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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > August > 22 > Entry
Eric Davis: a man’s man
Look for Eric Davis to become a full-time coach with the Reds, probably next year.
He was with the team in Chicago and was supposed to fly back to his California home after the Cubs series, but there he was sitting in a dressing stall Friday in Coors Field.
“They said my services are needed,” said Davis. “So I go where my services are needed.”
There is talk about Davis becoming a full-time coach and he said general manager Walt Jocketty told him he wants to talk to him soon, probably about a job.
“I’m open,” said Davis.
Pardon my prejudice, but I believe it would be an outstanding move - for several reasons. Not only was Davis an outstanding players, he is an outstanding person, probably my all-time favorite.
When my oldest son, Brian, went to spring training with me and Davis was with the team, he took the time to be nice to my son - talked baseball and life with him. As a result, when my grandson was born 18 years ago, he was named Eric - after Eric Davis. I couldn’t have been more pleased.
When I was voted into the Hall of Fame, the Louisville Slugger company made a large plaque for me to hang over my desk. A bat was included and they asked what player’s bat I wanted affixed to the plaque.
Easy one, there. Eric Davis. So his bat hangs in my home office where I can see it every time I sit down at my desk.
Eric Davis is special in many, many ways.
In my entire career, I wrote one column I wish I had never written. There was talk that the Reds might trade Davis to the Phillies, but I got wind that some people in Philadelphia’s front office were leery of Davis because they thought he might be using drugs.
I wrote that. Why? I have no idea. It was somebody talking out of the side of their mouth. No truth to it. Eric Davis NEVER did drugs.
He was angry. Very angry. Rightly so. He talked to me about it and I felt so sad sitting there watching him after I’d put it out to the world that somebody thought he was doing drugs.
And you know what? Eric Davis forgave me. Never brought up the subject again. And he said nothing but nice things about me in his book.
That’s a man. A man’s man.
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By bigdoc
August 23, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I see a lot of the young ED in BP—as a youngster, Eric the Red had a real edge! Being a street kid from LA, Cincinnati was a stretch for him. But he matured, mellowed, grew up! One of the most talented Reds ever!
By got milk
August 23, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Maybe Eric could teach Brandon Phillips a thing or two about what leadership is.
By don
August 23, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Often wondered why Davis wasn’t a coach for the Reds.He carries himself well, very intelligent, knowledgeable and alway positive. Always felt he was underappreciated in Cincy.He gave it his all at all times. Happy to hear he could be a coach. And Hal,a class act is someone who admits he makes a mistake and doesn’t mind telling others about it. Keep up the good work, my friend.
By Duane
August 23, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Eric Davis will always be my favorite Reds Player…A truly great individual…I met and talked with Eric when he was with the Dodgers and they were in St. Louis…A true class act…by the way I named my first son Eric, in honor of the Great Red…Thanks Hal, May God Bless you Both.
By Moi
August 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
I guess I must have caught Eric on a bad day. I was at Marge Schott’s annual fundraiser one year, and the players were there to sign autographs for those who had donated the money to attend. I had several baseball cards from the 6-year-old nephew of a friend that he asked me to have signed. I went up to Eric, and he could not have been more of a jerk about it. He did sign the card, but with very bad grace—impatience, lots of heavy sighing, etc. I almost didn’t ask anyone else because of his behavior. I finally asked Paul O’Neill and was glad I did—he could not have been more gracious. Now, THERE’S a class act!
By Kevin
August 23, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
When ED injured himself in the 1990 WS he was in the hostpital in Oakland. my wife found out where and sent him flowers. The following January we received an envelope postmarked Cincinati in the mail….it contained a hand written thank you note from ED and several signed ED rookie cards. Class act….just a really class act….
By HuberTucky
August 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
If memory serves, that drug talk was due to his friendship with Gooden and Strawberry and them all growing up together in LA area. ED wasn’t a druggie but the other two were. Guilt by association, unfortunately. ED is and was always a clean guy, great player, class act, good man, good citizen, excellent teammate.
By bigdoc
August 23, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hal, This is very good news! Saw ED in the dugout last nite and smiled. I think he grew up a lot during and especially after his years in Cincy (his second stint here was very different), and he could have a great impact on players who still need to grow up some—see Phillips, Brandon. Youngsters wil listen to a genuine star when they might not listen to a good technician (Jacoby) who wasn’t a star.
By Steve F
August 23, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Does this mean next year we could have Davis and Larkin back in the Reds plans ? What great news that would be.
By mike cahill
August 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
The fact that Eric may well be in the Reds organization is refreshing news. I agree that he would likely be a tremendous asset in helping to teach and motivate young players. I’d love to see him with the big club but he may do the most good at Dayton or Chatanooga, at least at first. I also agree with the idea of bringing Oester back in some capacity. It’s the kind of attitude that the Reds are in need of in the worst way. Davis is a winner and so is Oester. Keep on trying, Walt. You may be on the right track.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
August 23, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Also don’t think Dick Pole will be fired as pitching coach. He hasn’t done a poor job at all with these young pitchers, although I wish he would exert more influence with Baker over pitch counts and usage. We’ve all seen a few things with the pitching staff during the course of the year that made us cringe, so it’s up to Pole to step forward for his pitchers. I think Berry and Jacoby are the only ones in trouble, and that’s fine.
By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
August 23, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
E.D. has far more value to the organization than to be limited to the major league team. He should be a roving instructor where his talent, people and life skills can be an essential part of every single player who comes through the Cincinnati Reds’ organization, from rookie league to the majors.
By michael
August 23, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
I agree, Jacoby out and ED hired as the new hitting Instructor. Also, brig Sabo and Power up from the minors.
By Monty
August 23, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
I sure hope Hatcher isnt looking for a new job next year! If anyone should be replaced, it should be Jacoby and Pole, maybe Berry too. I’d love to see Oester back as a coach, maybe along with Browning or Power as pitching coach. E.D.could be the hitting coach, or bench coach.
By John
August 23, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Cool idea, but what will the Reds do when ED pulls a hamstring jogging out to the coaching box? Better get Herm Winningham’s number too.
By yt27
August 23, 2008 7:05 AM | Link to this
I will always have a special place in my heart for Eric Davis after watching him take Dave Stewart deep in the first inning of game 1 of the 1990 Series. That HR set the tone for the Reds sweep of the A’s.
By dal
August 23, 2008 4:24 AM | Link to this
Cal Ripken called Eric Davis the most talented player he’d ever seen back in 98 or so, and I’m pretty certain that Cal probably knows how incredibly kind of a man Eric is, from their playing together for 2 seasons. Eric was kind to me when I met him at spring training both times in different years. I will always treasure hearing him tell an elderly lady that said he smelled so good that it was, “soap!”, and then after I made a few jokey comments that made him and others laugh, he said you’re a funny guy! That made me beam, because he was my sports hero from childhood. A real man, who I don’t think would judge ANYONE of any type of persuasion, creed, religion etc, - and men like that are rare. I never thought Davis was on drugs, and I remember that (I’m so glad Eric forgave, it makes me know he’s everything he shows himself to be), and was so let down, just like when the right-wingers on 700 WLW were attacking him for being lazy and screwing the fans for a big paycheck and the innuendo they always made about him made me sick. Hal, you’re a great guy, I just wanted to say that! ERIC DAVIS FOR MANAGER would be nice once he gets a few years under his belt manning 3rd base or wherever.
By Don L
August 23, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this
Maybe Eric Davis will be the new hitting instructor. Probably could do better than what we have had.
By Ted
August 23, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
rig, great question! I guess the answer is if you make $3 million a year, you’re too expensive to sit on the bench.
By rlg
August 23, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
Someone please answer these two questions: Why is Cory, swing at the first pitch always, Patterson still starting? Why are they still pitching Gary Majewski?
By Y-City Jim
August 22, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
In what capacity is Davis going to coach? Does he have any professional coaching experience?
By Coach
August 22, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
All Majewski needs is a horn on his belt!
By Matt
August 22, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Amen Hal! Eric Davis had a storied baseball career and would be a great addition to the Reds in any capacity. The Reds, or any other team for that matter, I’m sure would be honored to have Davis as a coach, or to work for them in any capacity that he wants. “Eric the Reds” was and is a class act, both on and off the field.
By rob in stl
August 22, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Not only is Davis a card carrying memeber of the old pro club, he looks like he could still be a pro. Man, he is in great shape. What coach would go? I doubt ED would be the batting coach, so my guess is Billy Hatcher would be the odd man out.