Alvin “Al” Davis is a native of Wilton, attended Wilton Academy and served in the military during World War II.
Al was a throw-back from the Old Town Team ball players. His knuckleball was the talk of every team he played against. When he was on the mound a bat was of little use to the hitter.
He pitched for the Livermore Tri-Towners when the Timber League was at its best, and also played with the old Wilton Loggers, the Dixfield Dixies, Turner Townies and the Farmington Flyers.
His career spanned some 19 years - 1940-1959 .Al was an All-Star pitcher for most of his career and had the distinction of pitching in the National Amateur Tournament in Battle Creek, Michigan. He won well over 200 games during his career and was no easy out at the plate. He was a hitter as well as an outstanding pitcher.
While in the military Al pitched for Kelly Field and Lubbock Air Force Base. One of the highlights while he was playing service ball was facing the great “Enos Slaughter”. Slaughter is a National Hall of Famer who had a great career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Al had the distinction of striking him out on more than one occasion during a service game.
Al retired from International Paper Co. after 40 years.
He turned to golf after his baseball days and was one of the better golfers at Wilson Lake Country Club. He had a hip replacement a few months ago and is recuperating nicely. He even went to Florida this winter to play golf and at 82 years of age, he is still a handful on the links.
Al lived most of his life in Livermore Falls where he met and married his wife Betty, and raised their family.
His loving wife of 57 years passed away September 1, 1999. He loved the game of baseball and always was willing to shake your hand if you were lucky enough to beat him when he had his “stuff”.
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