Russ Davis - 2003

Russ Davis began receiving accolades for his talented play at Hueytown high School, where he earned MVP and All-County Honors his senior year.  After graduation he enrolled at Shelton State Community College.  The year was 1988. 

In his year at Shelton State, Davis led the team to a runner-up finish in the AJCCC Tournament, a 35-7 overall record and a 20-0 Division record.  He also set a Shelton State single-season homerun record (14) which still stands.  He batted .347 for the season with 46 RBI?s.  He was selected to the AJCCC All-Conference Team. 

After only one year in the junior college ranks, Davis was drafted in the 29^th round and assigned to the New York Yankee?s farm club system.  In the minors, he hit 22, 26, and 25 homeruns during the years of 1992-94 and made a name for himself as a power-hitting third baseman.  In 1994, he was called up as a defensive replacement for Don Matingly.  On May 23 of 1995, Davis broke up Chuck Finley?s perfect game with a lead off triple in the last inning.  Later that year, Davis hit his last major league homerun off Detroit pitcher, David Wells. 

The off-season that followed found Davis involved in a trade to the Seattle Mariners.  An early injury cut a promising 1996 season short, but not before some opening night heroics by Davis.  A late inning double by the Junior College alumnus drove in the tying runs that would cap the biggest comeback in Mariner history.  In 1997, Davis continued his opening day brilliance by hitting a homeruns off his former team, the New York Yankees.  That hit began a 13-gaem hitting streak.  1998 was a career year for a player then in his prime.  He posted career bests in four categories, including: games (144), runs (68), doubles (30), and he nearly eclipsed his career total for RBI?s (94) with 82 on the season.  He also showed extra power at the plate with three two-homerun games on his way to 20 for the season.  His offensive burst led the Sporting News to name Davis the Top AL West 3^rd baseman in its post-season wrap-up. 

Davis continued to excel at the plate in 1999, setting a career high for homeruns with 21.  He also began the season with an eight-game hitting streak, and had another two-homerun game, the fifth of his career.  Additionally, he also holds the distinction as the very first player to hit a homerun at Seattle?s SAFECO field.  Although his offensive stats were impressive, he also showed stellar abilities in the field.  Davis only committed 12 errors in 124 games, giving him a .959 fielding percentage and placing him third among American League third baseman. 

Davis was traded in 2000 to the San Francisco Giants.  In 2001, the distance from his family and other personal matter convinced Russ Davis to retire.  He took up residence in Birmingham with his wife, Adryne, and their children. 

Shelton State Community College and the Alabama Junior and Community College Conference are proud to have been a stepping stone in the success of the major leaguer.