"Ron began the season at Columbus but was recalled because of the injury to Rich Gossage. He was quickly demoted, then recalled on May 28 and immediately became the surprise sensation of the Yanks' pitching staff with 14 wins and nine saves- all in relief.
Born in Houston, Ron joined the Yankees in '78 from the Cubs in exchange for Ken Holtzman. There were 46,000 people on hand to see his major league debut- it was Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium. His 9-2 record at West Haven in '78 was the best in the team's history.
Ron was the Cubs' number three pick in the '76 winter draft."
-Jim Hawkins, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1980 Edition
"Just two short seasons ago, Ron Davis was enjoying a mediocre career as a starting pitcher with the Chicago Cubs organization. He was heading nowhere fast and he had yet to even reach the triple-A level. But on June 15, 1978, Ron Davis' career suddenly took a turn for the better. On that day, the Yankees sent Ken Holtzman to the Cubs for a minor league pitcher from Houston, Texas named Ron Davis.
From that day on, the 24-year-old right-hander was asked to concentrate on pitching relief and the rest is history. At West Haven, Ron rolled up a 9-2 record and a 1.50 ERA. His .818 winning percentage was the best in West Haven's history. For his efforts, Ron was called up to the majors and worked in four games with the Yankees.
Last year, Ron started off in Columbus and was called to the Yankees when the bullpen situation became desperate. It was at this time that he distinguished himself as a premier relief artist. His 14-2 record and 2.85 ERA was worthy of him being mentioned as a Rookie of the Year candidate. His 14 wins set a record for most wins by an American League rookie pitcher in relief, breaking a 52-year-old record previously held by Wilcy Moore of the 1927 Yankees.
What kind of encore can Yankee fans expect from this long and lean Texas? You'll be sure to see more middle and long inning relief work with Goose back in the lineup. But no one will be expecting too much ... just a repeat of his freshman season!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1980 Yearbook
"Davis was the surprise of the year for the Yankees and a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. He set a record for most wins by a rookie pitcher in relief with 14, breaking the record of 13 set by Wilcy Moore of the 1927 Yankees.
Despite a 1.28 ERA in spring training, Ron was sent to Columbus for some seasoning at the AAA level. After Rich Gossage's thumb injury, he was called up on April 24, but one after shaky appearance was sent back down on May 3; however, injuries to Ron Guidry (hamstring) and Ed Figueroa (elbow) sent Ron up again on May 28. That night he forced Sixto Lezcano into a double play with the lead run on base in the eighth inning, and he went on to earn his first major league win. Two nights later, he forced Gorman Thomas to do the same in the ninth inning of a similar situation. Again he earned a win. Four days later, he enticed Junior Moore into an eighth-inning double play in the same situation and earned his third straight win. The last one was in front of a Jacket Day crowd of 55,000 at the Stadium.
Ron went on to win eight straight, along with four saves as a short reliever, before he suffered his first loss on July 14. By that time, Rich Gossage had come back, forcing Ron into a different role. He continued to pitch well, however, and finished with four wins and two saves in his last nine games. He was 6-1 with five saves in his last 22 games. Ron also became the fourth Yankee pitcher to bat since the designated hitter rule; he struck out against Mark Clear in the 10th inning at California on July 14.
Ron joined the Yankees in mid-1978 from the Cubs organization. He had been primarily a starter with the Cubs' farm clubs but became a reliever at West Haven. He was 9-2 with a 1.50 ERA and five saves, although he was in only 21 games. His .818 winning percentage was the best in West Haven's history. Ron saw action in four games with the Yankees in '78, all in relief. His major league debut was Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium before 46,000 people.
Davis was the Cubs' number three selection in the January 1976 Free Agent Draft. He was only 20-21 lifetime with a 4.88 ERA in the Cub system, including only 3-3 with a 6.35 ERA in '78. Since joining the Yankee organization and becoming strictly a reliever, he is 23-5 with a 2.66 ERA.
Ron wed Millie Gollinger right after the 1979 season ended. He spent most of the off-season in the New York area, living in the New Jersey home of his bullpen mate Rich Gossage while Goose was in Colorado. Ron was kept busy as a banquet speaker in the area.
He's a native of Houston where he was a baseball, basketball and tennis standout at Milby High School. Ron was a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, and has a degree in Special Education from Blinn. He lists Catfish Hunter as his favorite player.
Ron enjoys hunting and fishing."
-New York Yankees 1980 Media Guide
No comments:
Post a Comment