Alvin Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alvin Davis |
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Davis in Seattle, Opening Day 2007
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| First baseman / Designated hitter | |||
| Born: September 9, 1960 Riverside, California, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: April 11, 1984, for the Seattle Mariners | |||
| NPB: July 10, 1992, for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: June 25, 1992, for the California Angels | |||
| NPB: September 15, 1992, for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .280 | ||
| Home runs | 160 | ||
| Runs batted in | 683 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .275 | ||
| Home runs | 5 | ||
| Runs batted in | 12 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Alvin Glenn Davis (born September 9, 1960) is a former American baseball player. He was a first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. Fans often called him "Mr. Mariner" because he played most of his career with the Seattle Mariners. In 1984, he won the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
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Alvin's Early Life and College Years
Alvin Davis grew up in Riverside, California. He was the youngest of four brothers. After finishing John W. North High School in 1978, he was picked by the San Francisco Giants in the baseball draft. However, Alvin chose to go to Arizona State University instead. He played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Later, in 1981, the Oakland Athletics drafted him. But Alvin decided to stay in college again. He wanted to finish his degree in finance. This shows he was dedicated to both baseball and his education.
Journey Through the Minor Leagues
After college, in 1982, the Seattle Mariners drafted Alvin Davis. He started playing in the minor leagues. These are professional baseball leagues below Major League Baseball. Players often start here to develop their skills.
Alvin played for the Lynn Sailors in 1982. He hit well, with 12 home runs. In 1983, he played for the Chattanooga Lookouts. He continued to show his talent, hitting 18 home runs.
By 1984, Alvin was playing in Triple-A for the Salt Lake City Gulls. This is the highest level in the minor leagues. After just one game there, he was called up to the Major Leagues. This happened because another player, Ken Phelps, got injured. Alvin never had to go back to the minor leagues after that!
Becoming a Major League Star
Alvin Davis played in Major League Baseball for nine years. He spent eight of those years with the Seattle Mariners.
Making a Big Splash with the Mariners
Alvin made his big league debut on April 11, 1984. He started strong, hitting a home run in his first two games! He also got on base in his first 47 games, which is a Major League Baseball record. This amazing start helped him get chosen for the All-Star Game as a rookie.
In his first year, Alvin was named the Mariners' Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also won the Rookie of the Year award for the American League. He hit 27 home runs and had 116 runs batted in (RBI) that season.
Alvin was very popular with Mariners fans. He held many of the team's hitting records for a long time. This was before other famous players like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, and Alex Rodriguez joined the team. His teammates also thought highly of him.
In 1987, Alvin hit a career-high 29 home runs. In 1989, he had one of his best seasons, hitting for a .305 batting average.
Changing Roles and Moving On
Later in his career, Alvin started playing more as a designated hitter. This means he would bat but not play a defensive position. By 1991, he played first base in only a few games.
After the 1991 season, the Mariners had a young player named Tino Martinez coming up. So, Alvin Davis signed with the California Angels in 1992. He played 40 games for them before being released in June.
After leaving the Angels, Alvin went to play baseball in Japan. He joined the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Osaka. He played 40 games there, hitting 5 home runs.
Life After Baseball
Alvin Davis lives in his hometown of Riverside, California, with his wife, Kim. They have three children.
He has spent many years volunteering at Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church. He helps with the church's finances and has been on its elder board for over 20 years. Alvin also coached baseball at Martin Luther King High School for ten years.
In 1997, Alvin Davis was honored by the Seattle Mariners. He was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame. This is a special award for players who have made a big impact on the team.
In 2012, Alvin returned to the Seattle Mariners organization. He became a minor league instructor. This means he helps teach young players in the Mariners' system. His niece, Candice LeRae, is a professional wrestler.
