View source for Vic Davalillo

{{Short description|Venezuelan baseball player (1939–2023)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{family name hatnote|Davalillo|Romero|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Vic Davalillo
|image=Vic Davalillo 1968.JPG
|caption=Davalillo with the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] in 1968 
|position=[[Outfielder]]
|birth_date={{Birth date|1939|07|31|df=y}}
|birth_place=[[Cabimas]], [[Zulia]], Venezuela
|death_date={{Death date and age|2023|12|06|1939|07|31|df=y}}
|death_place=[[Caracas]], Venezuela
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 9
|debutyear=1963
|debutteam=Cleveland Indians
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 6
|finalyear=1980
|finalteam=Los Angeles Dodgers
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.279
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=36
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=329
|teams=
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1963}}–{{mlby|1968}})
* [[California Angels]] ({{mlby|1968}}–{{mlby|1969}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1969}}–{{mlby|1970}})
* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{mlby|1971}}–{{mlby|1973}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|1973}}–{{mlby|1974}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|1977}}–{{mlby|1980}})
|highlights=
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1965 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1965]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1971}}, {{wsy|1973}})
* [[Gold Glove Award]] (1964)
|hofcolor = #ffd700
|hoflink = Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = Venezuelan
|hofdate = [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum#2003|2003]]
|hofvote = 
|hofmethod = 
}}

'''Víctor José Davalillo Romero''' (31 July 1939 – 6 December 2023) was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and the [[Mexican League]] as an [[outfielder]] from 1963 to 1982.

Davalillo (pronounced da-va-LEE-yo) played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Cleveland Indians]] (1963–68), [[California Angels]] ([[1968 California Angels season|1968]]–[[1969 California Angels season|69]]), [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ([[1969 St. Louis Cardinals season|1969]]–[[1970 St. Louis Cardinals season|70]]), [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ([[1971 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1971]]–[[1973 Pittsburgh Pirates season|73]]), [[Oakland Athletics]] ([[1973 Oakland Athletics season|1973]]–[[1974 Oakland Athletics season|74]]), and [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ([[1977 Los Angeles Dodgers season|1977]]–[[1980 Los Angeles Dodgers season|80]])<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davalvi01.shtml|title=Vic Davalillo Stats|date=2011|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref>
as an [[outfielder]].

Davalillo, who batted and threw left-handed, was a [[leadoff hitter]] known for his speedy [[baserunner|baserunning]] and capable defense.<ref name="Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zTIDAAAAMBAJ&q=davalillo+jacksonville&pg=PA57|title=Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64|author=Stann, Francis|date=December 1963|publisher=Century Publishing|magazine=[[Baseball Digest]]|access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTIDAAAAMBAJ&q=vic+davalillo+baseball+digest&pg=PA23|title=A Three-Gear Base Runner|author=Rumill, Ed|date=May 1964|publisher=Century Publishing|magazine=[[Baseball Digest]]|access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref> He was a fan favorite during his years with the Indians, and became a valuable [[utility player]] later in his career.<ref name="www.netshrine.com"/> He was also recognized as a superb [[pinch hitter]].<ref name="Brobdingnagian In Lilliput">{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1972/08/28/613160/brobdingnagian-in-lilliput|title=Brobdingnagian In Lilliput|date=28 August 1972|last=Tobin|first=Jack|publisher=Sports illustrated|work=[[SI.com]]|access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref>

Davalillo also had an exceptional career in the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League|Venezuelan Winter League]], where he is the all-time leader in total [[Hit (baseball)|base hits]] and career [[Batting average (baseball)|batting average]].<ref name="sabrbio">{{sabrbio|92dda5ac|Rory Costello|25 October 2011}}</ref> He played for 30 years in the U.S., Mexico, and his homeland, compiling more than 4,100 base hits total.<ref name="ViticoalBate">{{cite book | title=Vitico al Bate | publisher=Biblioteca Digital Banesco | author=González, Javier and Carlos Figueroa Ruiz | year=2019}}</ref>

==Early life==
Although many baseball references show Davalillo's birthplace as [[Cabimas]], Venezuela, in 2006 he told a biographer that he was born in [[Churuguara]], [[Falcón]] on 31 July 1939.<ref name=sabrbio/><ref>{{cite book | title=Víctor Davalillo | publisher=Colección de Bolsillo Radio Deporte 1590 AM | author=Fuenmayor, Asdrúbal | year=2006}}</ref> Other sources have given his date of birth as 30 July 1939, or sometime in 1936.<ref name = AP>{{cite news|url = https://apnews.com/article/vic-davalillo-obituary-06c11f1247ac2c6a63ec96e42c21d83b|title = Vic Davalillo, a 2-time World Series champion in 16 major league seasons, dies|date = 11 December 2023|accessdate = 11 December 2023|work = [[Associated Press News]]}}</ref> His family moved to Cabimas a few days after he was born. He grew up in the [[Costa Oriental del Lago de Maracaibo|Costa Oriental]] region on [[Lake Maracaibo]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64"/><ref name=sabrbio/> His older brother, [[Yo-Yo Davalillo|Pompeyo Davalillo]], played briefly for the [[Washington Senators (1901–60)|Washington Senators]] in [[1953 Washington Senators season|1953]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64"/>

==U.S. minor league career==
Davalillo began his career as a [[pitcher]]. He signed a contract as an amateur [[free agent]] with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in {{Baseball year|1958}}.<ref name="Vic Davalillo at Baseball Cube">{{cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Vic-Davalillo.shtml |title=Vic Davalillo at Baseball Cube |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1zEDAAAAMBAJ&q=vic+davalillo+baseball+digest&pg=PA89 |title=A Slap Champ? |author=Rumill, Ed |date=September 1965 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> He was sold to the Indians organisation in [[1961 in baseball|1961]] and moved up the ladder to Jacksonville, their [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] club in the [[International League]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo Trades and Transactions">{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=davalvi01 |title=Vic Davalillo Trades and Transactions |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> Davalillo won the first batting title in the [[Jacksonville Suns]] history with a .346 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] in [[1962 in baseball|1962]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64"/><ref name="Vic Davalillo at Baseball Cube"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?id=11908#league_batting |title=1962 International League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

==Major league career (first phase)==
Davalillo became the eighth Venezuelan to play in Major League Baseball when he joined the Indians in [[1963 Cleveland Indians season|1963]] as their leadoff hitter and [[center fielder]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/><ref name=sabrbio/> By mid-June, he was hitting for a .304 batting average and was receiving consideration for the [[American League]] [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]] when, he was hit by a pitch by [[Hank Aguirre]] and suffered a broken wrist.<ref name="Vic Davalillo May Prove He Was '63's Top Rookie In '64"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=davalvi01&t=b&year=1963 |title=1963 Vic Davalillo batting log |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=7 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Persistent Peters Top Rookie |agency=Associated Press |work=Sarasota Journal |page=79 |date=22 November 1963 |access-date=7 February 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NxQhAAAAIBAJ&pg=1556,3458436&dq=vic+davalillo&hl=en}}</ref> He returned from the injury to lead the Indians in [[Batting (baseball)|hitting]] with a .292 along with a career-high 7 [[home run]]s in 90 games however, after the injury, he was never the same hitter against left handed pitching.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/><ref name=sabrbio/><ref name="The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zjLiv-NNsiQC&q=why+did+the+indians+trade+davalillo%3F&pg=PA157 |title=The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia |author=Schneider, Russell |year=2004 |publisher=Sports Publishing LLC |isbn=9781582618401 |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> In October, he was named to the {{Baseball year|1963}} [[Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters|Topps All-Star Rookie Team]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Berra 'Knew' Year Ago |work=Reading Eagle |page=22 |date=25 October 1963 |access-date=8 February 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xhkrAAAAIBAJ&pg=6023,5259746&dq=topps+rookie+all+star+team&hl=en}}</ref> The following season, Davalillo finished second in the league in [[fielding percentage]] among center fielders and was named as a recipient of the {{Baseball year|1964}} American League [[Gold Glove Award]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1964-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=1964 American League Fielding Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=7 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_al.shtml#1964 |title=1964 Gold Glove Award winners |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=7 February 2011 }}</ref> He was the first left-handed throwing outfielder to win an American League Gold Glove Award ([[Vada Pinson]] won the {{mlby|1961}} National League Gold Glove Award as a left-handed outfielder).

In [[1965 Cleveland Indians season|1965]], Davalillo led the league in [[Batting (baseball)|batting]] at mid-season with a .345 batting average, earning him a place as the starting center fielder for the American League team in the [[1965 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1965 All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS196507130.shtml |title=1965 All-Star Game |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AL Picks Bats In All-Star Vote |agency=Associated Press |work=Schenectady Gazette |page=31 |date=1 July 1965 |access-date=6 February 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AdBKAAAAIBAJ&pg=595,186592&dq=batting+leaders&hl=en}}</ref> He ended the {{Baseball year|1965}} season with a .301 batting average, third-best in the American League behind [[Tony Oliva]] and [[Carl Yastrzemski]], the only other players to break the .300 mark that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1965-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1965 American League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> Davalillo had an off year in [[1966 Cleveland Indians season|1966]], and the Indians began to use him in a [[Platoon system|platoon]] role, playing him when they faced right-handed pitchers.<ref name=sabrbio/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IDIDAAAAMBAJ&q=vic+davalillo+baseball+digest&pg=PA52 |title=The Big Hole in the Platoon |author=August, Bob |date=August 1966 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> In [[1967 Cleveland Indians season|1967]], he hit for a .302 average against right-handed pitchers but, only managed a .188 average against left handers, for a .287 average overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=davalvi01&year=1967&t=b#plato::none |title=1967 Vic Davalillo batting splits |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

Davalillo was batting .239 with 12 [[Run batted in|runs batted in]] (RBI) when he was traded from the [[1968 Cleveland Indians season|Indians]] to the [[1968 California Angels season|California Angels]] for [[Jimmie Hall]] before the trade deadline on 15 June 1968.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19680617&id=Y8JGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eukMAAAAIBAJ&pg=781,3640855 "Major League Teams Beat Clock with Last-Minute Trading Spurt," ''Schenectady'' (NY) ''Gazette'', Monday, June 17, 1968.] Retrieved 17 February 2023.</ref> He rebounded to lead the Angels with a .298 batting average after the trade, finishing the season with a .277 average overall, the sixth highest average in the American League.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/> In an era dominated by [[Pitch (baseball)|pitching]], Yastrzemski was the only player in the American League to hit for an average higher than .300 in {{Baseball year|1968}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1968-batting-leaders.shtml |title=1968 American League Batting Leaders |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

In January {{Baseball year|1969}}, Davalillo suffered a nervous breakdown while he was in Venezuela to play in the [[Venezuelan Winter League]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8DEDAAAAMBAJ&q=vic+davalillo+baseball+digest&pg=PA45 |title=How Big League Clubs Shape Up For 1969 |author=Vass, George |date=April 1969 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> He began the [[1969 California Angels season|1969 season]] hitting for only a .155 average in 33 games and on 30 May, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for [[Jim Hicks]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo Trades and Transactions"/> In his first [[National League (baseball)|National League]] [[at bat]] on 1 June, [[1969 St. Louis Cardinals season|1969]], Davalillo hit a three-[[Run (baseball)|run]] home run.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardinals, Dodgers And Pirates Explode Into June |agency=Associated Press |work=St. Petersburg Times |page=2 |date=2 June 1969 |access-date=7 February 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XMpaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6888,1682540&dq=vic+davalillo&hl=en}}</ref> He also made two appearances as a [[relief pitcher]] for the Cardinals in 1969 but failed to retire any [[Batter (baseball)|batters]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=davalvi01&t=p&year=1969#pitching_gamelogs::none |title=1969 Vic Davalillo pitching log |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> He is one of 14 pitchers in Major League history to have posted an infinite ERA, and the only one to have pitched in more than one game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/7450 |title=To Infinity And Beyond! » Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=19 August 2016 }}</ref>

Davalillo became a [[utility player]] and highly effective [[pinch hitter]] with the Cardinals in [[1970 St. Louis Cardinals season|1970]]. He was originally credited with 24 pinch hits in {{Baseball year|1970}}, which broke the National League record set by [[Sam Leslie]] (1932) and tied by [[Red Schoendienst]] (1962). He also ostensibly tied the major-league single-season mark, also set by [[Dave Philley]] in {{Baseball year|1961}}. The total was subsequently corrected to 23, but while Davalillo was still credited with holding it, it was broken in {{Baseball year|1976}} by [[José Morales (designated hitter)|José Morales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/pinch-hitters-records.shtml |title=Pinch Hitter records |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref><ref name=sabrbio/><ref name="www.netshrine.com"/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vy0DAAAAMBAJ&q=the+toughest+job+in+baseball&pg=PA32 |title=Pinch Hitting: Baseball's Toughest Job |author=Vass, George |date=November 2004 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=9 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091598/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025094806/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091598/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 October 2012 |title=The Super Supernumerary |author=Dunn, Bob |publisher=sportsillustrated.cnn.com |date=27 September 1976 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=9 February 2011 }}</ref> One of the previous National League record holders was also his [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] in 1970: [[Red Schoendienst]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4zADAAAAMBAJ&q=Red+Schoendienst+single+season+pinch+hit+record&pg=PA37 |title=Hitting In A Pinch; Baseball's Most Difficult Job |author=Beach, Jerry |date=June 1999 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=9 February 2011 }}</ref> Davalillo ended the season with a .311 average and 33 runs batted in.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/>

The Cardinals traded Davalillo along with [[Nelson Briles]] to the Pittsburgh Pirates for [[Matty Alou]] and [[George Brunet]] in January {{Baseball year|1971}}.<ref name="Vic Davalillo Trades and Transactions"/> He continued in his role as a utility player, facing mostly right-handed pitchers and playing all three [[outfield]] positions and as a [[first baseman]].<ref name="Brobdingnagian In Lilliput"/> Davalillo ended the year with a .285 batting average, helping the Pirates clinch the [[National League Eastern Division]] title.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1971.shtml |title=1971 Pittsburgh Pirates |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> The Pirates went on to defeat the [[1971 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in the [[1971 National League Championship Series]] before winning the [[1971 World Series]] against the [[1971 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]]. In [[1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1972]], he continued to be a valuable role player, hitting for a career-high .318 batting average in 117 games, helping the Pirates win the Eastern Division [[pennant race|pennant]], before they lost to the [[1972 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]] in the [[1972 National League Championship Series]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/><ref name="Brobdingnagian In Lilliput"/>

In July [[1973 Oakland Athletics season|1973]], the Pirates sold Davalillo to the Oakland Athletics, who were in the midst of a [[pennant race]] with the [[1973 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo Trades and Transactions"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/1973-schedule-scores.shtml |title=1973 Oakland Athletics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> The Athletics eventually won the [[American League West]] Division and faced the [[1973 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] in the [[1973 American League Championship Series]]. Davalillo had five hits in eight at-bats for a .625 batting average during the championship series, including a crucial RBI [[Triple (baseball)|triple]] in the deciding Game 5.<ref name="Vic Davalillo post-season batting statistics">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davalvi01.shtml?redir#batting_postseason |title=Vic Davalillo post-season batting statistics |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1973_ALCS.shtml |title=1973 American League Championship Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197310110.shtml |title=1973 American League Championship Series Game 5 box score |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

The Athletics then went on to defeat the [[1973 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] in the [[1973 World Series]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1973_WS.shtml |title=1973 World Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> Davalillo played in six of the seven games, starting twice in center field and going 1-for-11 altogether.

After appearing in 17 games for the Athletics in the [[1974 Oakland Athletics season|1974 season]], Davalillo was released on 30 May.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/>

==Mexican League==
Davalillo then played three seasons in the [[Mexican League]]. He was the league's top hitter with a .384 batting average in {{Baseball year|1977}}. He continued to pitch on occasion.

==Comeback in the majors==
The Los Angeles Dodgers, seeking an experienced reserve, purchased Davalillo's contract in August 1977.<ref name=sabrbio/><ref name="Vic Davalillo at Baseball Cube"/><ref name="www.netshrine.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.netshrine.com/vbulletin2/archive/index.php/t-17243.html |title=www.netshrine.com |publisher=netshrine.com |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> As a pinch hitter and a defensive substitute, he posted a .313 batting average in 24 games for the Dodgers in [[1977 Los Angeles Dodgers season|1977]], helping them win the [[National League West]] Division crown.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/> Davalillo thus became the first major-leaguer to play for three different teams in the [[League Championship Series]] (Pittsburgh in {{Baseball year|1971}}–{{Baseball year|1972}}, Oakland in {{Baseball year|1973}} and Los Angeles in {{Baseball year|1977}}).<ref name="The Cleveland Indians Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Vic Davalillo post-season batting statistics"/>

Davalillo's pinch-hitting talent played a prominent role in the Dodgers' come-from-behind victory in Game 3 of the [[1977 National League Championship Series]] against the [[1977 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=51ioOWijS5cC&q=davalillo+bunt+versus+phillies&pg=PA51 |title=You Can't Lose 'Em All: The Year the Phillies Finally Won the World Series |author=Fitzpatrick, Frank |year=2004 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publications |isbn=9781589790865 |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> Trailing the Phillies 5–3 with 2 [[Out (baseball)|outs]] in the 9th [[inning]], he spearheaded a three-run rally by surprising the Phillies defense with a perfectly executed [[Bunt (baseball)|drag bunt]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dodger Comeback Sinks Phils |agency=Associated Press |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |page=12 |date=8 October 1977 |access-date=8 February 2011 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4fpLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4213,1850907&dq=vic+davalillo&hl=en}}</ref> [[Manny Mota]] drove Davalillo home with a [[Double (baseball)|double]], then scored on a [[Single (baseball)|single]] by [[Davey Lopes]] to tie the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI197710070.shtml |title=1977 National League Championship Series Game 3 box score |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref> The Dodgers eventually won the game and went on to win Game 4 to clinch the National League championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1977_NLCS.shtml |title=1977 National League Championship Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

In the [[1977 World Series]] against the [[1977 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]], Davalillo made three pinch-hitting appearances, driving home one run with a single as the Dodgers lost the series in six games.<ref name="Vic Davalillo post-season batting statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1977_WS.shtml |title=1977 World Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

At the age of 42 in [[1978 Los Angeles Dodgers season|1978]], Davalillo hit for a .312 average as a pinch hitter for the Dodgers as they once again claimed the National League pennant before losing to the [[1978 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] for a second consecutive year in the [[1978 World Series]].<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1978_WS.shtml |title=1978 World Series |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

Davalillo remained on manager [[Tommy Lasorda]]'s squad to start the 1979 season, but in mid-June, he returned to Triple-A ball for the first time in 17 years. He rejoined  the big club in September, going 4-for-10.<ref name=sabrbio/>

==Continued action in Mexico and the majors==
After the 1979 season the Dodgers released Davalillo. He returned to Mexico, and after he hit .394 in 94 games, the Dodgers reached out for him again. He played for the Dodgers' Triple-A team in Albuquerque and was called up at age 44 for his last six big-league at-bats in September and October 1980.<ref name=sabrbio/>

Davalillo played in 40 final games in the Mexican League in 1981. His career south of the border continued, however, in the little-known Liga Nacional. This circuit was started in 1981 by ANABE (Asociación Nacional de Beisbolistas), a Mexican players' association. Davalillo played in 1982 for Lechugueros de León. If Liga Nacional records still exist, they would be extremely difficult to find, but apparently Davalillo hit .360 in 124 games for the Lettuce Growers. In 1986 he was invited to join another Liga Nacional club, Tuzos de Zacatecas, but the circuit folded before he played for the Gophers.<ref name=sabrbio/><ref name=ViticoalBate/>

==Venezuelan professional baseball==
Davalillo kept playing in the Venezuelan Winter League until the age of 50.<ref name="Davalillo, 47, Still Going Strong">{{cite news |title=Davalillo, 47, Still Going Strong |agency=United Press International |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 February 1987 |access-date=8 February 2011 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-02-08-sp-1482-story.html}}</ref> All told, he played in 30 seasons between 1957 and 1987:

* 19 for the [[Leones del Caracas]] (1957–58 through 1974–75, 1986–87)
* One for "Tibuleones" de Portuguesa (1975–76)
* 10 for the [[Tigres de Aragua]] (1976–77 through 1985–86).

Davalillo retired after appearing in the [[1987 Caribbean Series]].<ref name=sabrbio/>

==Other leagues in Venezuela==
* 1959–60: Liga Occidental Zuliana (postseason reinforcement)<ref name=ViticoalBate/>
* 1983: Liga Centro Occidental<ref name=ViticoalBate/>
* 1985–86: Liga de Verano (as player-manager)<ref name=ViticoalBate/>
* 1985: Liga Instruccional "Angel Millán"<ref name=ViticoalBate/>

==Death==
Davalillo died in [[Caracas]] from complications of surgery on 6 December 2023, at the age of 84.<ref name = AP/><ref>[https://elextrabase.com/2023/12/06/fallece-vitico-davalillo-leyenda-venezolana-en-grandes-ligas-y-la-lvbp/ Fallece Vítico Davalillo, leyenda venezolana en Grandes Ligas y la LVBP] {{in lang|es}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
In a 16-year major-league career, Davalillo played in 1,458 [[Games played|games]], accumulating 1,122 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in 4,017 [[at bats]] for a .279 career batting average along with 36 [[home run]]s, 329 [[runs batted in]], a .315 [[on-base percentage]], 509 [[Run (baseball statistics)|runs]], 160 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], 37 [[Triple (baseball)|triples]], and 125 [[stolen base]]s.<ref name="Vic Davalillo statistics"/> He finished his career at center field with a .988 [[fielding percentage]], ranking him 61st among major league center fielders since {{Baseball year|1913}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/fielding_perc_cf_career.shtml |title=Career Leaders & Records for Fielding Percentage as Center Fielder |publisher=Baseball Reference |access-date=8 February 2011 }}</ref>

As a pinch hitter in MLB, he recorded 95 hits in 367 at-bats (.259) with 5 home runs and 48 RBI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://baseball-reference.com/players/d/davalvi01-bat.shtml|title=Vic Davalillo Situational Statistics at Baseball Reference|website=baseball-reference.com|accessdate= December 19, 2023}}</ref>

In the Venezuelan Winter League, he set lifetime league records that still stand in batting average (.325), hits (1,505), games played (1,280), at-bats (4,633), runs (668), doubles (196), runs batted in (483) and career seasons (30).<ref name=sabrbio/><ref name="Davalillo, 47, Still Going Strong"/><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YXg4bi3Rg68C&dq=vic+davalillo&pg=RA1-PA424 ''Baseball with a Latin beat: a history of the Latin American game'' By Peter C. Bjarkman, McFarland, 1994] {{ISBN|0-89950-973-8}} {{ISBN|978-0-89950-973-0}}</ref><ref name="Diamonds around the globe: the encyclopedia of international baseball">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ASSUFP8rxhMC&q=vic+davalillo&pg=PA226 |title=Diamonds around the globe: the encyclopedia of international baseball |author=Bjarkman, Peter |year=2005 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780313322686 |access-date=9 February 2011 }}</ref> Beside this, he won four batting titles and set record in hits (100) in a season.<ref name=sabrbio/><ref name="Diamonds around the globe: the encyclopedia of international baseball"/>

The 2019 biography ''Vitico al Bate'' credits him with 4,158 total base hits as a professional:

* Along with 1,505 regular-season hits in the Venezuelan winter league, 131 in that league's postseason and 21 more in All-Star games
* Along with 1,122 in the major leagues, 10 more in MLB postseason play and one in the All-Star Game
* Along with 379 in the U.S. minors, three in a minor-league All-Star game
* 829 in Mexico
* 130 in other Venezuelan leagues
* 27 in the Caribbean Series and Inter-American Series<ref name=ViticoalBate/>

<small>''Note'': This total may not account for U.S. minor-league postseason games.
Note also that ''La Enciclopedia del Beisbol Mexicano'' credits Davalillo with 782 in the Mexican League. Uncertainty exists around totals in the Liga Nacional. </small>

==Honors==
In 1987, the ballpark in [[Cabimas]], [[Zulia]], was renamed Estadio Víctor Davalillo.<ref name=sabrbio/> The Most Valuable Player award in the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League]] is also named after him.<ref name=sabrbio/>

In 2003, Davalillo was selected to the inaugural class of the [[Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]].<ref name=sabrbio/>

The Venezuelan winter league played its 2019–20 season in Davalillo's honor.<ref name=sabrbio/>

In March 2022, a youth baseball program in Caracas called "Escuela de Beisbol Menor Víctor Davalillo" began operations.<ref name=sabrbio/>

The book "Portrait of a Franchise: An Intimate Look at Cleveland Indians Baseball during the Rockin' Sixties" includes a chapter about Davalillo.

==See also==
* [[List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball]]
* [[List of Gold Glove Award winners at outfield]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Baseballstats |mlb=113077 |espn= |br=d/davalvi01 |fangraphs=1003012 |brm=davali001vic |retro=D/Pdavav101 }}
*{{SABR Baseball Biography Project|92dda5ac}}

{{1971 Pittsburgh Pirates}}
{{1973 Oakland Athletics}}
{{AL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{Mexican League batting title}}
{{Leones del Caracas}}
{{Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davalillo, Vic}}
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