A San Francisco Giants Original, Jim Davenport, Dies At 82
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Jim Davenport, one of the original San Francisco Giants who played his entire career with the team, has passed away at the age of 82.
The Giants said Davenport, a San Mateo resident, had been in ill health and died Thursday night in Redwood City of heart failure.
The Alabama native was the Opening Day starter at 3rd base in 1958, the first year of the franchise's rebirth in San Francisco following the move from New York.
He was an All-Star in 1962, and played in 1962 World Series, with the Giants losing to the New York Yankees four games to three. Daveport also won a Gold Glove award that year.
Davenport retired in 1970 having played 13 years for the Giants. After coaching for a number of seasons, Davenport was hired as the Giants manager in 1985. The team did not fare well, and after compiling a 56-88 record he was replaced by Roger Craig. That season turned out to be the worst in franchise history, with the team losing 100 games.
Davenport had coaching stints over the years with the San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers and eventually returned to the Giants as a first-base coach in 1996. He's held a number of roles with the team including the front office, spending some five decades working for the franchise.
"The passing of Jim Davenport brings great sadness to our organization," said Giants President and CEO Larry Baer in a statement. "Jim had a wonderful spirit and was a great Giant. We will always remember Davvy. We express our deepest condolences to his family and will have them in our thoughts and prayers."
Davenport is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter Cathy, and sons Randy, Ken, Don and Gary.
