O/T: Willie Davis dead

[ethicsprof]

a great loss.
i loved watching him play and loved his baseball cards.

my deepest sympathy to family, friends, and fans

barry

[Kenny Cole]

Had he played in a different era he would have had HOF credentials, at least according to Bill James. I grew up watching him too and I think Bill James is right. RIP.

[edhans]

My favorite player as a kid. Rest in peace, Willie.

[Ladder7]

Hoping Willie's family can be strong.

ps; Fuddjcal, Please don't ever sell my signature.

[Rob D.]

My favorite piece of non-Indians memorabilia is a (cracked) bat that Willie used in the 1965 World Series.

The then-husband of a family friend was a photographer for one of the Pittsburgh papers, and he shot just about every World Series during the 1950s and '60s. His wife (our friend) ran film for him during the games. During one of the games in the '65 Series, she was waiting for her husband to finish a roll and Willie was at bat. He popped up, cracking his bat, and in disgust flung his bat. Apparently with extra gusto, because it rolled all the way over to where our friend was standing. She simply picked it up and placed it behind her. No one noticed, and she kept it for many years until giving it to me when I was in middle school back in the late 1970s.

Even though the bat doesn't have any of the World Series markings, the provenance is priceless to me.

[lharri3600]

my heart goes out to the davis family. what i remember about willie is this,
boy could that guy run!!

[Rich Klein]

My first thought was of the FB HOFer Willie Davis, who became big as the proverbial house upon completion of his career. I never thought the BB player would go first

[bigtrain]

My first World Series game. Game 2 1963. Top of the first. Wills singled and stole second. Gilliam singled. Willie Davis doubled scoring them both. The only two runs the Dodgers needed. Podres was sharp. Dodgers won 4-1. A sad day for a kid who was a Yankee fan but great memories. Thanks, Willie.

[onlychild]

I have always thought that the 1962 Bell Brand card of Davis is one best card pics ever...right up there with the 53 Reese IMHO.

Kevin Saucier

[teetwoohsix]

RIP Willie

[base_ball]

One of my favorite opposing players to watch ever. When I was a really little boy, I naively thought two things: 1. He and Tommy Davis were brothers. And 2. All great centerfielders were named "Willie". If he'd had some plate discipline he would've been a great hitter. Still, he was a very good hitter: not too many get 2500 hits. Then there was that short comeback after a few years away from the game. I love guys that do that.