REGRETTING L.A.; INJURIES SLOWED DAVIS IN TIME WITH HOMETOWN TEAM.Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer It has been six years since Eric Davis Eric Davis may refer to:
Not after returning from colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. last year to bat .327 with 28 homers in Baltimore. Not with 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases well within range for a career that was often cut short by injuries. But as Davis, now a member of the St. Louis Cardinals For the National Football League team that played in St. Louis from 1960 to 1987, see . The St. Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards" or "the Redbirds") are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. , remembers his 1-1/2 seasons with the Dodgers, he calls it one of the few regrets in 14 major- league seasons. He had grown up in South Central L.A. and had lived in Woodland Hills since 1985. His childhood buddy Darryl Strawberry
``I've been through a lot in my life,'' Davis said before Saturday's game with the Dodgers and Cardinals. ``But I've always felt very badly that the fans in L.A. didn't get a chance to see me really play. Everything was in place, coming home, everything. That could have really been something.'' What is really something is the way Davis has responded to every adversity. Once considered surly and aloof, Davis is one of the most popular players in the Cardinals clubhouse. Once reluctant to accept the responsibility of team leadership, he now embraces a more prominent role. ``He is a special, special man,'' said Dodgers manager Davey Johnson Davis acknowledges that the cancer surgery and subsequent chemotherapy affected his perspective and resolve in a positive way. He said leadership is a quality, ``set by example, not just performance. It is the respect you get for standing up when times are bad and accepting your part. It is easy for a guy to talk after he's gotten a couple of hits. It's more important that he's there when times are tough.'' He does not look back in anger at Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott Margaret Unnewehr Schott (August 18, 1928 — March 2, 2004) was the controversial former managing general partner, president and CEO of the National League's Cincinnati Reds franchise from 1984 to 1999. She was the first woman to buy a baseball team rather than inheriting it. , his former boss. The two often battled, including after the Reds won the 1990 World Series. Davis lacerated lacerated /lac·er·at·ed/ (las´er-at?ed) torn; mangled; wounded by a jagged instrument. lac·er·at·ed adj. Cut or wounded in a jagged manner. a kidney in the Series and Schott billed him for the flight back to Cincinnati on a separate medical charter. Schott has been under suspension from baseball for two years for racially insensitive remarks and forced to sell her part of the Reds. ``I think of her and I'm sad,'' he said. ``She is not a bad person, she just made bad decisions. I think she often trusted in people in Cincinnati that did not have her best interests at heart. There are a lot of powerful people who think like that, but they aren't allowed to do it in public.'' Davis also says poor decision making is at the root of the legal problems facing Strawberry, who was arrested in April for possession of cocaine and soliciting a prostitute. The two remain close and Davis was Strawberry's chief confidante con·fi·dante n. 1. A woman to whom secrets or private matters are disclosed. 2. A woman character in a drama or fiction, such as a trusted friend or servant, who serves as a device for revealing the inner thoughts or intentions when the Yankees outfielder underwent similar surgery for colon cancer last October. But Davis said he isn't sure Strawberry will escape the demons Demons See also devil; evil; ghosts; hell; spirits and spiritualism. ademonist one who denies the existence of the devil or demons. bogyism, bogeyism recognition of the existence of demons and goblins. that have ruined his career. ``Will Darryl ever find peace?'' he said. ``Not until he can find some peace in his heart. He made some bad choices because he has to realize that drugs are a disease that has to be addressed every day.'' Davis, now 37, said he expected to return to Baltimore after last season, but the Cardinals offered a two-year, $8 million contract. Although he has battled the flu the past week, Davis started in right field Saturday night. He entered the game batting .27D4 with three homers and 17 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in . Davis said his biggest individual goal is to reach 300 home runs, which should occur next season. After that, he said he would like to stay in baseball in a management capacity. Cincinnati general manager Jim Bowden and Dodgers GM Kevin Malone have talked to him about front-office possibilities down the road. ``I would like to see that someday,'' Davis said. ``I've learned a lot over the years.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Cal Ripken playfully wrestles with ex-teammate Eric Davis, who didn't have such fun as a Dodger. Roberto Borea/Associated Press |
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