R.I.P.~Willie Davis (04/11/1940-03/09/2010)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Willie Davis, a speedy center fielder who collected two World Series rings, three Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star during his 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died. He was 69. "He was beloved by generations of Dodger fans and remains one of the most talented players ever to wear the Dodger uniform. Having spent time with him over the past six years, I know how proud he was to have been a Dodger. He will surely be missed and our sincere thoughts are with his children during this difficult time," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. Davis was found dead Tuesday in his Burbank home, police said, adding that they did not believe foul play was involved. Davis' teammates included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Johnny Roseboro, Junior Gilliam and Maury Wills. He won his World Series rings in 1963 and 1965. "He was the only person I've ever seen score on a fly ball from second base when he did it in Vero Beach. Willie running the bases was one of the best. He was exciting. He was a very proud man and a good man. He was a good ballplayer," Dodgers coach Manny Mota said at spring training in Glendale, Ariz. The Dodgers lost the 1966 World Series 4-0 to the Baltimore Orioles. In Game 2, in the last game of Koufax's pitching career, Davis committed a Fall Classic-record three errors in one inning when he lost one fly ball in the sun, dropped the next one, then overthrew third base. During the 1965 World Series, Davis stole three bases in one inning, including one where he had to crawl into second base after stumbling and falling. Davis left the Dodgers in 1973 and went on to play for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and California Angels. He retired after the 1979 season with a career .279 average and 398 stolen bases. "Willie was always such a young man in my eyes because of how he was able to move so easily. Time gets away from you quickly. You hope you take advantage of it and you hope you appreciate every day you're here. You just hope he's in a better place," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.

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