Dodgers: Ranking the Top 5 centerfielders in franchise history

2. Best Dodgers centerfielders: Willie Davis

Willie Davis is another often overlooked Dodger. Most people might not guess that he’s the Los Angeles Dodger leader in total bases, triples, extra base hits, runs, and hits.

Davis was signed out of high school in 1958. Scouts were enamored with his speed, as he was said to have run a 9.5 second 100-yard dash and scored from first on a single nine times in one season. It only took two years for the LA native to reach the majors, and he was the regular centerfielder by 1961, a title he wouldn’t relinquish until 1974.

Davis was considered one of baseball’s premier leadoff men in the 60’s and 70’s. He stole 20 or more bases in a season 13 times, with a career high 42 in 1964. The Willie Davis-Maury Wills speed combo at the top of the Dodger lineup was second to none in the early 60’s, as they propelled the team to World Series titles in 1963 and 1965. The speedy duo combined for a National League record 136 steals in 1962.

Davis wasn’t a one trick pony though. Although he didn’t walk all that much, he hit over .300 on four occasions, had a 20/20 season, and holds the record for longest hitting streak by a Dodger at 31 games. Davis also hit as many as 16 triples in a season, and his 138 career triples are the fourth most by any player since 1945. He was also considered to be a superb defensive centerfielder, winning three Gold Glove awards.

Over his 14 year Dodger tenure, Davis compiled 2,091 hits, a .279 average, 321 doubles, 154 homers, and 335 steals. He was also named to two All-Star teams, and was a part of two World Series championship squads.