Dick Davis – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dick Davis carved out a unique spot in baseball history during his six-season Major League Baseball run from 1977 to 1982. Growing up in Long Beach, California, he mostly played as an outfielder and designated hitter for four teams—the Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

His journey took him from the American minor leagues to the big leagues in MLB, and then even further to Japan, where he actually found his greatest success.

Davis finished his MLB career with a .265 batting average, 27 home runs, and 141 RBIs. But honestly, his best numbers came after he left American baseball—he hit .331 with 117 home runs in Japan’s Pacific League. His story really fits the path a lot of American players followed in the 1980s, chasing new chances in Japanese pro baseball after their MLB days ended.

Davis’s career had plenty of movement. He got traded a lot, including a weird 1982 stretch where he was traded twice for the same player in just one week.

From his early days as a Milwaukee Brewers prospect to his last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis saw just about everything pro baseball could throw at him. He found his stride in Japan with the Kintetsu Buffaloes, showing off his skills on a whole new stage, though things ended there on a controversial note in 1988.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Richard Earl Davis was born September 25, 1953, in Long Beach, California. That’s where he started building the foundation for his baseball career.

He went to Compton High School in California, then moved on to Snow College in Utah, where he really sharpened his athletic skills.

Birthplace and Childhood

Richard Earl Davis came into the world in Long Beach, California, on September 25, 1953. Growing up in Southern California meant Davis could play baseball year-round, thanks to the great weather.

Back then, the Long Beach area had a reputation for turning out talented athletes. Davis spent his early years surrounded by a strong baseball culture.

California’s amateur baseball scene gave kids like Davis access to good coaching and tough competition. That early exposure helped him develop into a future pro.

Education and High School Baseball

Davis attended Compton High School in Compton, California, where he played baseball and started making a name for himself as an outfielder. Compton High had a solid history of producing athletes in those days.

After high school, Davis headed to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. The move gave him more chances to polish his baseball skills while keeping up with his studies.

At Snow College, Davis caught the eyes of pro scouts. His performance there led to his signing with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Influences and Family Background

There aren’t many details out there about Davis’s family, but it’s clear that growing up in California’s baseball-heavy environment shaped him. That tradition of producing major league talent inspired a lot of young players.

Davis’s decision to go to college in Utah speaks to his commitment, both to the game and to his education. He managed to keep developing as a player while staying on track academically.

The mix of California’s baseball culture and Utah’s college opportunities really set Davis up for a shot at the pros. His amateur career hit its peak when the Milwaukee Brewers signed him as a free agent in 1972, when he was just 18.

Major League Baseball Debut and Teams

Dick Davis made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 12, 1977, at 23 years old. Over six seasons, he played for four teams, spending most of his time with Milwaukee before wrapping up his career with short runs in Philadelphia, Toronto, and Pittsburgh.

Debut with Milwaukee Brewers

Davis broke into the big leagues on July 12, 1977, with the Milwaukee Brewers. The team had signed him as an amateur free agent back in 1972. He spent a few years working his way up through the minors before getting that first call-up.

He made his debut against the New York Yankees, picking up one hit in three at-bats and driving in a run. His rookie year was short—just 22 games—but he hit .275.

Davis became a regular for Milwaukee over the next three years. He played 69 games in 1978, then had his biggest season in 1979 with 91 games and 12 home runs.

In 1980, Davis appeared in 106 games, hitting .271 with 99 hits and 26 doubles. He mostly split his time between designated hitter and outfielder.

Philadelphia Phillies Tenure

Davis joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, which was a weird, strike-shortened season. That move ended up being the most productive stretch of his MLB career.

In 45 games with Philadelphia, Davis put up a .333 batting average and a .479 slugging percentage. He earned a 140 OPS+, which is way above league average.

He chipped in 32 hits, including six doubles and two home runs, and drove in 19 runs. That strong run showed what he could do when he got regular at-bats.

Davis came back to the Phillies for part of the 1982 season, playing 28 games and hitting .279 with 19 hits and two home runs before getting traded again.

Stint with Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates

Davis’s last MLB season in 1982 was a whirlwind—he played for three teams. After Philadelphia, he landed briefly with the Toronto Blue Jays.

His time in Toronto was super short, just three games. He went two-for-seven for a .286 average.

The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up Davis for the last part of the 1982 season. He played 39 games there but struggled, hitting just .182.

He managed 14 hits in 77 at-bats for the Pirates, including two doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Davis wrapped up his MLB career with Pittsburgh, finishing the season on October 1.

Playing Style and Field Positions

Dick Davis brought a lot of versatility to the field during his six MLB seasons, switching between outfield spots and designated hitter. As a right-handed hitter and thrower, he gave his teams a reliable defensive player in several roles.

Outfielder Responsibilities

Davis showed solid defensive skills in all three outfield positions. He played mainly in left field, logging 61 games there and posting a .978 fielding percentage.

He also spent a lot of time in right field, playing 74 games. Davis had decent range and a strong arm, tracking fly balls well and making accurate throws.

He didn’t get many chances in center field—just five games—but his speed and instincts let him handle it when needed.

Davis put up a 1.000 fielding percentage in some seasons, and his range factor numbers suggest he moved pretty well out there. Teams appreciated his steady glove and flexibility.

DH Appearances

The designated hitter role became a bigger part of Davis’s career as time went on. He racked up 160 games as a DH over six seasons, especially with the Brewers in the American League.

In 1980, Davis shifted even more to DH, starting there in 65 games while only playing the field in 38. Teams wanted his bat in the lineup, and the DH spot made that easier.

The role fit him well, especially in his prime. Most of his .265 career average and 27 home runs came while splitting time between DH and outfield. It let him focus on hitting instead of worrying about defense every day.

Milwaukee used him as a DH more than anyone else, seeing his value at the plate and wanting to keep him in the game.

Batting and Throwing Techniques

Davis always batted right-handed, and he developed a pretty consistent swing. Over 403 games, he hit 27 home runs and drove in 141 runs—not huge power, but respectable for the time.

He also threw right-handed, showing good arm strength and accuracy from the outfield. Davis picked up outfield assists by nailing runners who tried to take extra bases.

Being a righty both ways made Davis useful against left-handed pitching. Teams often used him in platoon situations to get the most out of those matchups.

His batting mechanics helped him keep up a .265 career average. It wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable, and teams could count on him for steady offense.

Career Performance and Statistics

Dick Davis wrapped up his MLB career with a .265 batting average, 27 home runs, and 141 RBIs over 403 games. His best year statistically came in 1981 with Philadelphia, where he put up career highs in several offensive categories.

Batting Averages and OPS

Davis made decent contact at the plate, finishing with a .265 average. His on-base percentage was .294, and he slugged .394, giving him a .689 OPS overall.

That 1981 run with Philadelphia was his peak. Davis hit .333, got on base at a .387 clip, and slugged .479. His .866 OPS that year was way above his average.

His numbers in Milwaukee from 1977 to 1980 were steady but unspectacular—a .264 average and .681 OPS. The move to Philadelphia really boosted his plate discipline and power.

In 1982, things started to go downhill. Davis hit just .230 overall, and his numbers with Pittsburgh were rough—just a .182 average in his final stretch.

Home Runs and Runs Batted In

Davis hit 27 home runs and drove in 141 runs during his MLB career. He averaged about 11 homers per 162 games, so he wasn’t a big power threat but could still go deep.

His best power season was 1979 with Milwaukee, when he hit 12 home runs in 91 games and drove in 41 runs.

In 1980, Davis played 106 games, hitting four home runs and collecting 30 RBIs. He usually drove in around 26 runs a season with the Brewers.

During that strong 1981 stint in Philadelphia, Davis hit two home runs and had 19 RBIs in just 45 games. He picked up the pace, even with the season being shorter.

Performance in Key Seasons

Davis’s 1981 season with Philadelphia stands out as his career highlight. He posted a 140 OPS+ and his only positive WAR (0.7). That was during the strike-shortened season.

His years in Milwaukee from 1977 to 1980 were steady but didn’t really stand out. Davis had negative WAR values each season, ranging from -0.2 to -0.7, and averaged 72 games a year.

The 1982 season was tough. Davis bounced between three teams and hit just .230 overall. His time in Pittsburgh was especially rough, with a .182 average over 39 games.

Davis finished with a career WAR of -2.0, which suggests he was below average overall. That 0.7 WAR in Philadelphia in 1981 was his best single-season mark.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Dick Davis left his mark on baseball through steady contributions to multiple teams and his positive presence in the clubhouse during his six-season career. His path from Brewers prospect to veteran showed the kind of dedication it takes to stick around at the top.

Contributions to Teams

Davis always brought steady offense to every team he joined during his Major League Baseball career. With the Milwaukee Brewers, he stepped up as a dependable outfielder, hitting for average and flashing some power.

He finished his career with a .265 batting average, 27 home runs, and 141 RBIs in 403 games. That’s a pretty solid record for a guy who wasn’t always in the spotlight.

The Philadelphia Phillies really got a boost from Davis in the 1981 season. He hit an impressive .333 during that strike-shortened year, stepping in with much-needed offense.

That year, he showed he could adapt to new teams and situations, which not every player manages so easily.

With the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis wrapped up his MLB journey. He brought some veteran leadership and gave both clubs consistent at-bats.

Managers appreciated his ability to play all over the outfield, which made him pretty useful when they needed lineup flexibility.

Influence on Teammates

Davis didn’t just make an impact on the field. He connected with younger players and fans, too. His gentle demeanor and openness made him well-liked in the clubhouse.

Teammates appreciated his professional attitude, whether things were going well or not. That kind of steady presence is rare.

He set the tone for work ethic, always showing that baseball success takes real dedication. Davis led by example, proving that consistent effort matters.

After MLB, he kept chasing his love for the game by playing in Japan. That move showed how much he cared about baseball and his own growth.

Life After MLB and Net Worth

Richard Earl Davis found a new path in Japanese professional baseball after his MLB career ended. His post-retirement years saw both bright moments and some controversy.

Not much is known about his finances, honestly. He’s kept his net worth pretty private.

Transition to Japanese Baseball

Davis signed with the Kintetsu Buffaloes in the Japanese Pacific League for the 1984 season. That decision changed his career in a big way.

He started off strong, batting .310 with 18 home runs in his first season. In 1985, though, he really broke out.

Davis blasted 40 home runs and drove in 109 runs while hitting .343 in 128 games that year. At one point, he tied a league record by homering in six straight games.

In 1986, he kept it going and hit .337. One of his wildest games came on April 28, 1987, when he drove in nine runs.

His Japanese career ended suddenly in 1988. Police raided his apartment and found 14 grams of marijuana along with related items.

After three weeks in custody, the Buffaloes released him, and he returned to the United States. That pretty much ended his pro baseball career.

Personal Life After Retirement

There’s not a lot of public info about Davis’s life after he left pro baseball in 1988. He’s related to former MLB infielder Enos Cabell, which kept some family ties to the sport alive.

Davis went to Compton High School in California and played ball with future MLB players like Odell Jones, Reggie Walton, Gary Ward, and LaRue Washington. That early group probably helped him out during his career changes.

The marijuana incident in Japan stirred up a lot of controversy and likely hurt his chances for coaching or broadcasting jobs. Legal troubles like that can really close doors for former athletes.

Details about what Davis did after 1988—whether he tried coaching, got into business, or focused on family—aren’t really documented anywhere public.

Estimated Net Worth and Public Perception

Nobody really knows Davis’s current net worth. There just aren’t any solid public estimates out there.

He played six seasons in MLB from 1977 to 1982, back when player salaries were honestly pretty modest compared to today. You can’t really compare those numbers to what athletes make now.

When Davis moved to Japan in the mid-1980s, he probably earned a lot more. Foreign players who put up numbers like his usually got paid well.

That 1988 legal incident in Japan probably hurt his chances to earn money after retiring. Most ex-players try coaching, broadcasting, or teaching baseball, but legal trouble tends to close some doors.

Davis hit .265 with 27 home runs and 141 RBIs in his MLB career. In Japan, he did way better, batting .331 with 117 home runs and 322 RBIs.