Dave Davenport
From BR Bullpen
David W. Davenport
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 6", Weight 220 lb.
- Debut April 17, 1914
- Final Game September 1, 1919
- Born February 20, 1890 in De Ridder, LA USA
- Died October 16, 1954 in El Dorado, AR USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Davenport was suspended late in the 1919 season by Browns business manager Bob Quinn for failing to report to manager Jimmy Burke for a game vs. Cleveland in St. Louis. Davenport missed the Sept. 2 game - when he was scheduled to start - and then didn't show up the morning of Sept. 3 either.
When Davenport realized he had been suspended without pay for the rest of the season, he returned to the Browns' clubhouse - but it was too late. Quinn told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he suspected Davenport had been drinking.
The Browns were leaving town and held up their train. Davenport asked to speak with Quinn, who was wary that the pitcher was going to stir up some trouble. Quinn grabbed a bat for protection and eventually called a policeman to take Davenport away. Davenport claimed he choked Quinn, although Quinn denied Davenport ever laid hands on him.
Quinn also said that if Davenport was on the team next season, Quinn wouldn't be there. The suspension stayed in effect and Davenport never pitched in the majors again, although the Browns did sell him to the Washington Senators in February of 1920.
Davenport holds the post-1900 record for most at-bats in a season in which the player hit .100 or worse. In 1915, he hit only .092 in 130 at-bats. Overall, he was a very futile hitter, and sub-.100 averages were the almost norm for him. In 1914, he hit .093 in 86 at-bats. In 1917, he hit .098 in 92 at-bats and in 1919 he hit .077 in 39 at-bats.
