This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw Willie Davis reach 2,000 career hits on June 19, 1973. He accomplished the feat at Dodger Stadium with a two-run home run off Hall of Famer Phil Niekro in the Dodgers’ 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Davis spent the first 14 years of his career with the Dodgers, and played 18 overall. In addition to L.A., he played for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and California Angels.
Davis finished with 2,561 career hits, of which 2,091 came with the Dodgers. Only Zack Wheat (2,804) and Pee Wee Reese (2,170) have more hits in Dodgers franchise history than Davis.
During his 14 years in L.A., Davis won two World Series, was a two-time All-Star and won three Gold Glove Awards. He holds the Los Angeles franchise record for most hits and once had a 31-game hitting streak.
Davis was signed by the Dodgers after graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1958.
Since Davis’ milestone, only Gary Carter (July 5, 1991), Brett Butler (May 16, 1994), Tim Wallach (Sept. 24, 1995), Jeff Kent (July 8, 2005) and Adrián González (Aug. 22, 2017) have reached 2,000 career hits while playing for the Dodgers.
Erskine etches name in Dodgers history
Also on this day in Dodgers history — but during the 1952 season and while playing for Brooklyn — Carl Erskine threw the first of two career no-hitters.
Although it was well before the strategy became described as such, Erskine largely pitched to contact as he finished with just one strikeout in the history-making start at Ebbets Field. That also held true in his second career no-hitter, when Erskine had three strikeouts against the New York Giants on May 12, 1956.
Erskine has the eighth and ninth no-hitters thrown in Dodgers franchise history.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
