and 1971 for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs....
and Ed Spiezio
Ed Spiezio
Edward Wayne Spiezio is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the World Series-winning 1967 St. Louis Cardinals team. He also played for the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox....
for Dave Giusti
Dave Giusti
David John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977....
of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Then, just before the start of the 1969 season, he was traded with Bobby Klaus
Bobby Klaus
Robert Francis Klaus is a former right-handed Major League Baseball infielder who played from 1964 to 1965 for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets. He is the brother of the late MLB infielder Billy Klaus....
to the Pirates for Tommie Sisk
Tommie Sisk
Tommie Wayne Sisk is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1970 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox....
and Chris Cannizzaro
Chris Cannizzaro
Christopher John "Chris" Cannizzaro was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Mets , Pittsburgh Pirates , San Diego Padres , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
He played his final season in 1969. In 62 games for the Cardinals, he collected 15 hits in 64 at-bats for a .234 batting average.
Overall, Davis played in 295 games in his five year career, collecting 199 hits in 853 at-bats for a .233 batting average. He scored 96 runs and drove 79 in. He hit 44 doubles, six triples and 10 home runs, and he stole nine bases in 18 attempts. He walked 56 times and struck out 160 times.