Ron Davis

Ronald Gene Davis (born August 6, 1955) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played 11 years from 1978 to 1988. Davis played for the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins of the American League and the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants of the National League. He was selected to the American League All-Star team in 1981. Life and career Davis was born in Houston, Texas. Standing 6' 4", he was a hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher. During his career he appeared in 481 games all in relief, and recorded 130 saves. Originally drafted by the Chicago Cubs, he was traded while still in the minor leagues to the New York Yankees in 1978. While in New York he was used as the team's closer after an injury to All-Star relief pitcher Rich Gossage from a fight with teammate Cliff Johnson. Also, while with the Yankees, he was one of the first pitchers ever to be used exclusively as a middle-inning "set-up" pitcher for his team's closer. For two seasons, 1980 and 1981, Davis and Gossage were an effective tandem, and many teams have followed this pitching formula to this day. Davis still holds the Yankee team record for most consecutive strikeouts in a single game with eight, recorded on May 4, 1981, against the California Angels. This accomplishment also gives him the team record for most strikeouts by a relief pitcher in a single game. The record was tied by Michael King on April 22, 2022, when he struck out 8 of 9 batters in relief.