28 Facts About Vic Davalillo

Victor Jose Davalillo Romero was born on July 30,1936 and is a Venezuelan former professional baseball outfielder.

Vic Davalillo played for 30 years in the US, Mexico, and his homeland, compiling more than 4,100 base hits total.

Vic Davalillo, who batted and threw left-handed, was a leadoff hitter known for his speedy baserunning and capable defense.

Vic Davalillo was a fan favorite during his years with the Indians, and became a valuable utility player later in his career.

Vic Davalillo had an exceptional career in the Venezuelan Winter League, where he is the all-time leader in total base hits and career batting average.

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Vic Davalillo's family moved to Cabimas a few days after he was born.

Vic Davalillo grew up in the Costa Oriental region on Lake Maracaibo.

Vic Davalillo signed a contract as an amateur free agent with the Cincinnati Reds in 1958.

Vic Davalillo was sold to the Indians organisation in 1961 and moved up the ladder to Jacksonville, their Triple-A club in the International League.

Vic Davalillo became the eighth Venezuelan to play in Major League Baseball when he joined the Indians in 1963 as their leadoff hitter and center fielder.

The following season, Vic Davalillo finished second in the league in fielding percentage among center fielders and was named as a recipient of the 1964 American League Gold Glove Award.

Vic Davalillo was the first left-handed throwing outfielder to win a Gold Glove.

Vic Davalillo had an off year in 1966, and the Indians began to use him in a platoon role, playing him when they faced right-handed pitchers.

In January 1969, Vic Davalillo suffered a nervous breakdown while he was in Venezuela to play in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Vic Davalillo made two appearances as a relief pitcher for the Cardinals in 1969 but failed to retire any batters.

Vic Davalillo 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.

Vic Davalillo became a utility player and highly effective pinch hitter with the Cardinals in 1970.

Vic Davalillo was originally credited with 24 pinch hits in 1970, which broke the National League record set by Sam Leslie and tied by Red Schoendienst.

Vic Davalillo ostensibly tied the major-league single-season mark, set by Dave Philley in 1961.

The total was corrected to 23, but while Vic Davalillo was still credited with holding it, it was broken in 1976 by Jose Morales.

Vic Davalillo continued in his role as a utility player, facing mostly right-handed pitchers and playing all three outfield positions and as a first baseman.

Vic Davalillo played in six of the seven games, starting twice in center field and going 1-for-11 altogether.

Vic Davalillo thus became the first major-leaguer to play for three different teams in the League Championship Series.

Vic Davalillo is remembered for his clutch pinch-hitting performance against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the 1977 National League Championship Series.

Vic 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.

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Vic Davalillo played in 40 final games in the Mexican League in 1981.

Vic Davalillo kept playing in the Venezuelan Winter League until the age of 50.

In 2003, Vic Davalillo was selected to the inaugural class of the Venezuelan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.