Piper Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piper Davis |
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| First baseman/Second baseman/Shortstop | |||
| Born: July 3, 1917 Piper, Alabama |
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| Died: May 21, 1997 (aged 79) Birmingham, Alabama |
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| debut | |||
| Birmingham Black Barons 1942 |
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| Last appearance | |||
| Birmingham Black Barons 1950 |
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| Career statistics | |||
| Batting average | .309 | ||
| Hits | 159 | ||
| Managerial record | 51–27–1 | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Lorenzo "Piper" Davis (born July 3, 1917 – died May 21, 1997) was a talented American baseball player. He played in the Negro American League from 1942 to 1950. Piper was a star for the Birmingham Black Barons. His nickname "Piper" came from the mining town where he grew up.
Piper Davis's Baseball Career
Piper Davis was more than just a player; he was also a manager. He managed the Black Barons in the late 1940s. In 1948, his team played in the very last Negro World Series. They played against the Homestead Grays but lost.
Davis almost joined a major league team several times. In 1947, the St. Louis Browns had a chance to sign him. However, they did not complete the deal. Later, in 1949, the New York Giants tried to buy his contract. But the owner of the Birmingham team, Tom Hayes, stopped the deal. He felt Piper was too important to his team.
The Boston Red Sox later signed Davis. He was the first black player they ever signed. However, he never got to play for their main team.
Piper's Influence on Willie Mays
Piper Davis played a big role in the career of baseball legend Willie Mays. Willie Mays first met Piper when Piper was playing on a team with Willie's father. Piper was the manager of the Barons when he first saw Willie. Willie was only in tenth grade at the time.
Piper encouraged Willie to practice hitting the curveball. He coached Willie for a few years. In 1947, when Willie was just 16, Piper gave him a chance to play for the Barons. Willie Mays later said that Piper taught him two very important baseball lessons.
- Piper told Willie to run towards balls hit into the infield. This helped Willie get into a better position. It also helped stop runners from moving to the next base.
- To help Willie hit curveballs, Piper told him to stand straighter. He also told Willie to face the pitcher more when he was batting.
Willie's high school principal was worried about Willie playing professionally. But Piper promised that playing baseball would not hurt Willie's schoolwork. He would not let Willie travel with the team during the school year. Since Willie was so young, Piper also made sure another player looked after him on road trips. Willie Mays remembered Piper as "a warm man, fatherly, and all the players respected him."
