SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Siluria native and former San Francisco Giant Jim &8220;Peanut&8221; Davenport was one of eight individuals inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Davenport was born in Siluria on Aug. 17, 1933, graduated from Thompson High School and went on to play baseball and football at the University of South Mississippi.

At USM, Davenport played in back-to-back Sun Bowl games in 1953-54, helping his squad defeat the Bart Starr-led Alabama Crimson Tide both years.

The San Francisco Giants offered him a baseball contract during his junior year at USM.

Davenport became a member of the San Francisco Giants&8217; inaugural team in 1958 and quickly became one of the league&8217;s premier third basemen.

He won the Golden Glove award in 1962 for best fielder in the major leagues and currently holds two major league records.

He set the mark for most double-plays initiated in a World Series game (4) in 1962 and established the league&8217;s record for consecutive errorless games by a third baseman (97) from July 1966 to April 1968.

In 13 seasons, he had a lifetime batting average of .258 and was a member of the National League All-Star team in 1962.

He was voted by the fans as the third baseman on the San Francisco Giants&8217; 25th Anniversary Dream Team in 1982.

After his playing days, he went into coaching.

He has been involved with four major league franchises over the years (San Diego, Philadelphia, Detroit and San Francisco).

During his coaching career he has been a coach, manager, hitting instructor, third base coach and advance scout.

He is still associated with the San Francisco Giants organization.

The city of Alabaster recently passed a resolution honoring Davenport for his accomplishments and recommended him for induction to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

The THS Warriors&8217; baseball stadium also bears his name.

Davenport was inducted into the ASHOF at a ceremony held at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel.

Others to be inducted with into the hall of fame with Davenport included: Mickey Andrews (football), Joe Ciampi (basketball), Tim Flock (NASCAR), Mia Hamm (soccer), Lionel James (football), Buddy McClinton (football) and Bob Veale (baseball)