James Whyte Davis

James Whyte Davis (The Fiend or Too Late)

• Born March 2, 1826 in New York USA
• Died February 15, 1899

Biographical Information

James Whyte Davis began playing for the New York Knickerbockers in 1850. Outside of baseball he sold fruit and produce as well as general merchandise and later stock certificates. He was also a volunteer firefighter with the Oceana Hose Company 36, which Alexander Cartwright, Alonzo Slote, and various other members of the Knickerbockers were a part of at one point or another. He had two sons and a daughter with his wife Maria who died young.

In 1855 the Knickerbockers presented a banner in honor of their tenth anniversary and after the celebration, Davis took it home and it was draped over his dresser until his death. He became the president and record keeper of the club and his baseball playing career spanned over 30 years.

He made a request to be buried in his baseball uniform with the banner wrapped around him along with the following inscription:

"Wrapped in the Original Flag

Of the

Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of N.Y.,

Here lies the body of

James Whyte Davis,

A member for thirty years.

He was not “Too Late,”

Reaching the “Home Plate.”

Born March 2, 1826.

Died ______."

This request was partially granted granted, as his grave was unmarked for 117 years until the Society for American Baseball Research 19th Century Grave Marker Project helped dedicate a new grave marker, a black home plate-shaped stone with his requested inscription on it.