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

Mike Davis isn’t exactly a household name, at least not for most casual baseball fans. Still, his decade in the big leagues left a mark you can’t ignore. Michael Dwayne Davis spent 10 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1989, splitting his career between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers before he called it quits at the end of the 1989 season. The right fielder from San Diego put up a solid .259 batting average, hit 91 home runs, and drove in 371 runs in 963 games.

Now, Davis’s stats tell you one thing, but his most unforgettable moments came during the 1988 World Series. He played a key role in one of baseball’s most iconic home runs. His gutsy walk and stolen base set up Kirk Gibson’s legendary walk-off in Game 1—a moment that still gives people chills. Later, Davis himself smashed a two-run homer in Game 5 to help clinch the series.

From being a third-round draft pick by Oakland to wrapping up his career with the Dodgers, Davis’s path through pro baseball gives you a window into the life of a solid major league player who, somehow, found himself smack in the middle of World Series history. It’s a story about switching teams, battling injuries, and figuring out when it’s time to walk away from the game that shaped his whole adult life.

Early Life and Background

Michael Dwayne Davis was born June 11, 1959, in San Diego, California. He grew up loving baseball and spent his early years playing the game as much as possible.

His journey from Herbert Hoover High School to the big leagues started when the Oakland Athletics picked him in the third round of the 1977 draft.

Childhood in San Diego

Mike Davis spent his childhood in San Diego during the 1960s and 1970s. The city’s warm weather and baseball culture made it a great place for young athletes to play and improve year-round.

He came from a baseball family. His brothers, Mark Davis and Johnnie Davis, also chased baseball careers. That family connection probably nudged him toward the sport early on.

San Diego produced plenty of baseball talent in those days. Davis had access to competitive youth leagues and coaches who helped him build his skills.

High School and Amateur Baseball

Davis went to Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego. During those years, he sharpened the abilities that would eventually catch the eye of pro scouts.

As a high school player, Davis stood out as an outfielder. His strong arm and athleticism made him a tough opponent. Those traits would define his pro career later on.

High school baseball in San Diego didn’t mess around. Davis faced off against other future pros, which no doubt helped him get ready for the grind of pro ball.

Draft and Path to Major League Baseball

The Oakland Athletics picked Davis in the third round of the 1977 Major League Baseball draft. Scout Phil Pote signed him to his first contract.

At just 18, Davis jumped into the Athletics’ minor league system. That early start gave him time to polish his game before getting to the majors.

Davis spent three years working his way through Oakland’s farm system. He focused on his hitting and defense, and that dedication paid off when he debuted in the bigs in 1980.

Oakland Athletics Career (1980–1987)

Mike Davis spent most of his career with the Oakland Athletics, playing eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. Over that time, he grew from a rookie into one of the team’s most reliable outfielders.

He had his best years in Oakland, putting up strong numbers and becoming a key part of the club.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Michael Dwayne Davis made his MLB debut on April 10, 1980, at just 20 years old. The Oakland Athletics had drafted him in the third round, 69th overall, from Herbert Hoover High School.

His rookie season was rough, as you might expect. Davis played in 51 games, hit .211, and managed just one home run and eight RBIs. Baseball Almanac says he had 95 at-bats and collected 20 hits.

The 1981 season didn’t go any better. Davis played only 17 games and batted a bleak .050. That tough stretch really tested his determination.

Breakout Seasons and Notable Achievements

Things turned around in 1982. Davis hit .400 in 23 games, which, while a small sample, showed what he could do.

By 1983, he’d earned a regular spot. Davis played 128 games, hit .275, and knocked out 8 home runs with 62 RBIs. He also stole 32 bases, showing off his speed.

1985 was Davis’s career year. He played 154 games and set personal bests in several categories:

• 24 home runs
• 82 RBIs
• .287 batting average
• 92 runs scored

That season locked him in as the starting right fielder and one of Oakland’s top hitters.

Statistical Highlights with Oakland Athletics

Over eight seasons in Oakland, Davis put up numbers that proved his steady production. He appeared in 788 games, racked up 2,797 plate appearances, and kept a .267 average.

Key stats with Oakland:

• Home runs: 84
• RBIs: 335
• Stolen bases: 121
• Hits: 680
• Runs scored: 369

He really shined during the mid-1980s, hitting at least 19 home runs three seasons in a row (1985–1987). In 1986, he hit 19 homers with 55 RBIs, and in 1987, he had 22 home runs and 72 RBIs.

Davis’s speed was always an asset. He averaged over 15 steals a year during his best seasons, topping out at 32 in 1983.

Transition to Los Angeles Dodgers

After eight years in Oakland, Mike Davis took a big step and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers before the 1988 season. That move brought both new possibilities and some unexpected bumps as he tried to fit into a new team and league.

Free Agent Signing

The Dodgers signed Davis as a free agent before the 1988 season, giving him a two-year deal worth almost $2 million. The Dodgers just barely beat out the Yankees’ offer, landing a veteran outfielder with a proven track record.

Davis brought some legit numbers to L.A. In his last three years with Oakland, he put up a .274/.328/.469 slash line and hit 65 home runs. Not bad, especially considering he played in the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum.

The Dodgers wanted his experience and power in the lineup. They expected Davis to be the everyday right fielder and a steady offensive presence. Based on his Oakland performance, he looked like a solid addition for a team hoping to contend.

Adjustments and Challenges in National League

Davis ran into trouble adjusting to life with the Dodgers. The switch to the National League and a new team proved tougher than he probably expected.

He started 1988 as the regular right fielder but couldn’t get it going at the plate. His numbers tanked compared to his Oakland days—just .196/.260/.270 and a rough 54 OPS+ for the season. He managed only two home runs and 15 extra-base hits.

That long slump cost him his starting spot. By the end of the year, he’d started only 63 games—way less than the Dodgers had in mind. Still, despite the struggles, Davis would come up big when it mattered most in the World Series.

1988 Season and World Series Impact

Mike Davis had his worst season in 1988, but he played a huge part in the Dodgers’ World Series win. His regular season numbers were ugly, but in October, he delivered when the spotlight was brightest.

Regular Season Performance

Davis started 1988 as the Dodgers’ right fielder after signing a two-year, nearly $2 million contract. The deal just edged out an offer from the Yankees.

His hitting fell off a cliff. Davis finished with a .196/.260/.270 line and a 54 OPS+. He had only 15 extra-base hits and just two home runs in 63 starts.

Key 1988 stats:

• Batting Average: .196
• On-Base Percentage: .260
• Slugging Percentage: .270
• Games Started: 63
• Home Runs: 2

A long slump pushed him out of the everyday lineup. His best stretch came in May, when he hit .476/.500/.619 over four games. On May 8, he went 4-for-6 with a double, a triple, and three RBIs in a 12-6 win over the Cardinals.

Pivotal Role in the 1988 World Series

Davis played in four World Series games against his old team, the Oakland Athletics. He started the last three games and hit .143/.455/.571 for the series.

His biggest moment came in Game 1. With the Dodgers down 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Davis pinch-hit for Alfredo Griffin and faced Dennis Eckersley, who’d racked up 45 saves that year.

In Game 4, Davis reached base twice on errors during rallies. His best offensive moment came in Game 5, when he launched a two-run homer off Storm Davis in the third inning, putting the Dodgers up 4-1 for good.

Stolen Base and Kirk Gibson’s Walk-Off Home Run

Davis fouled off a pitch from Eckersley, then worked a crucial walk. As he told the Los Angeles Times, “And all I did was walk.”

That walk changed everything. Dave Anderson, who was on deck, got called back. Manager Tommy Lasorda sent Kirk Gibson up to pinch-hit instead.

Davis stole second, putting himself in scoring position as the tying run. Gibson followed with his famous walk-off home run—one of the wildest moments in World Series history.

Davis’s patience at the plate made Gibson’s heroics possible. Without that walk, Gibson probably never gets his shot.

Final Playing Years and Retirement in 1989

Mike Davis wrapped up his ten-year MLB career with the Dodgers in 1989. He appeared in 67 games that season, bringing his journey—which started with the A’s in 1980—to a close.

1989 Season Performance

Davis spent his final year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1989. He played in 67 games, splitting time between home and away.

At home, Davis really played better. He got into 36 home games, had 88 at-bats, and picked up 24 hits for a .272 average. He hit 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 home runs, driving in 12 runs and scoring 13 times.

On the road, it was a different story. In 31 away games, he had 85 at-bats and managed 19 hits, batting .223. He added 5 doubles and 3 home runs on the road, with 7 RBIs and 8 runs scored.

Davis drew 16 walks and struck out 28 times that season. He had 2 sacrifice flies but didn’t lay down any bunts. His slugging percentage was almost identical at home (.386) and on the road (.388).

Retirement from Major League Baseball

Mike Davis wrapped up his Major League Baseball career after the 1989 season. He played for exactly 10 years, starting in 1980 and finishing in 1989.

Davis spent most of those years with the Oakland Athletics from 1980 to 1987. Before the 1988 season, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent and finished his last two years in Los Angeles.

He retired as a right fielder at age 30. Born on June 11, 1959, in San Diego, California, Davis started his professional journey when the Athletics picked him in the 3rd round of the 1977 amateur draft.

Over his decade in the majors, Davis played for just two franchises. According to Baseball Almanac, even in his last season, he managed to contribute on the field.

Legacy and Post-Retirement Life

Mike Davis stepped away from baseball in 1989 after ten years that included some unforgettable moments. That crucial walk before Kirk Gibson’s legendary World Series home run? Yeah, that was Davis. After retiring, he shifted into coaching and mentoring, keeping his ties to the baseball world alive.

Contribution to Baseball History

People still talk about Davis’s most famous moment—Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. He patiently worked a walk against Dennis Eckersley, the A’s closer, which set up Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run.

That at-bat turned into one of the most iconic scenes in World Series history. Davis’s discipline at the plate gave Gibson a chance for his legendary blast. Even now, you’ll see that sequence pop up during World Series highlight reels.

Davis did more than just that, though. Throughout his career, he provided solid defense in right field. His strong arm and range helped both the Athletics and Dodgers.

In 1985, Davis really showed off his offensive skills with Oakland. He hit 24 home runs, drove in 82 runs, and batted .287. That season proved he could deliver power at the plate when it counted.

Coaching and Mentoring Roles

After hanging up his cleats, Davis stayed close to the game. He jumped into coaching and spent time working with young players, helping them develop their skills.

He leaned on his major league experience to guide up-and-coming athletes. Ten seasons in MLB gave him plenty of lessons to share with the next generation.

Davis focused a lot on outfield defense and hitting fundamentals. He passed along what he learned during his years with the Athletics and Dodgers.

Moving from player to mentor let Davis keep his connection to baseball. He found real satisfaction in helping others chase their baseball dreams, sharing stories and advice from his own career.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

Davis kept close to his San Diego roots after he retired. He was born in San Diego on June 11, 1959, and went to Herbert Hoover High School before jumping into his professional career.

Baseball really ran in his family. His brothers, Mark Davis and Johnnie Davis, also played professionally. His nephew Nick Davis and cousin Dave Grayson, who played in the NFL, added to the family’s athletic reputation. You can check out more about their story here.

After hanging up his cleats, Davis got involved in San Diego’s local baseball scene. He pitched in with youth organizations, hoping to get more kids excited about playing baseball.

You won’t find his entire legacy in the stats on Baseball Almanac. Davis made a real difference in baseball history, and his work with young players still shapes the sport today.