Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
From Davis’ Wikipedia page:
In 1999, Davis wrote his autobiography, Born to Play, in which he credited Pete Rose for having faith in him and teaching him about the game. He also had harsh words for 1996 Reds manager Ray Knight, with whom Davis had had a memorable on-field fight in 1986.[8] He claimed Knight did not support his comeback and did not stand up for him in contract negotiations after the season. Davis remains bitter about the Reds' treatment of him after his World Series injury. Davis was left behind in Oakland after the series and requested that the Reds provide a private plane to bring him back to Cincinnati. Davis claimed that he was refused a number of times and made his own way home after the hospital released him.
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RiverfrontRed
From Davis’ Wikipedia page:
In 1999, Davis wrote his autobiography, Born to Play, in which he credited Pete Rose for having faith in him and teaching him about the game. He also had harsh words for 1996 Reds manager Ray Knight, with whom Davis had had a memorable on-field fight in 1986.[8] He claimed Knight did not support his comeback and did not stand up for him in contract negotiations after the season. Davis remains bitter about the Reds' treatment of him after his World Series injury. Davis was left behind in Oakland after the series and requested that the Reds provide a private plane to bring him back to Cincinnati. Davis claimed that he was refused a number of times and made his own way home after the hospital released him.
I'm sorry, but if Eric Davis was bitter about the way he was treated by the Reds in 1990 WS, why in the world would he re-sign with the organization 6 years later? Marge was still the head honcho when he re-signed and to top it off, he also knew he'd be playing for Ray Knight. Were there no other teams that would give him a chance for a comeback? Not saying he didn't say all of this, just that he needs to take responsibility for joining the team and manager he already had a bad experience with that he was still bitter about.
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foster15
I'm sorry, but if Eric Davis was bitter about the way he was treated by the Reds in 1990 WS, why in the world would he re-sign with the organization 6 years later? Marge was still the head honcho when he re-signed and to top it off, he also knew he'd be playing for Ray Knight. Were there no other teams that would give him a chance for a comeback? Not saying he didn't say all of this, just that he needs to take responsibility for joining the team and manager he already had a bad experience with that he was still bitter about.
In the five previous seasons prior to 1996, Davis had played only 333 games, with a slash line of .229/.326/.372/.698 and only 39 HR's, and he didn't play at all in 1995. So Cincinnati may have been the only club who would take a flyer on him, if for no other reason than nostalgia. During Spring Training, Marty Brennaman didn't think the 1996 version of Eric Davis would hit much at all, but if he could just provide speed and good defense off the bench (which Marty thought he could) then he would be a useful player. Eric hit much better than anyone (myself included) thought he ever could at that age and after that much time off, and he forced his way into the lineup.
Jim Bowden never should have let Davis leave a second time, and Eric should have retired as a Red.
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
smixsell
Always hated Knight after that fight. He showed that he was a no class punk. Complete sucker punch by Knight IMO.
Yeah, it's disappointing that the Reds even hired Knight after that incident.
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foster15
If with 2 outs in the 9th inning and Reds leading 3-1, Dave Parker hadn't been fooling around on the fly ball to right field that he pretended was going over the fence only to laugh and stick his glove out to catch it and then dropped it, the game would've been over with a Reds win and the fight would've never taken place.
True. But Cobra gotta Cobra. An all-time favorite.
Re: Eric Davis and Ray Knight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Big Klu
In the five previous seasons prior to 1996, Davis had played only 333 games, with a slash line of .229/.326/.372/.698 and only 39 HR's, and he didn't play at all in 1995. So Cincinnati may have been the only club who would take a flyer on him, if for no other reason than nostalgia. During Spring Training, Marty Brennaman didn't think the 1996 version of Eric Davis would hit much at all, but if he could just provide speed and good defense off the bench (which Marty thought he could) then he would be a useful player. Eric hit much better than anyone (myself included) thought he ever could at that age and after that much time off, and he forced his way into the lineup.
Jim Bowden never should have let Davis leave a second time, and Eric should have retired as a Red.
I would have also liked to see him retire as a Red but was happy that he wound up having a fantastic season in Baltimore and more importantly Beat Cancer