Ted Davidson
Ted Davidson | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Las Vegas, Nevada | October 4, 1939|
Died: September 1, 2006 Bullhead City, Arizona | (aged 66)|
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
July 24, 1965, for the Cincinnati Reds | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 28, 1968, for the Atlanta Braves | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 11–7 |
Earned run average | 3.69 |
Innings pitched | 1951⁄3 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Thomas Eugene Davidson (October 4, 1939 – September 1, 2006) was an American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed relief pitcher who appeared in Major League Baseball pitcher from 1965 to 1968 for the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves. He was called "Ted" after the initials of his first, middle, and last names.[1]
After attending Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, he was signed by the Reds as an amateur free agent in 1960 and made his Major League debut at age 25 on July 24, 1965. In a 4–2 Reds loss to the Houston Astros at the Astrodome, Davidson relieved Reds pitcher Jim Duffalo with two outs and immediately induced Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to ground into a double play. In his first game, Davidson pitched 22⁄3 innings, giving up no runs and striking out four batters.[2][3]
Apart from one start during his rookie 1965 season, Davidson was used as a left-handed relief specialist.
After a solid 1966 season, Davidson nearly lost his life in March 1967 after his estranged wife confronted him in a bar and shot him three times with a small-caliber pistol, once in the left abdomen and twice in the right chest.[4] At the time, it was reported that Davidson's wife was to be charged with assault to commit murder.[5] However, the charge was dismissed when Ted Davidson failed to appear in court on two occasions, the last time being April 25, 1967 (at which time both Mary Ruth Davidson and her attorney did appear).[6] Davidson recovered from his wounds and was back playing by June of the same year but his effectiveness was not the same as it was prior to the shooting.
In 34 career plate appearances, Davidson failed to register a hit, striking out 19 times.
He died at age 66 on September 1, 2006 in Bullhead City, Arizona.[2]
References
- ^ Spink, C.C. Johnson, ed., The 1965 Official Baseball Register. St. Louis: The Sporting News, 1965, p. 210
- ^ a b "Ted Davidson Statistics and History". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "Jul 24, 1965, Reds at Astros Play by Play and Box Score". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. July 24, 1965. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ Brotz, Kevin (May 3, 2010). "The Great 1965 Topps Project: #243 Reds Rookie Stars: Ted Davidson and Tommy Helms". 1965topps.blogspot.com. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- ^ "Ted Davidson Leaves Hospital". St. Petersburg, FL: St. Petersburg Times. United Press International (UPI). March 24, 1967. p. 3-C. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
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(help) - ^ "Davidson Charge Dismissed In Tampa". St. Petersburg, FL: St. Petersburg Times. April 26, 1967. p. 3-C. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
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External links
- Career statistics from MLB, or Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors) or Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
- Retrosheet
- 1939 births
- 2006 deaths
- Allan Hancock Bulldogs baseball players
- Allan Hancock College alumni
- Atlanta Braves players
- Baseball players from Nevada
- Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
- Cincinnati Reds players
- Columbia Reds players
- Industriales de Valencia players
- Leones del Caracas players
- Macon Peaches players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Palatka Redlegs players
- Portland Beavers players
- Richmond Braves players
- San Diego Padres (minor league) players
- Sportspeople from Las Vegas, Nevada
- Tacoma Cubs players
- Topeka Reds players
- Tucson Toros players
- People from Bullhead City, Arizona