Virgil Lawrence Davis batted .300 in 9 of his 16 seasons. In 1933 his .349 average
was second in the NL to future Hall of Famer
Chuck Klein's .368. Davis led NL catchers
in assists in 1931, double plays in 1932, and total chances per game in 1934, years
in which rival catchers included future Cooperstown enshrinees
Gabby Hartnett and
Al Lopez. Davis later backed up
Ernie Lombardi at Cincinnati, and Lopez at Pittsburgh.
As
a member of the 1935 Cardinals, Davis feuded with Dizzy Dean. Dean accused him of
not hustling after a foul during a loss to Cincinnati, and insisted on a different
catcher the next time out. Teammates sided
with Davis, but manager Frankie Frisch
complied with Dean's demand. Davis managed the Pirates briefly in 1946.
(TJ)
Spud Davis
