Longtime Giant Great Jim Davenport Passes Away

February 19, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
San Jose Giants News Release

Jim Davenport, Gary Davenport and Joe Amalfitano
(San Jose Giants, Credit: Barry Colla)

San Jose, CA - The San Jose Giants mourn the passing of Giant great Jim Davenport today. Davenport passed away at age 82 Thursday night due to heart failure.

Davenport, a beloved and very familiar face at Municipal Stadium, spent 51 years in the Giants organization. After a 13-year Major League career from 1958-1970 with San Francisco, Jim remained in the system and eventually served as San Jose's hitting coach from 1993-1995. Jim's son, Gary, also had two stints as San Jose's hitting coach, first in 2005 and then for five years from 2008-2012.

Jim remained a consistent face to San Jose Giants players and staff in recent years. In 2013, Jim was named an honorary manager at the California-Carolina League All-Star Game hosted by the San Jose Giants. As a Player Development Special Assistant, Jim also spent the last decade instructing various San Jose Giants players at Municipal Stadium.

"We lost an incredible Giant, coach and, most importantly, friend," said Mark Wilson, San Jose Giants Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. "Any time that Jim spent in San Jose was always memorable. He had a way of lighting up a room like no one I've seen. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."

Davenport is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter Cathy, sons Randy, Ken, Don and Gary.

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Jim Davenport, Gary Davenport and Joe Amalfitano
(Barry Colla)

California League Stories from February 19, 2016

Longtime Giant Great Jim Davenport Passes Away - San Jose Giants

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