1942 – 1950 Piper Davis

No narrative about the Negro Leagues in Birmingham is complete without lauding the exploits of Lorenzo “Piper” Davis, player and manager for the Birmingham Black Barons. Piper played for the Birmingham Black Baron’s from 1942 – 1948 and was noted as a an all-around great player. He could play shortstop, first base, second base, and outfield with ease and was also a homerun hitting machine. Piper was named the player-manager in 1948 and when on to mentor and manage a very young Willie Mays.