Lorenzo "Piper" Davis was born July 3, 1917 in Piper, Alabama. One of the state's all-time best athletes-major- league caliber in both baseball and basketball. One of the most versatile players in baseball history, he could play any position expertly, as well as run, and hit with power and average. A real star in the Negro Leagues, he was finally signed by the Boston Red Sox. He later managed the Birmingham Black Barons and became the mentor to superstar Willie Mays. Piper played for several years with the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. Davis passed away in May of 1997.