Willie Davis slides into heaven
The 3 Dog holds so many Los Angeles Dodger records:
Individual:
Triples (16) , Longest hitting streak (31)
Career:
At Bats (7,495), Runs (1,004), Hits (2,091), Triples (116), Total Bases (3,094), XBH (585), PA (8,035)
From 1960 - 1973 Willie Davis put together one hell of a career. He was considered a chronic underachiever, and for most Dodger fans in the 1960's will be forever remembered as the center fielder who made three errors in a row
The Orioles were the first to break through with three unearned runs in a terrible inning for the Dodgers' Willie Davis. First, the centerfielder dropped consecutive fly balls (after losing both in the sun). Then he threw a wild ball past third base after the second drop.
in game two of the 1966 World Series, but he was much more than that.
As the numbers above show he was Mr. Los Angeles Dodger, a constant in Chavez Ravine as his team changed about him over and over. He saw the highs of the great teams from 62-66, then stuck around to see the wretched teams of 67, 68, followed by the slow youth movement that was capped just after he was finally traded to the Expo's for the final piece of the puzzle in Iron Man Mike Marshal.
Through it all Willie Davis did his thing never quite reaching stardom but certainly putting his stamp on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Willie was one of those ballplayers who did things easily so lazy got pinned to him. There was no kinetic energy to Willie, he simply flowed through a baseball game. I've always found that the more graceful the player the easier it is to pin a tag that they are lazy or don't care, when truth is, things just come easy to them.
The first time I saw Willie Davis, Mr. Ed was giving him hitting advice, the next time I saw him was at the Ravine in 1970. He quickly became one of my favorite and most exasperating Dodgers. At times he could do it all, other times average was all we got. His speed allowed him to patrol CF well enough to win three straight six gold gloves between 1971 - 1973. He hit well enough to become the only LA Dodger to eclipse 2,000 hits.
Mister Ed and the Dodgers (via georgecf)
I was lucky enough to see Willie Davis play, more importantly I was able to see WIllie Davis run. Boy could the 3-Dog run. Who needs home runs when the 3-Dog is sliding into 3rd comfortably a head of the throw.
In 2006 he was honored by his high school alma mater Roosevelt High. In the video Willie explains exactly the roots of his 3-Dog nickname. Lot of great photo's in this video from his high school track star days and his Dodger baseball cards. Also some nice video of Willie playing Dodger baseball. This is a cool video I really recommend you take a look at it.
Willie Davis - Alumni Roosevelt HS Hall of Fame (via calteknet)
Willie Davis just a few months ago:
Willie Davis Legendary Baseball Player and Golfing - WTF Golf Episode 14 (via wtfgolf)
Run Willie Run
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I was obviously not able to see Willie
But he sounded like one hell of a player. Extremley exciting and someone who could spark the crowd.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t he at the Koufax torre thing?
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 9, 2010 6:06 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I did not see him on TV
I saw Tommie Davis and Lou Johnson. Tommy and Willie were 2/3 of the young 1960’s outfield.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’m pretty sure Willie wasn’t there
by Eric Stephen on Mar 9, 2010 6:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
for some reason
I thought he was sitting next to Lou, but I must be thinking of someone else.
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Mar 10, 2010 7:33 AM PST up reply actions
Koufax/Torre thing
I saw Lou Johnson and Tommy Davis also out fielders on the 1965 team were present at the Koufax Torre event. I did not see Willie.
Fantastic write up
Love the cloud of dust on the slide into second – classic.
When I was elelven or twelve years old (‘63-’64) my buddy’s dad was a member at the then Los Coyotes GC in Buena Park. They had a tourney event to honor and entertain the Dodgers. I can still hear my freind’s father describing how he witnessed Willie hitting out of a fairway bunker and making his shot work with a 3 wood.
Golf Blasphemy according to him, but it worked.
Soon thereafter I tried the trick, and broke the clubhead off the shaft.
My buddy laughed and laughed. I wasn’t laughing that day, but I am now.
Haven’t thought of that day for quite a while. Willie D – against the grain.
Phil: great post.
I, like you, had the honor of seeing Willie Davis live a couple of times and on TV quite a bit. I was young but he made an impression. I remember him as having the longest legs of any baseball player I ever saw. He ran; no, he glided; around centerfield and the bases like noone I can recall. I was bred a Dodger fan and growing up I remember two truly great center fielders: Willie Mays (a Giant, but man what a player) and Willie Davis. Mays was clearly in a class by himself, but for a young, impressionable Dodger fan who somehow understood the importance of center field at a young age, Davis was a man.
I remember a phot from either a scorecard or a yearbook that had Willie and the band 3 Dog Night. Back then the Dodgers, and not the Lakers, truly owned the Hollywood/entertainment scene.
Godspeed, #3!
The Roosevelt High video was amazing. A must watch.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 9, 2010 10:58 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I didn’t know that Willie Davis set a prep record long jumping. A 25 foot long jump for a high schooler is pretty tremendous. My memories of Davis are pretty fuzzy, as I was only 12 when he last played as a Dodger. Back in those days, there weren’t that many television games – Sunday road games and SF road games IIRC – so most of what I knew about Willie was from reading the papers and the backs of baseball cards. I do remember the coverage of his 31-game hitting streak though, which really captured people’s attention. Hats off to the 3 Dog.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
As A Kid
I seem to remember Willie also having a streak of getting on base in consecutive PAs over several games, but don’t see mention of it now. It seemed like some sort of record at the time, at least a Dodger record.
The Roosevelt HS video is great. I like the part about the Duke.
Nomar retiring today
7:30am press conference. He’s signing a 1-day deal with the Red Sox.
by Eric Stephen on Mar 10, 2010 6:20 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Kuo, who we knew was pitching Sunday, is starting Sunday in Taiwan
by Eric Stephen on Mar 10, 2010 7:13 AM PST via mobile reply actions
D-Backs
not just Abreu, but Abreu at SS!
Abreu SS
Parra CF
C. Jackson LF
Reynolds 3B
Montero C
Snyder DH
Macias RF
Ryal 1B
Ojeda 2B
Haren RHP




















