Throwback Thursday: Mr. Mariner Alvin Davis

Alvin Davis may have been a Seattle Mariner for only eight years, but his impression on the city left him the nickname of highest honors. “Mr. Mariner” was his name, and setting team records was his game.

Many Mariners fans don’t remember the glorious 80’s, and probably for good reason. But Alvin Davis was the face of the franchise during its ‘first decade’ in the league, and he still stands as one of the best players to wear a Mariners jersey.

Davis may not have played in the most memorable of years, but he did set nearly every offensive team record. It’s amazing to see the current team all time totals now that we have watched Ken Griffey Jr and Ichiro Suzuki for the past 2 decades, but Davis numbers were very impressive during our inaugural days.

Davis held the team record for most Home Runs with 160, scored the most runs at 667, had 212 doubles, slapped 1163 hits, and played 1166 games as a Seattle Mariner. Honestly, if it wasn’t for guys like Junior, Edgar Martinez, and Alex Rodriguez; Davis may still own some records to this day.

The Seattle Mariners knew they had something special with Davis the instant he joined the big league club in 1984. Davis finished his first season in the big leagues with a .284 BA, 27 HR, and 116 RBI. All this at the ripe young age of 24 years old. Davis was selected to play in the All-Star Game that year, and finished the season winning the AL Rookie of the Year.

Alvin Davis played his final season in the MLB in 1992 with the then California Angels. Eventually the Angels cut Davis after only 40 games; so he took his talents and monster mustache to Japan to play his final days in a Kintetsu Buffaloes uniform.

Davis became the inaugural member of the Mariners Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 1997. It was only fitting that he start this trend of Mariner legends, considering he is “Mr. Mariner.” His career numbers may not be Cooperstown eligible, but Davis will always be a legend in the city of Seattle.

It’s kind of corny, but check out the video tribute and accompanying song dedicated to Davis and Harold Reynolds.