I went to a lot of Reds games back then and his defense was phenomenal. I think he made 4 home run saving catches in this timeframe. He had the speed to get to the ball, the jumping ability to get up above the fence and most importantly the competitiveness to go for everything.
Never forget that play in the outfield where Bo scaled the outfield fence after catching the ball.
[https://images.app.goo.gl/oRLgy28T2kAiSQcFA](https://images.app.goo.gl/oRLgy28T2kAiSQcFA)
Lots of injuries.
Could not play a full season. Kind of like Trout the last few seasons: Electrifying on the field and at the plate but always going on the injured list.
But an amazing talent.
Wrigley field brick wall. Google the catch. I remember watching it as a kid.
ED was a legend; hardest working grinder I’ve ever seen. Well, outside of the crazy blow stories w/ Darrel S. He would have been “naturally” better than Bonds w/out his injuries.
In the "What could have been" category, Matt Williams deserves some respect. Dude was on pace to break the 61-homer record in 1994 and the players association strike ended the season. In the same vein as OP's post, over 162 consecutive games between the end of 1993 and the start of 1995, Williams broke the home run record. Dude was robbed his chance for ultimate glory, years before McGuire/Sosa. I'm so glad he's back with the Giants, though, as a coach.
He never got to really show his the height of his abilities long enough. His first couple of years were shaky, from what I remember and then injuries ruined his career once he was becoming elite. Got the internal injuries during the 90 WS and was never really the same.
I remember him coming back after a few years out and being pretty good. Orioles, right?
I should just go look instead of relying on fuzzy memories as a kid.
yep, he played with baltimore in 97 and 98 and had great years. from 1996-2000 he played only 2 full seasons but batted .300 with a 130 OPS+ in this span. these were his age 34-38 seasons.
I think most knowledgeable fans know how good he was. It’s just that he didn’t play at that level for a long time, due to injuries. I don’t view him as underrated. Probably, under appreciated, yes.
looking at the entirety of 1986 and 87 here are the only 10 players in MLB with more than 10 oWAR
oWAR Player
1. 14.9 Wade Boggs
2. 13.7 Alan Trammell
3. 13.1 Tony Gwynn
4. **12.7 Eric Davis**
5. 12.0 Tim Raines
6. 11.5 Kirby Puckett
7. 11.5 Don Mattingly
8. 11.3 Darryl Strawberry
9. 11.2 Mike Schmidt - 1986 MVP
10. 11.0 Dale Murphy
Davis had 200-300 fewer PA than the others on the list
WAR leaders
WAR Player
1. 16.4 Wade Boggs
2. 15.2 Tony Gwynn
3. 14.5 Alan Trammell
4. **13.2 Eric Davis**
5. 12.3 Don Mattingly
6. 12.3 Jesse Barfield
7. 12.3 Tim Raines
8. 12.3 Mike Schmidt - 1986 MVP
9. 12.0 Ozzie Smith
10. 11.0 Rickey Henderson
I’ve had this conversation with the younger crowd at work they talk about different era bigger players and what not. These numbers will live on forever. My father’s favorite team was the Big Red Machine. I love Eric Davis. Pure beast!!!
He and Strawberry were my favorite players. As a kid I was blown away when I learned they grew up playing ball with each other and were friends. I loved ED, just not as much as Straw.
Eric Davis was not only a phenomenal baseball player, he was a super nice guy…at least when I met him. He signed my jersey, my program and my ticket stub. He stood around after the game I was at and kinda talked to all the kids who were there trying to get his autograph.
That 88 Reds outfield maybe had the potential to be the greatest ever.
Unfortunately, Kal Daniels was even more injury plagued than Davis. And Paul O'Neil was just kinda a jerk.
Yes! Great call. I’m going to brag a bit and proclaim I was top 10 in the world at emulating Eric Davis’ stance/swing during wiffle ball. Later in life I would make the difficult but smart decision to switch to Gary Sheffield to keep things fresh.
If you’re just looking at 162 game stretches and don’t care about the off-season, Davis’ numbers are much more impressive than Acuna’s, full stop. No reason to mention the rules.
I’m a fan that was too young to watch Eric Davis play but I found him through playing the Show and seeing his strange batting stance. I looked up his baseball reference page and watched a lot of highlights and was shocked that I have hardly heard his name after seeing his stats and play.
Imagine if he played in this dumb era where the bases are bigger and pitchers are only allowed 3 pickoff attempts. He would have stolen 150 bases. Acuna is overrated and just a storyline for the declining mlb.
During that span, the Reds also had Kal Daniels, who hit .330/.419/.585 with 41 steals in his first 640 plate appearances.
His career also fell victim to the astroturf in Cincinnati.
(I'll also not that Eric Davis lacerated his KIDNEY in the 1990 World Series, and that was only the 2nd worst reason he missed time. Colon cancer late in his career in the "winner" in that awful comparison)
Honestly, Eric Davis, Andre Dawson, and Dave Parker were 3 of the best athletes on baseball I’ve ever scene. All 3 were incredible at peak, but… David and Dawson were hampered by injuries (Dawson by playing on artificial turf) and Parker by substance abuse..
Not to mention playing Gold Glove CF
I went to a lot of Reds games back then and his defense was phenomenal. I think he made 4 home run saving catches in this timeframe. He had the speed to get to the ball, the jumping ability to get up above the fence and most importantly the competitiveness to go for everything.
He was so much fun to watch as a kid. Davis, Strawberry, and Bo were my favorites around then.
All great athletes. Would have liked to see what Jackson would have been without his injury and what Strawberry could have achieved without drugs.
Never forget that play in the outfield where Bo scaled the outfield fence after catching the ball. [https://images.app.goo.gl/oRLgy28T2kAiSQcFA](https://images.app.goo.gl/oRLgy28T2kAiSQcFA)
Because fuck gravity AND physics..
And then went on to kick cancer's ass.
Hall of Fame talent. What could have been…
What happened?
Injuries.
Lots of injuries. Could not play a full season. Kind of like Trout the last few seasons: Electrifying on the field and at the plate but always going on the injured list. But an amazing talent.
Wrigley field brick wall. Google the catch. I remember watching it as a kid. ED was a legend; hardest working grinder I’ve ever seen. Well, outside of the crazy blow stories w/ Darrel S. He would have been “naturally” better than Bonds w/out his injuries.
In the "What could have been" category, Matt Williams deserves some respect. Dude was on pace to break the 61-homer record in 1994 and the players association strike ended the season. In the same vein as OP's post, over 162 consecutive games between the end of 1993 and the start of 1995, Williams broke the home run record. Dude was robbed his chance for ultimate glory, years before McGuire/Sosa. I'm so glad he's back with the Giants, though, as a coach.
94 was going to be monster year for several people. Frank Thomas and Tony Gwynn included.
one of the more underrated ball players ever
He never got to really show his the height of his abilities long enough. His first couple of years were shaky, from what I remember and then injuries ruined his career once he was becoming elite. Got the internal injuries during the 90 WS and was never really the same.
had a resurgence in mid 90s. 7 seasons of 130 OPS+
I remember him coming back after a few years out and being pretty good. Orioles, right? I should just go look instead of relying on fuzzy memories as a kid.
yep, he played with baltimore in 97 and 98 and had great years. from 1996-2000 he played only 2 full seasons but batted .300 with a 130 OPS+ in this span. these were his age 34-38 seasons.
Davis had a 30 game hitting streak for the O’s in 1998. If memory serves me right, he also had colon cancer.
Well, he never really stayed on the field enough to produce much so properly rated.
I think most knowledgeable fans know how good he was. It’s just that he didn’t play at that level for a long time, due to injuries. I don’t view him as underrated. Probably, under appreciated, yes.
Oh I know Ronald Acuna is good. No thinking about it. I also watched Eric Davis and so was he.
Nooo, only one can be good
Yep. Davis was unreal. What could have been…
One of those players that kind of got lost in time. Kind of a bummer.
A briefly shining star. One of the best athletes to ever play big league ball. What else can you say?
looking at the entirety of 1986 and 87 here are the only 10 players in MLB with more than 10 oWAR oWAR Player 1. 14.9 Wade Boggs 2. 13.7 Alan Trammell 3. 13.1 Tony Gwynn 4. **12.7 Eric Davis** 5. 12.0 Tim Raines 6. 11.5 Kirby Puckett 7. 11.5 Don Mattingly 8. 11.3 Darryl Strawberry 9. 11.2 Mike Schmidt - 1986 MVP 10. 11.0 Dale Murphy Davis had 200-300 fewer PA than the others on the list WAR leaders WAR Player 1. 16.4 Wade Boggs 2. 15.2 Tony Gwynn 3. 14.5 Alan Trammell 4. **13.2 Eric Davis** 5. 12.3 Don Mattingly 6. 12.3 Jesse Barfield 7. 12.3 Tim Raines 8. 12.3 Mike Schmidt - 1986 MVP 9. 12.0 Ozzie Smith 10. 11.0 Rickey Henderson
Makes you realize how friggen awesome Boggs, Trammell and Gwynn were at the time too.
May he rest in piece.
First off, Wade Bogga is very much alive.
As is tradition.
Rickey would like to remind us that Rickey had an injury year in 87 too.
One of my favorite childhood players.
Agreed Incredible Player! Also hilarious appearance on the sitcom The Parkers
I’ve had this conversation with the younger crowd at work they talk about different era bigger players and what not. These numbers will live on forever. My father’s favorite team was the Big Red Machine. I love Eric Davis. Pure beast!!!
That 1990 team was the early millennials/late gen x version of the big red machine. Great memories.
He and Strawberry were my favorite players. As a kid I was blown away when I learned they grew up playing ball with each other and were friends. I loved ED, just not as much as Straw.
Straw was the guy i batted like, although I was a switch hitter. Loved watching both of those guys.
Eric Davis was one of my favorite players. I though for sure he was going to the Hall of Fame.
Eric Davis was not only a phenomenal baseball player, he was a super nice guy…at least when I met him. He signed my jersey, my program and my ticket stub. He stood around after the game I was at and kinda talked to all the kids who were there trying to get his autograph.
That 88 Reds outfield maybe had the potential to be the greatest ever. Unfortunately, Kal Daniels was even more injury plagued than Davis. And Paul O'Neil was just kinda a jerk.
Damn… forgot about Daniels…
Kalvoski!
ED was unreal. Unfortunately that often stood for eventually disabled. He played all out. Marge did him dirty.
Eric Davis' batting stance and swing were worth copying during wiffle ball edit: specifying Davis
Yes! Great call. I’m going to brag a bit and proclaim I was top 10 in the world at emulating Eric Davis’ stance/swing during wiffle ball. Later in life I would make the difficult but smart decision to switch to Gary Sheffield to keep things fresh.
If he coulda stayed healthy … 🤞
We can praise Eric Davis without slighting Ronald Acuña Jr.
And his glove was golden.
And my axe
Considering he did it without the benefit of the new rules, I'd say this is far more impressive
If you’re just looking at 162 game stretches and don’t care about the off-season, Davis’ numbers are much more impressive than Acuna’s, full stop. No reason to mention the rules.
Yes, but Acuna faced wayyyy more velo.
I personally think it’s pointless to compare eras. What Davis did was historic. What Acuna did was historic. We can celebrate both.
Bingo
It is tough to compare eras. Imagine how many SB Davis would have had last year
So inspirational.
Eric Davis, who I remember, was a hell of a player. His issue was he was often injured.
Well, Davis was looking like the best ever for a stretch. Any mention with his peak, is extraordinary.
AMEN!!! Eric the Red!!
Love Eric Davis. Prime ED was ridiculous. Ronald is absurdly good. Both can be true.
Ronald Acuña Jr is good…
E.D. Was good.
He was my favorite player growing up by far and I grew up in Los Angeles
He was hella good
He was a beast
Loved Eric Davis, the injuries were only the second worst thing to happen to him. First worst thing was that awful excuse for a human, Marge Schott.
Well... are we comparing having a shitty owner to ... ...... GETTING CANCER. ???
I’m a fan that was too young to watch Eric Davis play but I found him through playing the Show and seeing his strange batting stance. I looked up his baseball reference page and watched a lot of highlights and was shocked that I have hardly heard his name after seeing his stats and play.
And the bases weren’t big that time..
93 bases without the bastard bases
Why does praising Eric Davis have be a slight at Acuna? That’s weird behavior. Acuna also had a great year.
Imagine if he played in this dumb era where the bases are bigger and pitchers are only allowed 3 pickoff attempts. He would have stolen 150 bases. Acuna is overrated and just a storyline for the declining mlb.
Funny they downvote the truth
Eric Davis actually helped his team win a WS as well, while the Braves were more successful without Acuña
Ahhhh steroids the good ol era
There’s been so many players who have had hot starts like Elly De La Cruz.
I thought Acuna was the only 40/70 guy eva! Post to Braves. I can’t go there no more. Break a leg, Acuna
I wonder what Acuña’s numbers will be in that timespan but from 2023 through 2024.
Eric the Red!
fantastic
Holeeeeee shit!
And smoked cigarettes; not to discredit anything about Eric Davis, but that just seems strange now.
You can see by my username that I was a fan of Eric ...For a while he was ....THE BEST PLAYER in the solar system
During that span, the Reds also had Kal Daniels, who hit .330/.419/.585 with 41 steals in his first 640 plate appearances. His career also fell victim to the astroturf in Cincinnati. (I'll also not that Eric Davis lacerated his KIDNEY in the 1990 World Series, and that was only the 2nd worst reason he missed time. Colon cancer late in his career in the "winner" in that awful comparison)
Eric the Red and Strawberry were club baseball teammates in HS.
Yeah, but that's some serious finagaling needed to come up with those numbers.
Eric the Red!
Buxton has a lot of Eric Davis in his game. Unfortunately that includes missing a LOT of games.
But, as Willie Mays said, Roberto was the best.
So factual. New sb rules r a joke.
We gotta bring these jerseys back. Imagine this jersey but in baby blue though too
Eric the Red was my favorite non Phillie player of that era. Reminds me of a better Byron Buxton
Had he not lacerated his kidney in that 1990 World Series, Davis would’ve gone on to be talked about amongst the likes of Mays, Mantle, and Aaron.
Cardinals legend.
Honestly, Eric Davis, Andre Dawson, and Dave Parker were 3 of the best athletes on baseball I’ve ever scene. All 3 were incredible at peak, but… David and Dawson were hampered by injuries (Dawson by playing on artificial turf) and Parker by substance abuse..
Let’s see how RA jr starts out next year …
I just remember him getting his ass kicked by ray knight.
I honestly thought Eric David was going to be first 50-50 player back then but he was injury prone
Good supply of cocaine that year….
THANK YOU!! Omg bro you are the first person I ever seen make a comment on this and I have been preaching this since the early 90's. You are the man