Eric Davis, A Journey
Known for his incredible combination of speed and power, Eric Davis was dubbed "the next Willie Mays" by many in the baseball circle. Eric made his major league debut in 1984 with the Cincinnati Reds and would solidify his place in baseball history there, justly garnering the nickname "Eric the Red". For nearly a decade, Eric was synonymous with the franchise, eventually leading the Reds to a World Series title in 1990, characteristically giving up his body along the way by lacerating his kidney diving for a fly ball in game four of the fall classic. Eric would become an All Star in 1987 and 1989 on top of also earning a Gold Glove for his outfield heroics in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
Eric's path would eventually lead him to play for six teams during his illustrious career. However, Eric's most important feat was not nearly becoming the first 30/30 man or his astonishing career tally of 282 home runs, 934 RBI, and 349 stolen bases. Eric's greatest triumph came in 1997 when he defeated colon cancer in the middle of the season during his stint with the Baltimore Orioles.
Eric found hardships from the earliest moments of his life, yet always managed to overcome them while building a spirit he continues to exude. After growing up in a gang-ridden area of Los Angeles, Eric was drafted by the Reds in the eighth round of the 1980 draft and would play with them until 1991. Brief, injury-ridden seasons spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Detroit Tigers led Eric into retirement following the 1994 season.
A year of rest and recovery brought Eric out of retirement and back to Cincinnati, where he would make a strong comeback. Following that 1996 season, Eric was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. It was in 1997, at the age of 35, when Eric experienced a persistent pain that would force him out of the Orioles' lineup and ultimately be diagnosed as colon cancer. Eric vowed to return to play for Baltimore that season and embraced the role as a messenger of inspiration and hope for all cancer patients.
Shortly after doctors removed a massive tumor from his body that culminated with numerous energy-draining chemotherapy treatments, Eric returned to the Orioles' lineup just as he earlier proclaimed. Baltimore made it to the American League Championship Series that year, and in one of the most extraordinary and heart-warming stories in sports history, Eric was brought in to pinch-hit in the top of the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians and hit a game-deciding home run. Eric, only four months removed from surgery, received a five-minute standing ovation from the fans that day and a lifetime of ovation from the millions affected by cancer around the world.
Career StatisticsA comprehensive set of Eric Davis's career statistics can be found at Baseball Almanac |  |