Longtime major league outfielder Vic Davalillo has passed away at the age of 84, according to a Spanish-language report from El Extrabase.
A native of Venezuela, Davalillo began his pro baseball career in 1958. He signed with the Reds as a relief pitcher. After two and a half minor league seasons, he was traded to the Indians for cash. By the 1962 season, Cleveland had converted him to almost full-time outfield work. Davalillo spent that year in Triple-A before debuting in the big leagues the following season.
Listed at 5’7″ and 150 pounds, Davalillo was a high-contact hitter with a strong defensive reputation. He won a Gold Glove in his first full season in 1964. He was an All-Star selection the following year, receiving down-ballot MVP votes after hitting .301/.344/.372 and stealing 26 bases. The left-hander’s offensive numbers varied over the next few years, although he continued to play regularly in Cleveland for a while.
During the 1968 campaign, the Indians dealt Davalillo to the Angels for former All-Star Jimmie Hall. He swiped 25 bases while combining for a .277/.301/.355 batting line between the two clubs. That was the final year in which he reached 500 plate appearances, but he carved out an extended run thereafter as a depth outfielder.
Davalillo played in the big leagues through 1980. He had multi-year stints with the Cardinals, Pirates, A’s and Dodgers over that stretch. Davalillo was part of pennant-winning rosters with the latter three of those organizations. He was part of the 1971 Pittsburgh team and ’73 Oakland clubs that won the World Series.
Over a major league career that spanned parts of 16 seasons, he hit .279/.315/.364. Davalillo picked up 36 homers, surpassed 1100 hits and swiped 125 bases. He was a Gold Glove winner, All-Star, and two-time champion. MLBTR sends our condolences to Davalillo’s family, friends and loved ones.
He held the MLB record for hits in season (17) for awhile. RIP Vic
Then Ichiro got 262 and surpassed him right?
Are you talking about George Sisler? Lol
Wait- like 17 seasons of the most hits, or the most hits over 17 seasons or he held the record for 17 consecutive seasons?
Maybe pinch-hits?
Pinch hits
He’ll always be an INDIAN, a Cleveland treasure.
He’s more memorable for his time with the A’s and Pirates.
Vic Davalillo was a pleasure to watch because of his speed and glove. and he could hit a little. A terrific player. May he RIP.
I believe he means pinch hits in a season.
he also got a WS ring from playing for the Pirates in 1971
RIP
That is a more than respectable career for sure. Look, just making it to the majors is one heck of an accomplishment. RIP Mr. Davalillo.
I remember Vic. Nice player. RIP.
Did you play with him?
No, he was retired by the time I was bouncing around the minors.
Rip sir. Your time with the dodgers are remembered
71, 73, 74 was a part of those World Series teams (3) article mentioned 2 of them.
RIP Vic…..
The Pirates were my childhood team and I remember Davalillo as part of those 1971 champs. Al Oliver was always in the lineup at either 1B or CF, with either Davilillo in CF or Bob Robertson at 1B. He also got some games in RF because Clemente needed days off, and a fair amount of PH opportunities.
A long time in MLB and two rings; RIP to a guy who had a fine career.
I remember Manny Sanguillen (sp?). Wasn’t he a catcher on that team?
Yes-I saw him in Cooperstown in the mid 1990’s and he still looked like he could play even though retired for 15 years.He was one strong guy.
He never saw a pitch that he did not want to swing at.
Yes, Sanguillen at catcher. Richie Hebner at 3B. Of course Clemente and Stargell. Jackie Hernandez and Dave Cash. Mazeroski and Gene Alley at the ends of their careers mostly on the bench. Jose Pagan got a big pinch hit in game 7. Steve Blass was the pitching star of the WS.
Too many of those names gone now . . .
Sanguillen returned to the Pirates late in his career, mostly as a PH and backup 1B. Got another WS ring in 1979. He and Stargell and Bruce Kison were the only 3 players on both teams.
I thought that he was on that team too but I was befuddled in that he was in the Bert Blyleven deal.
Kison was a key WS starter in the 1971 WS as a rookie.
And now you can get Manny’s BBQ at PNC Park!
Kison’s great 1971 contribution was actually in relief. Came into Game 4 early and pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings with only one hit, allowing the Pirates to come back and even the series.
I think I watched that on TV, but memories are fuzzy. I know I got home from school in time to see the end of Game 7. Grounder to Jackie Hernandez, throw to Bob Robertson for the last out.
You are right on Kison.
I try to remember these things because at that time when I was 18 years old I had gigabytes or megabytes of memory storage.
I have about six bytes now.
But I do remember when the players were leaving the field that Curt Gowdy said that Earl Weaver had said early during the season that the Pirates were not going to win anything with Jackie Hernandez at shortstop.
I wonder if he regretted saying that after the game.
Ahh-Me too,although they have extended into my adulthood also which in certain respects is still my childhood.
Vic came over with Nelson Briles from the Cardinals for another small stature fine hitter Matty Alou.He was a good pinch hitter and helped the Bucs get into the World Series.
Condolences to his family.
He has not been forgotten.
A fine career!
RIP
Only caught tale end of his career w/Dodgers. Seeing his name takes me back2 my youth n just starting my 50yr+ love affair w/baseball. RIP Pretty sure w/all the talent in heaven they play tripleheaders up there … n there’s NO pitch clock ! Just best ball u ever gonna see.
I remember Davalilo playing with my home town team, the Jacksonville Suns before he was called up to the Indians. As a grade schooler I was devastated when he left but knew he would be a star in the Bigs. RIP Vic.
Living in Jacksonville some years ago I attended a Suns game, minor league games are far more entertaining than those in the majors
A very talented player from very humble beginnings (Cabimas, Venezuela). RIP.
Vic was a big part of my favorite Os play of all time.10th inning 6th game 71 WS. My Os were on life support. Aging superstar Frank Robinson took matters in to his own hands using small ball strategy; scraping and clawing his way around to 3rd. Then, Brooks Robinson hits a shallow fly to Vic. Frank tags anyway. Vic did everything picture perfect on the play. To the Os good fortune, his one hop throw to Manny S kicked high and Frank slid underneath it. Ball game.
Thanks for the memory Vic. RIP. Condolences to family
Bummer! As a kid I thought he had a really cool name. As an adult, I still do.