Checking in with Tommy Davis, still the L.A. Dodgers' only batting champion

He seemed a lonely island of offense, surrounded mostly by singles-hitters and speedsters.

Tommy Davis was a phenomenon on those great early-’60s Dodgers teams, a hitting machine who seemed almost out of place in an offense spurred by speedsters Maury Wills and Willie Davis.

"We manufactured runs, and with the pitching we had, the formula was OK,’’ Davis said.

The legendary pitching, of course, included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres and Claude Osteen.

And although massive Frank Howard could provide some much needed pop, it was Davis who was the consistent offensive threat. His 1962 season remains one of the greatest in Dodgers history -- a .346 batting average, a team-record 153 RBIs , 230 hits and 27 home runs.

"It didn’t come totally together,’’ Davis said. ``We didn’t win.’’

That 1962 batting average won him the first of consecutive National League batting crowns, the only two in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

Davis, 70, now lives in Alta Loma with his wife, Carol. The father of three girls and one son, he continues to work with the Dodgers’ speakers bureau. He also makes visits to the team’s lower minor leagues for hitting instruction, as well as continuing to provide private hitting lessons. He also owns a small marketing company that manufactures T-shirts and hats.

Davis was born in Brooklyn, but didn't make it to the majors until the team moved to Los Angeles. And that might not have happened but for a late phone call.

"I was getting ready to sign with the Yankees because they had shown more interest," he said. "But then I got a call from Jackie Robinson."

Davis became a central part of those early Dodgers teams that developed Los Angeles’ love affair with the team, a time often referred to as the Dodgers' golden era.

After his rookie season in 1961 came his record-setting 1962 season.

"Maury had his banner year and was MVP," he said. "[Jim] Gilliam did his job, and I think should be in the Hall of Fame. Willie Davis was hitting in front of me, batting third. We had a lot of speed in front of me. And then big Frank Howard hitting behind me. So the formula was there for me to be successful. I got a lot of good pitches to hit.

"We were very disappointed [we lost a playoff series to the Giants], but we redeemed ourselves the next year when we got to the World Series, played the Yankees and beat ’em four in a row."

Davis, however, was not an integral part of the Dodgers’ 1965 World Series championship. He broke his ankle early in the season and was lost for the remainder of the year.

"Lou Johnson took my place and became the hero of the World Series," Davis said. "I can’t be bitter about it. I broke an ankle. To this day, he’s still working with the Dodgers. But what the heck, maybe that wasn’t supposed to be."

Johnson hit two home runs in the Dodgers' seven-game World Series win over the Twins. He is currently the team’s community affairs liaison.

Davis is so associated with the team’s early success in Los Angeles, most fans probably don’t realize he spent only seven of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers.

After the Dodgers were swept in the 1966 World Series by the Orioles, Davis was traded to the Mets for Ron Hunt. It was the first of 11 stops he would make during the next 10 years. To his dismay, five times he was released.

"Strange career," he said. "`I don’t want to get into now or I’ll get [ticked] off.’’

He enjoyed success along the way -- he hit .302 for the Mets in ’67, hit .306 with 89 RBI for the Orioles in ’74 and batted .320 lifetime as a pinch-hitter -- but his fame will always be attached to his time with the Dodgers.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Photo: Tommy Davis with the Dodgers in 1963. Credit: UPI

Comments

[Happy Camper]

Great numbers Tommy put up!

Thanks for bringing him back for an appreciation.

[Owen]

I'm enjoying the blog so far Steve, keep up the good work : )

[bob cuomo]

Outstanding post. This is exactly the kind of where-are-they-now features we want to see (I do, anyway). That's a terrific bit of trivia too--that Jackie Robinson called him and helped him decide to sign with the Dodgers. I remember watching Tommy Davis play...yes, he's one of the greatest Dodgers ever.

[sam frantz]

Sweet Lou was terrific, but it was the twins he hit two home runs off. one in game seven to win for Sandy and the Dodgers. He greets me at every game I attend down on the Loge level. Thanks for the memories about Tommy D.

[oldbrooklynfan]

Tommy will always be remembered as one of the Dodgers greatest hitters.

[Strike4]

One of his stops was with the Seattle Pilots in 1969, where he became a guest star in Jim Bouton's Ball Four. So the moves weren't all bad.

[scooplew]

Steve: Excellent update. I have had the pleasure of spending time with Tommy Davis at the Dodger Fantasy Camp in Vero Beach. He is a delightful person -- warm, friendly and reflective. One small error in the story. His rookie season was 1960, not 1961. He also had one at bat in 1959.

[Airedale]

Steve, Thanks for the update on one of my childhood heroes. The 1962 season was amazing...except for the ending. Tommy D truly had one of the outstanding years by any Dodger in history.
I, too, had the honor of hanging around with him at Dodgertown several years ago. He is a very humble, sincere individual...all around nice guy.

[Grandpa]

Tommy Davis was a terrific hitter. I remember his 1962 season. He is underappreciated as a Dodgers legend.

[whamo]

Tommy Davis (and Willie), thanks for signing my copy of your book; I really enjoyed reading it. That Topps baseball card of you in 1962 was classic. There have been some great Dodger hitters: Pedro, Manny, Garvey, and, of course, you!

[Dan Alexander]

Thanks for the piece on Tommy Davis. He was my hero growing up in Arcadia. My brother was a Gilliam man, so we both had special guys to look up to. Even after '62, with all the stars the Dodgers had, it felt as though Tommy didn't get the recognition he deserved. But, my gosh, 153 rbi, and 230 hits. Staggering numbers. Think of the seasons the Dodgers didn't have even one 100 rbi guy. And, on a light hitting squad, no less. We old heads remember the drill, Wills scrounge a hit or walk, Gilliam take pitches or ground to the right side to get him to 2nd or third, Willie taking a crack at driving Wills home, and then Tommy regularly doing it. We won a lot of 2-1 games back then, And Tommy Davis was a big part of it all. I hope you younger fans take note, he was something special