AL BATTING LEADERS--1966
Part I
Having already captured his first batting crown in 1963, Carl Yastrzemski was
looking for another batting crown as he was fighting off the pesky flea Vic Davalillo
the first half of the summer for the 1965 title. The small fly catcher with Cleveland
started hot and held his own, hitting .350 or better the first three months of the ’65
season. Along the way, Yastrzemski gradually saw his average climb from .292 on
May 30 to .342 on June 28. Little did he know that Tony Oliva and his .268
average were beginning to thaw out in Minnesota.
As the 5’7” Davalillo began to fade as the Midsummer Classic approached,
Yastrzemski maintained a steady course. Oliva had other plans though, as the
lefty swinging Cuban went on a tear to see his average climb from .287 at the All-
Star Break to his final league leading .321 average at the end of the season, as
Yastrzemski finished with a
.312 mark and Davalillo at .301 norm.
While Yaz was looking up at the diminutive Davalillo for most of the 1965 batting
race, he really should have been focusing on sly Tony Oliva, who snuck up on the
two of them to take batting honors.
Editor's Note: The true question begs, what is Yastrzemski looking at ???
(4/29/09)
Part II
With a low mound and a plethora of hard throwers in the big leagues, hitting was a
tough proposition in the 1960s. However, rising just five-feet, seven-inches from
the dirt of the batter’s box; Vic Davalillo managed to be one of just three American
League hitters to top the .300 mark in 1965.
A singles hitter who handling center field duties for the Indians, Davalillo enjoyed
an outstanding year in ’65 as he gathered the only All-Star honors of his career
with his .301 average.
The diminutive lefty swinger finished a 16-year big league career with a .279
average and the reputation for being a tough out (averaging just one strikeout
every 10 plate appearances) and a strong pinch-hitter. He would also claim a Gold
Glove in 1964, despite having to cover the expansive gaps of Cleveland’s
Municipal Stadium.
When most thought his career was over after hitting just .174 with Oakland in 1974
at age 37; Davalillo would resurrect his career after three seasons in the Mexican
League to join the Dodgers for four seasons that saw Los Angeles reach the
World Series twice (1977 & '78). Davalillo would be honored in 2003 with his
induction to the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame.
Notwithstanding, what I am most intrigued by is that Vic had an older brother who
went by the name Yo-Yo.
Editor’s Note: Pompeyo “Yo-Yo” Davalillo was a shortstop for the Washington
Senators for 19 games in 1953, batting .293 with one double in his only big
league action. Sadly, he never appeared on either a Topps or Bowman card.
(1/4/09)
Having already captured his first batting crown in 1963, Carl Yastrzemski was
looking for another batting crown as he was fighting off the pesky flea Vic Davalillo
the first half of the summer for the 1965 title. The small fly catcher with Cleveland
started hot and held his own, hitting .350 or better the first three months of the ’65
season. Along the way, Yastrzemski gradually saw his average climb from .292 on
May 30 to .342 on June 28. Little did he know that Tony Oliva and his .268
average were beginning to thaw out in Minnesota.
As the 5’7” Davalillo began to fade as the Midsummer Classic approached,
Yastrzemski maintained a steady course. Oliva had other plans though, as the
lefty swinging Cuban went on a tear to see his average climb from .287 at the All-
Star Break to his final league leading .321 average at the end of the season, as
Yastrzemski finished with a
.312 mark and Davalillo at .301 norm.
While Yaz was looking up at the diminutive Davalillo for most of the 1965 batting
race, he really should have been focusing on sly Tony Oliva, who snuck up on the
two of them to take batting honors.
Editor's Note: The true question begs, what is Yastrzemski looking at ???
(4/29/09)
Part II
With a low mound and a plethora of hard throwers in the big leagues, hitting was a
tough proposition in the 1960s. However, rising just five-feet, seven-inches from
the dirt of the batter’s box; Vic Davalillo managed to be one of just three American
League hitters to top the .300 mark in 1965.
A singles hitter who handling center field duties for the Indians, Davalillo enjoyed
an outstanding year in ’65 as he gathered the only All-Star honors of his career
with his .301 average.
The diminutive lefty swinger finished a 16-year big league career with a .279
average and the reputation for being a tough out (averaging just one strikeout
every 10 plate appearances) and a strong pinch-hitter. He would also claim a Gold
Glove in 1964, despite having to cover the expansive gaps of Cleveland’s
Municipal Stadium.
When most thought his career was over after hitting just .174 with Oakland in 1974
at age 37; Davalillo would resurrect his career after three seasons in the Mexican
League to join the Dodgers for four seasons that saw Los Angeles reach the
World Series twice (1977 & '78). Davalillo would be honored in 2003 with his
induction to the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame.
Notwithstanding, what I am most intrigued by is that Vic had an older brother who
went by the name Yo-Yo.
Editor’s Note: Pompeyo “Yo-Yo” Davalillo was a shortstop for the Washington
Senators for 19 games in 1953, batting .293 with one double in his only big
league action. Sadly, he never appeared on either a Topps or Bowman card.
(1/4/09)
