This article was originally published on CrescentCitySports.com on February 6.

Diminutive outfielder Lloyd Davenport, who was born in New Orleans in 1911, began his professional baseball career with the New Orleans Black Stars in 1934. He went on to have a productive career in the Negro Leagues (now considered the major leagues) until 1945. He was a six-time participant in the East-West All-Star Game, which showcased the best players from the Negro Leagues.

The 5-foot-6, 155-pounder was known for his elite speed, both on the bases and in the outfield. He was strong for his size and was reported to have the ability to hit the ball anywhere he wanted. His nickname was “Ducky,” because of his distinctive stride.

Davenport was the center fielder for the 1938 Memphis Red Sox that won the Negro American League championship. He batted .325.

With the lure of a higher salary, he played in Mexico in 1940 and batted .356 with Tampico.

In 1942 he played for three teams and posted a combined slash line of .333/.431/.465. He led the Negro American League in on-base percentage and walks.

He appeared in the Negro American League World Series again in 1943 with the Chicago American Giants, losing to Birmingham.

After helping the Cleveland Buckeyes to a first-half drive toward the pennant in 1945, Davenport returned to Mexico, where he finished the season with a .352 batting average in 30 games with Nuevo Laredo. He played three more seasons in Mexico in an independent league.

His final season in professional baseball was a short stint in 1953 at age 41, with Class D Danville, a Chicago White Sox affiliate.

Davenport was inducted into the first Hall of Fame class of the Crescent City Old Timers Baseball Association in 1970. He frequently participated as an instructor at youth clinics in the city. He died in New Orleans in 1985.