Seattle's first inductee into the Mariners Hall of Fame, addresses a packed Kingdome on June 14, 1997.

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Alvin Davis

June 14, 1997

The Kingdome Seattle, WA

On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to express my deepest thanks to all of you here today - to Mr. Ellis, to Chuck, the Mariners' organization. To all my friends, to the fans, I thank you, this would not have happened if it wasn't for you.

I'd like to thank my teammates, represented today by Dave and Brian - there's so many guys that come to mind and I just want you to pardon me if I leave out any names, I don't want to embarrass or hurt anyone's feelings, but it's hard to remember so many people over eight years. I remember Harold, Jim Presley, "Hendu", Dave Henderson; Mike Moore, Mark Langston, Matt Young, the "Zinger", Mike Kingery; "the hack man", Jeffrey Leonard; the current Mariners players, Rich Amaral, Edgar, "Senor Linea"; Jay Buhner, Randy Johnson, my buddy, Junior - "June bug". I thank you teammates because I would not have been the player or the person I am if it wasn't for you. I thank you guys for being there for me-being out of the game now, that's what I miss the most, being with you guys. I appreciate it.

I'd like to thank my family, starting with my mom. Happy Birthday Mom, first of all. She's a lady in every sense of the word, she's been there every day for me, every day of my life, especially since my dad passed on, and most of all, she is the Godliest person I know. Thank you, Mom.

To my wife, Kim, who's been with me every step of the way. She's been there, she's been my rock, my foundation. I say thank you, honey.

To my three kids who were here when they were small, but have returned to see what it's like to be in the big leagues. Thanks, kids.

And last, but certainly not least, I have to say thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know in sports, a lot of times as fans, you hear players say that a lot, especially at overwhelming times like this, but I'd like to tell you my personal story of what it means to me. I remember one June day in 1982, actually it was 1981, I had been drafted and was at a real, real low point in my career and in my life. I remember getting away for awhile to think about what was going to happen for me in the future, and coming away from that time alone, was a real sense that I wanted the Lord to be in charge of my life....and making that dedication and that promise on that day, has resulted in this day. There's a verse in the Bible, it's in Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 5 and 6, it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." I thank God for directing my path to Seattle and to bring me here on this day. This honor is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received in my life.

On behalf of my family and my friends, to the Mariners' organization, once again, I say thank you. God bless you all.