Alvin Davis says he had some fine teachers and role models in his life and his career, not the least of which was his mom, Mylie.

Alvin gives a heart felt thank you to Ken Griffey, Jr.

Email Alvin your favorite Mr. Mariner memories.

Alvin Davis

Making It Takes A Lot Of Support

Alvin Davis is the first to tell you that no man is an island, especially for someone looking to make it in the major leagues. "I first got the dream to play Major League Baseball when I became a little league all-star. I began to realize, Hey, I'm pretty good at this," said Davis. "But, I had some pretty good teachers and role models. When I was 12 and growing up in Riverside, California, I knew and hung around Dusty Baker and Bobby Bonds."

From Baker and Bonds to Brothers Mike and Mel

Where big leaguers Baker and Bonds could teach Alvin the fundamentals of baseball, it was his older brothers Mike and Mel who helped hone his sweet swing. "We'd play a ton of wiffle-ball," admits Alvin. "Hitting with a wiffle-ball and bat really fine tunes your swing and your hand-eye coordination. If you want to learn to hit, you've got to be able to track a ball."

When Davis was in junior high, he read that when Henry Aaron was a youngster he learned to hit with a broomstick and rocks. "So, everyday I was out in the back hitting rocks into the orange groves," recalls Davis. "Pretty soon I graduated up to an old aluminum bat which I then proceeded to beat up pretty badly."

A Gift From God, Sweat And A Mental Approach

Davis believes the art of getting around on a fastball, or hitting a hard-breaking curve is a blend of both God given ability and a strong work ethic. "I learned to work hard through my high school coach," said Alvin. "He told me that if I wanted to make it I had to take the game seriously. Go out and take 100 swings a day. 100 ground balls a day. That is the only way. Because in the major leagues, God-given talent evens out. A .300 or .400 hitter in high school or college is equalized by a 92 miles per hour fastball in the big leagues."

Alvin also had to begin to play the game mentally. "You have to learn concentration and how to make mental adjustments," said Davis. "You need an edge to play in the big leagues. That edge is always mental. A pitcher and hitter can execute flawlessly for nine innings and still lose the game. But, when you add the mental aspect to the game, that is where it is really won or lost."

A National Title And Feeling Lousy

Alvin, feeling lousy? Doesn't sound like the Mr. Mariner we know, does it? "College was the toughest," admits Davis. "At Arizona State, we had just won a national title and I was playing well, but really felt emotionally and spiritually down. I was empty and didn't have any direction."

"Alvin, I've Chosen You."

After making All PAC 10 and being selected on the All College World Series Team, Alvin began to realize he was being crushed by the weight of his own pressure. "I, like everybody else, have a tendency to take control and it wasn't working," said Davis. "I decided to go home to Riverside and spend some time alone with God. I felt God saying, 'Alvin, I've picked you out. I've chosen you.' And I began to realize that my relationship with Him was out of whack. Jesus Christ was not on the throne. I was trying to assume that role. It was June, 1981, and that day I made some commitments to the Lord. I told Jesus that the biggest desire I had was to play in the major leagues, and if He would give me that, I would serve Him the rest of my life. If not, I would still serve Him the rest of my life."

Staying Focused

His doubts about returning to college or playing professionally were erased. Alvin went back to ASU. "I now had a rudder, a direction. I knew from that day that the only thing that mattered was that when I played, I was to be the best Christian ballplayer I could be. I was to honor God," said Davis looking back. "There was never a day I didn't fail, but I tried to stay focused and not become distracted by ego and wealth."