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Davis reached a total of .284 for three clubs, including the Chicago Cubs, in 1970 before the Oakland A released him, leaving Davis bitterly. “No one is released after reaching .284; have you ever heard of that?” he asked at the time. And that same year his salary was cut in half from $80,000 when he was at the top with the Cubs.
But fate intervened when the American League adopted the established hitter rule in 1973, changing the pitcher in an innings. With the Orioles, their 10th team in 15 seasons, Davis has evolved as a full-time DH, hitting the league’s best average of .306 in that position. In 1974, he was once again the leading designated hitter, finishing with 181 strokes and .289 averages.
“The appointed hitter is taking care of this old man,” Davis told The Times. “It definitely helped me bring home the paychecks.”
When he failed the Yankees in 1976, he finished that season as DH for the Kansas City Royals. In October’s last game, the 1,999th of his career, he had two singles and finished with a lifetime average of .294 batting, 153 home runs, 1,052 RBI and 2,121 hits.
After retiring at age 36, Davis stayed close to baseball and worked in the Dodgers community relations department until he moved to Arizona a year or so ago.
He was survived by his second wife, Carol A. Davis; their four daughters, Morgana, Lauren, Carlyn and Leslie; a son, Herman; and several grandchildren.
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