From the Mound at Yankee Stadium to Otsego Park

The New York Yankees finished 1955 with a record of 96-58, winning their 21st pennant. They lost the World Series to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 7 games.

That year, New York was managed by Casey Stengel and had a lot of very familiar names on their roster: Yogi Berra, Micky Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Whitey Ford, Don Larsen and Billy Martin, just to name a handful.

One name you might not recognize belonged to a 19-year-old boy who had just started his minor league career with the Yankees in 1955: John Davolio. Davolio played in the minors for the Yankees organization until 1962, his last year, when, at age 27, he was with the AAA Richmond Virginians.

In spring training, in "St. Pete's," the 6'5" 200-lb. pitcher got to work out and play ball with the major league team. Was he in awe of any of the players?

"When you are there with them, you can't be impressed or intimidated by them," Davolio said. "You have to think you are as good as they are." One player he wanted to learn from was fellow pitcher, Sal "The Barber" Maglie, he said, who was close to retirement when Davolio met him.

"I asked him how he did it, how he managed to still be pitching, even though he was about 40 then. 'Hard work,' was all he would say."

Davolio never made it to the majors though.

"They didn't want to up my contract," Davolio said, "And they owned me. They wouldn't let anyone else buy my contract. That's just the way it was back then."

He added, "There were only 16 major league teams back then—8 American League and 8 National League teams, and I got 13 offers. But the Yankees wouldn't let me go. But I'm not knocking them. That was the way it was."

Davolio said that back then, "Guys in suits came into the locker room and offered you contracts." But Davolio gave up his Yankees contract to go to college—Manhattan College—to get his degree in civil engineering.

He got a job with Bethlehem Steel. "I was down in the mines, in the mills, and up in the skyscrapers and on the bridges." And then they wanted him to go back to New York. He had grown up in a house in the Bronx, so he wanted to get a house on Long Island for his growing family, and that was when he discovered Dix Hills.

"It was 1966, and my street was just a dirt road, and the school district was good back then too."

He had two sons, John and James. Both boys played Little League and Davolio managed their teams. John was a catcher who threw lefty and batted righty, and Joe was a first baseman who threw righty and batted lefty. Davolio threw and batted lefty. Neither of his sons played pro ball or went to college on a scholarship, but that was fine by Davolio.

His younger son still lives nearby in Dix Hills and has a son and daughter, Joe and Julia, of his own. Davolio's grandson is a seventh grader at West Hollow Middle School now and is also a catcher. "He's smart, agile, confident, and has a great arm," Davolio said proudly.

When Joe was at Paumanok, he wanted his grandfather to come in and talk to his class about being a Yankee. Davolio called up the Yankees and they sent him all kinds of things to bring in for the kids: rings, hats, pens, bumper stickers and more. "Everything you could think of," Davolio said. "We made goody bags for everyone. Joe was like the mayor after that."

Right now Davolio's passion is helping youngsters playing Little League. "I love helping these kids, making them smile, and feel good. That's what it's all about."

He also knows it's important that the coaches and managers understand that Little League is for the kids. "It's not for the managers to make a name for themselves by having a good record. It's not about them."

He loves teaching the pitchers how to bunt. "Back in my day, we had to know how to bunt. There was no DH."

Another big difference in baseball? "I always led my team in complete games. I always finished what I started. Now they have starters middle relievers, a setup man, and a closer. It's ridiculous. The game has really changed."

In high school, he was 23-2 and in college he was 9-1.

"I loved playing ball. Those were happy moments to relive. And now I love helping these kids. These are happy moments too."

But what Davolio really wants the kids nowadays to understand is that their education is the most important thing. 

"I want to help them realize the value and importance of an education while possibly seeking a baseball career. I have told them already a dumb ballplayer will not survive above Little League. They need to take school seriously and study. Soccer, softball, basketball, tennis, etc. are all fine and dandy, but do not neglect your education. What you learn is yours; it becomes part of you and no one can take it from you unless you allow them. Someone may steal your sweater, jacket, shoes etc. but they cannot steal your knowledge."

Davolio concluded, "I had my days in the sun and under the stars. Now, I am just trying to help today's young ballplayers experience it too."