Mark Davis (baseball)

Infobox MLB retired
name=Mark Davis


position=Pitcher
bats=Left
throws=Left
birthdate=birth date and age|1960|10|19
city-state|Livermore|California
debutdate=September 12
debutyear=by|1980
debutteam=Philadelphia Phillies
finaldate=September 28
finalyear=by|1997
finalteam=Milwaukee Brewers
stat1label=Win-Loss record
stat1value=51-84
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=4.17
stat3label=Saves
stat3value=96
teams=
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|1980-by|1981, by|1993)
* San Francisco Giants (by|1983-by|1987)
* San Diego Padres (by|1987-by|1989, by|1993-by|1994)
* Kansas City Royals (by|1990-by|1992)
* Atlanta Braves (by|1992)
* Milwaukee Brewers (by|1997)
highlights=
* 2x All-Star selection (1988, 1989)
* 1989 NL Cy Young Award
* 1989 NL TSN Pitcher of the Year
* 1989 NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year

Mark William Davis (born October 19, 1960 in Livermore, California) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1980 through 1997, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1980-81, 1993 [start] ), San Francisco Giants (1983-1987 [start] ), San Diego Padres (1987 [end] -1989, 1993 [end] -1994 [start] ), Kansas City Royals (1990-92), Atlanta Braves (1992 [end] ) and Milwaukee Brewers (1997). Davis batted and threw left-handed. He is best known for his years as the Padres' closer. He is currently the pitching coach for the Surprise Royals.

Davis began his career in by|1980 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and spent parts of five seasons with the San Francisco Giants, but did not establish himself as a top reliever until being traded to San Diego during the by|1987 midseason.

In by|1988, Davis became the Padres' closer, earning 28 saves and 44 in by|1989, appearing in the All-Star Game in both seasons. He was a Cy Young Award winner in 1989, becoming only the fourth closer so honored in Award history. No closer would win the NL Cy Young again until Éric Gagné in 2003.

Davis signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals before the by|1990 season. After a brief stint for the Atlanta Braves in by|1992, again he pitched with the Phillies and Padres from by|1993-94. After going out for two years, he returned to pitch until retiring with the Milwaukee Brewers in by|1997. However, he never came close to matching his accomplishments for San Diego, only earning eleven saves over the last eight seasons of his career.

In a 15-season career, Davis posted a 51-84 record with a 4.17 ERA and 96 saves in 624 games pitched.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball saves champions

ources

* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/D/Davis_Mark.stm Baseball Library] - article
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davisma01.shtml Baseball Reference] - statistics and analysis