Pompeyo Davalillo
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Pompeyo Davalillo [da-va-LEEL-lyo], nicknamed "Yo-Yo", is a former Major League Baseball player. A slick shortstop with a fast swinging bat and quick feet, and listed generously at 5' 3", 140 lb (64 kg), Davalillo played in the American League in 1955 for the Washington Senators. He is listed in major league records as having been born on June 30, 1931, in Caracas, Venezuela (Venezuelan baseball official resources indicate July 5, 1928, Zulia, Venezuela).
The oldest brother of outfielder Vic Davalillo, and nicknamed "Yo-Yo", Davalillo was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1953 and later transferred to Washington. Between 1953-55, he played three full-seasons in AA and AAA leagues, registering batting averages of .336 (240-715) and .293 (167-569), respectively. Ending the '55 season, Davalillo had a brief stint with the Senators, batting .293 (17-58) in 19 games played. He had a promising future, but his aversion to airplane travel, combined with a severe injury, cut off his career in the majors.
In thirteen seasons in the Venezuelan Winter League (1952-66), primarily with the Leones del Caracas team, Davalillo batted .276 (486-1761), with 3 home runs, 130 runs batted in, 246 runs, 58 doubles, 19 triples, and 67 stolen bases in 469 games played. Modest batting totals, without a doubt; nonetheless, he had been one of the most popular baseball managers in his home country for his unorthodox strategies, energetic character and personal charisma.
