Tommy Davis. (1961 RC) $289

1961 Topps #168 – Rookie Card
Value: $289.00 – Grade: 10

Talking Hitting: https://youtu.be/Np6WNBFiBY0

Herman Thomas “Tommy” Davis, Jr. (Born in Brooklyn, NY on March 21, 1939-) won four professional batting titles grabbing his last two in back-to-back campaigns (1962 & 1963) as a Los Angeles Dodger, edging out Hall of Fame sluggers Frank Robinson and Roberto Clemente, respectively. He also won the 1957 Midwest and 1959 Pacific Coast League batting championships. The Brooklyn native signed with his hometown Dodgers in 1956 at the goading of Dodgers Hall of Fame second baseman Jackie Robinson, but he did not debut with the big club until the franchise relocated to Los Angeles. Davis was a superb hitter and an excellent fielder playing primarily left field and third base. In 1962, Davis led the National League in hits (230), RBI (153) and batting average (.346) to earn his first of back-to-back batting championships and All-Star appearances. His 230 hits are still the most by a right-hander Dodger batter and his 153 RBI remain a franchise record. Tommy’s .346 average edged Cincinnati Reds slugger Frank Robinson by 0.04 points in 1962 and his .326 topped Roberto Clemente’s .320 average the following season. Davis spent eight years in Dodger blue and helped lead them to the 1963 World Series championship over the New York Yankees. He suffered a broken ankle in 1965, limiting him to only 17 games, and he was unable to appear in the Fall Classic once more as the Dodgers won their second World Series in three years. Tommy played for the Dodgers (1959-1966), the New York Mets (1967), the Chicago White Sox (1968), the Seattle Pilots (1969), the Houston Astros (1969-1970), the Oakland Athletics (1970, 1971), the Chicago Cubs (191970, 1972), the Baltimore Orioles (1972-1975), the California Angels (1976) and the Kansas City Royals (1976). The three-time National League All-Star selection for left field posted a .970 fielding percentage. After playing his final ten years with ten teams, Tommy Davis decided to retire having amassing 272 doubles, 811 runs scored, 136 stolen bases and 1,052 RBI while bating .294 over the course of 18 seasons.

Published by 1jimburton

Been married to Karen for 51 years! Father to Garrett (40) and Sarah (47). Grandfather to Ava (18) and Lila (16). Have developed the following Wordpress blogs over the past three years: All-Time Greatest Music, High Quality Baseball Cards, High Quality Basketball Cards, High Quality Football Cards, High Quality Ice Hockey Cards and USA Traveling Tips. Written one book called A World with Heart. Also, after retiring from a career in Hospital Facilities management, I have been doing K-12 substitute teaching. Also, coached U13-U16 boys and girls basketball teams for over 25 years. Last, learned to be a master at hand-carving and painting signs. The largest of which is 4’ x 6’ is a logo for Marathon Motor Works hanging over their main entrance in Nashville (it took three months to complete).

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