Spud Davis
Encyclopedia
Virgil Lawrence "Spud" Davis (December 20, 1904 - August 14, 1984) was an American
professional
baseball
player, coach
, scout and manager
. He played in Major League Baseball
as a catcher
for the St. Louis Cardinals
, Philadelphia Phillies
, Cincinnati Reds
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
. Davis ranks fourth all-time among career batting average
s for catchers.
, Davis began his professional baseball career in at the age of 21, playing for the Gulfport Tarpons of the Cotton States League
. After posting a .356 batting average in 27 games for Gulfport, he was sent to play for the Reading Keystones of the International League
where he hit for a .308 average in 137 games during the season.
Davis made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, 1928
however, after only two games, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He began as a second string catcher with the Phillies behind Walt Lerian
but, by the end of the 1929
season, he had taken over as the starting catcher with a .342 batting average along with 7 home run
s and 48 runs batted in. That season would mark the first of seven consecutive seasons with batting averages above the .300 mark. In 1933
, he finished second to team-mate Chuck Klein
in the National League
Batting Championship with a .349 average. His .395 on base percentage
was also the second highest in the league. Davis ended the season ranked 25th in the National League Most Valuable Player Award voting, despite the fact that the Phillies finished in seventh place.
In November 1933, Davis was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals for catcher Jimmie Wilson
. He platooned
alongside left handed hitting catcher Bill DeLancey
, posting a .300 batting average in 107 games on a Cardinals team that became known as the Gashouse Gang
for their colorful, extroverted personalities. The Cardinals won the 1934
National League pennant
and, went on to defeat the Detroit Tigers
in the 1934 World Series
. In his only post-season appearance Davis played in two games in the seven-game series, with two hits
in two at bats.
Davis had another good season in 1935
with a .317 batting average, 60 runs batted in and led National League catchers in fielding percentage
however, the Cardinals slipped to second place in the standings. In 1936
, his batting average dipped to .273 and in December of that year, he would be traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Davis served as a reserve catcher in 1937
, working behind future Hall of Fame member Ernie Lombardi
. In June 1938
, he was traded back to the Philadelphia Phillies. Davis rebounded in 1939
, posting a .307 batting average in 87 games. He was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates in October 1939 and continued to hit well in 1940
with a .326 batting average in 99 games. By 1941
, Al Lopez
, another future Hall of Fame member, had taken over the Pirates starting catcher's role and, in 1942
, Davis took a role as a coach for the Pirates. Due to player shortages during the Second World War, Davis returned to the playing field in 1944
, appearing in 54 games for the Pirates and posting a .301 batting average at the age of 39. He appeared in 23 games in 1945
before retiring as a major league player at the age of 40.
He continued as a coach and a scout for the Pirates and, briefly managed the team when manager
Frankie Frisch
resigned in September of 1946
. After playing with the minor league Alexander City Millers
in and , he returned to work as a coach with the Chicago Cubs from 1950
to 1953
before retiring from baseball.
, accumulating 1,312 hits
in 4,255 at bats for a .308 career batting average along with 77 home runs, 647 runs batted in and a .369 on base percentage. He ended his career with a .984 fielding percentage. Davis hit over .300 ten times in sixteen years. At the time of his retirement, Davis' .308 career batting average was second only to Mickey Cochrane
all-time among major league catchers. As of , he ranks fourth all-time among career batting averages for catchers behind Joe Mauer
, Mickey Cochrane and Bill Dickey
.
Davis led National League catchers twice in fielding percentage, once in assists
and once in baserunners caught stealing
. During his playing days, he was twice traded for the same player, fellow catcher Jimmie Wilson. These trades happened between the Phillies and Cardinals five years apart in 1928 and 1933. In 1977, Davis was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
.
Davis died in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 79, and is buried there.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player, coach
Coach (baseball)
In baseball, a number of coaches assist in the smooth functioning of a team. They are assistants to the manager, or head coach, who determines the lineup and decides how to substitute players during the game...
, scout and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He played in Major League Baseball
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...
as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the 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...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, 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...
. Davis ranks fourth all-time among career batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
s for catchers.
Baseball career
Born in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Davis began his professional baseball career in at the age of 21, playing for the Gulfport Tarpons of the Cotton States League
Cotton States League
The Cotton States League name was used five different times in baseball history. The first Cotton States League ran from 1902 through 1908 as a class D league. After the league shut down, another Cotton States League was reformulated in 1910, with three of the six '08 members returning for the new...
. After posting a .356 batting average in 27 games for Gulfport, he was sent to play for the Reading Keystones of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
where he hit for a .308 average in 137 games during the season.
Davis made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on April 30, 1928
1928 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League with a record of 43 wins and 109 losses.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
however, after only two games, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. He began as a second string catcher with the Phillies behind Walt Lerian
Walt Lerian
Walter "Peck" Irvin Lerian was an American professional baseball player who played two seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies from through ....
but, by the end of the 1929
1929 Philadelphia Phillies season
- Offseason :* December 13, 1928: Heinie Sand and $10,000 were traded by the Phillies to the St. Louis Cardinals for Tommy Thevenow.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
season, he had taken over as the starting catcher with a .342 batting average along with 7 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 48 runs batted in. That season would mark the first of seven consecutive seasons with batting averages above the .300 mark. In 1933
1933 Philadelphia Phillies season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, he finished second to team-mate Chuck Klein
Chuck Klein
Charles Herbert "Chuck" Klein was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates ....
in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Batting Championship with a .349 average. His .395 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
was also the second highest in the league. Davis ended the season ranked 25th in the National League Most Valuable Player Award voting, despite the fact that the Phillies finished in seventh place.
In November 1933, Davis was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals for catcher Jimmie Wilson
Jimmie Wilson
James Wilson , nicknamed "Ace," was an American professional athlete in soccer and baseball.He began his professional sports career as a soccer outside right in the National Association Football League and American Soccer League before becoming a catcher, manager and coach in Major League Baseball...
. He platooned
Platoon system
The platoon system in baseball is a method of designating two players to a single defensive position—usually one right-handed and one left-handed. Typically the right-handed half of the platoon is played on days when the opposing pitcher is left-handed and the left-handed player is played otherwise...
alongside left handed hitting catcher Bill DeLancey
Bill DeLancey
William Pinkney DeLancey , was a Major League Baseball catcher. He played four seasons in the majors between and for the St. Louis Cardinals.-External links:...
, posting a .300 batting average in 107 games on a Cardinals team that became known as the Gashouse Gang
Gashouse Gang
The Gashouse Gang was a nickname applied to the St. Louis Cardinals Major League Baseball team of .The Cardinals, by most accounts, earned this nickname from the team's generally very shabby appearance and rough-and-tumble tactics...
for their colorful, extroverted personalities. The Cardinals won the 1934
1934 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 53rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 43rd season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95-58 during the season and finished first in the National League...
National League pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
and, went on to defeat the Detroit Tigers
1934 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The season was the team's 34th since entering the American League in . The Tigers won the American League pennant with a record of 101-53, the best winning percentage in team history. The team made its fourth World Series appearance, but...
in the 1934 World Series
1934 World Series
The 1934 World Series matched the St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Cardinals' "Gashouse Gang" winning in seven games for their third championship in nine years....
. In his only post-season appearance Davis played in two games in the seven-game series, with two hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in two at bats.
Davis had another good season in 1935
1935 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 54th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 44th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League.- Offseason :...
with a .317 batting average, 60 runs batted in and led National League catchers in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
however, the Cardinals slipped to second place in the standings. In 1936
1936 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 55th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 45th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 87-67 during the season and finished 2nd in the National League.- Notable transactions :...
, his batting average dipped to .273 and in December of that year, he would be traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Davis served as a reserve catcher in 1937
1937 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth and last in the National League with a record of 56-98, 40 games behind the New York Giants.- Offseason :...
, working behind future Hall of Fame member Ernie Lombardi
Ernie Lombardi
Ernesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi , was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants during a Hall of Fame career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 to 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci",...
. In June 1938
1938 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in eighth place -- last in an eight-team National League -- with a record of 45-105, 43 games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs and 24.5 games behind the seventh-place Brooklyn Dodgers...
, he was traded back to the Philadelphia Phillies. Davis rebounded in 1939
1939 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Phillies finished eighth in the National League with a record of 45 wins and 106 losses.- Offseason :...
, posting a .307 batting average in 87 games. He was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates in October 1939 and continued to hit well in 1940
1940 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1940 season: Billy Cox was signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played;...
with a .326 batting average in 99 games. By 1941
1941 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League with a record of 81-73, 19 games behind the first-place Brooklyn Dodgers.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Al Lopez
Al Lopez
Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977....
, another future Hall of Fame member, had taken over the Pirates starting catcher's role and, in 1942
1942 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* December 1, 1941: Hank Gornicki was selected off waivers by the Pirates from the St. Louis Cardinals.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
, Davis took a role as a coach for the Pirates. Due to player shortages during the Second World War, Davis returned to the playing field in 1944
1944 Pittsburgh Pirates season
-All-Star Game:The Pirates hosted the 1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 11, 1944 at Forbes Field. Pitcher Rip Sewell, infielder Bob Elliott, and outfielder Vince DiMaggio were selected for the National League squad...
, appearing in 54 games for the Pirates and posting a .301 batting average at the age of 39. He appeared in 23 games in 1945
1945 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1945 season: Tod Davis was acquired by the Pirates from the Hollywood Stars as part of a minor league working agreement.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
before retiring as a major league player at the age of 40.
He continued as a coach and a scout for the Pirates and, briefly managed the team when manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Frankie Frisch
Frankie Frisch
Francis “Frankie” Frisch , nicknamed the "Fordham Flash" or "The Old Flash", was a German American Major League Baseball player of the early twentieth century....
resigned in September of 1946
1946 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Notable transactions :* June 17, 1946: Frank Colman was purchased from the Pirates by the New York Yankees.* September 25, 1946: The Pirates traded $35,000 to the Oakland Oaks for Wally Westlake. The Pirates completed the deal by sending Johnny Hutchings to the Oaks on December 5.- Roster :-...
. After playing with the minor league Alexander City Millers
Alexander City Millers
The Alexander City Millers were an American minor league baseball team in Alexander City, AL between 1947 and 1951. They played in the Georgia-Alabama League in the Benjamin C. Russell Field.-Year-by-year record:...
in and , he returned to work as a coach with the Chicago Cubs from 1950
1950 Chicago Cubs season
- Offseason :* October 29, 1949: Jim Fanning was signed as an amateur free agent by the Chicago Cubs.- Notable transactions :* April 1, 1950: Gene Baker was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cubs....
to 1953
1953 Chicago Cubs season
- Notable transactions :* June 4, 1953: Toby Atwell, Bob Schultz, Preston Ward, George Freese, Bob Addis, Gene Hermanski, and $150,000 were traded by the Cubs to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ralph Kiner, Joe Garagiola, Catfish Metkovich, and Howie Pollet....
before retiring from baseball.
Career statistics
In a 16 year career, Davis played in 1,458 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
, accumulating 1,312 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 4,255 at bats for a .308 career batting average along with 77 home runs, 647 runs batted in and a .369 on base percentage. He ended his career with a .984 fielding percentage. Davis hit over .300 ten times in sixteen years. At the time of his retirement, Davis' .308 career batting average was second only to Mickey Cochrane
Mickey Cochrane
Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
all-time among major league catchers. As of , he ranks fourth all-time among career batting averages for catchers behind Joe Mauer
Joe Mauer
Joseph Patrick Mauer is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins. He is the only catcher in Major League history to win three batting titles...
, Mickey Cochrane and Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
.
Davis led National League catchers twice in fielding percentage, once in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
and once in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
. During his playing days, he was twice traded for the same player, fellow catcher Jimmie Wilson. These trades happened between the Phillies and Cardinals five years apart in 1928 and 1933. In 1977, Davis was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is a state museum located in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to communicating the state’s athletic history...
.
Davis died in Birmingham, Alabama, at age 79, and is buried there.