Glenn Davis got help, went from tough youth to ML star
After becoming a bona fide major league star by 1990, the Astros' Glenn Davis looked beyond his work as a baseball player and toward what he could do off the field, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
He turned to kids, specifically building a home for underprivileged children in Columbus, Georgia, where he'd once played in the minors, having had a rough upbringing himself, The Star-Telegram wrote.
"When I was younger, a lot of people held out their hand and helped," Davis told the Star-Telegram. "Where would I be without that? I don't know."
Where he ended up was in a major league career that spanned a decade, slowed at the end by injury. Along the way, he hit 30 or more home runs three times and made the all-star team twice.
Davis' career began in 1981, taken by the Astros in the first round of the January draft-secondary phase out of State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.
Davis started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He made single-A Daytona Beach and briefly AA Columbus in 1982. He played 1983 mostly at Columbus and saw 15 games at AAA Tucson.
Davis debuted in Houston in 1984, getting into 18 games. That September, he credited his faith with getting him that far, The Associated Press wrote.
"I've been able to relax and have patience since I've found the Lord three years ago," Davis told The AP. "Now I'm peaceful, patient, and happy."
Davis returned to Houston for 1985 and saw 100 games. He also hit 20 home runs. In 1986, he helped Houston to the NLCS as he hit 31 home runs in 158 games and made the all-star team.
In Game 1 of the NLCS, a Davis home run proved the difference in a 1-0 Astros win.
"We were glad to have Glenn Davis on our side," teammate Billy Hatcher told The Mount Vernon Argus afterward. "His big bat came through again. He hit a home run, then saved a run in the ninth inning. That's what this team is made of."
Davis then continued to be a regular with the Astros through 1989. He saw more than 150 games no fewer than 27 home runs each season. He also made the 1989 all-star team.
For 1990, he saw 93 games and hit .251, with 22 home runs. He also saw 12 games in Columbus on injury rehab.
Then he got traded to Baltimore and the larger injuries began. A neck injury limited his 1991. Other injuries limited 1992 and 1993. He hit just 24 home runs over his three seasons in Baltimore.
Davis played 1994 with the Royals at AAA Omaha, then 1995 and 1996 in Japan with Hanshin. He ended his career in 1996 with independent St. Paul.
Davis has since settled into his adoptive hometown of Columbus, Georgia. His home for foster children, Carpenters Way Ranch, continues in 2025.He's also gone into local politics, becoming a longtime City Councilor, a seat he continues to hold.
- Galveston News, Sept. 16, 1984: Astros cool Padres
- Mount Vernon Argus, Oct. 9, 1984: It was no crush, but it was enough
- Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 20, 1990: Davis
Made the Majors:1,436-31.5%-X
Never Made Majors:3,115-68.5%
