Eric Davis: The Biggest "What If" of the 1980s/1990s 

Hitting a pinch hit home run during cancer treatment is amazing. I had the worst blurry vision during chemo so my hat goes off to the man.

The reds had two of the best center fielders ever to play on their teams and both were ravaged by injuries most of their time on the team. Griffey and ED deserved so, so much more.

People don’t understand how talented he was. Right there with Bonds and Griffey

Eric in the late 1980's was one of baseball's best and most exciting players. He was a Hall of Famer for sure without the injuries.

I loved watching Davis. He was a beast. Like really really good. He never played a full season. He would of hit 45 HR and stole 100 bases... wtf... crazy

Currently one of my best bats on the Show

My favorite player of all time!

Speaking of players who could’ve been decade defining players Caesar Cedeno is one who comes to mind for me

Two best players I love watching Eric Davis Ken griffey Jr and they both played for my favorite team.

Eric Davis and Darryl Strawberry two amazing baseball players from LA both on the what if list for totally different reasons

My dad grew up watching him in Cincinnati. Said he was the best player he’s ever seen play. For sure would be a hall of famer if he did t get injured. But on the bright side he is in the reds hall of fame so basically the same thing

I just started playing Eric Davis's Player Program in the Show the other day too. Wow, what a coincidence.

(I kno this just 1 yr)but this the same dude who legit had 37 Hrs and 50 SBs in 129 games😬 he legit had GOAT Potential

He also had one of the most iconic stances!! He held his hands absurdly low and had the wild leg kick to boot! Loved his crazy ass swing that would probably launch softballs to the MOOOOOON!

Being a teen in the late 80’s,Davis was my b-ball hero..Collecting cards in those 80’s his rookie went thru the roof!.Today Ronald Acuna is closest in raw talent

I grew up in West Virginia about 3 and a half hours from Cincinnati and I used to get to go to one Reds game per year with my Dad's church. One of those years (probably 85 or 86) they played the Padres and Eric Davis hit an inside the park home run. It should have been an outfield single, but it got by the fielder and rolled to the wall. Davis was just kind of jogging to first, but when he saw it get by the fielder, he turned it on...hit another gear and just flew around the bases. I was amazed. I didn't think a human could run that fast. It wasn't until I had season tickets to Marshall University's football games in 1997-98 when Randy Moss played for The Herd did I see anybody near as fast or faster. It's too bad Davis had all those injuries. He was fun to watch.

He was a beast on the original RBI Baseball

Eric Davis and Barry Larkin were 2 of my favorite players as a kid

He had a batting stance i loved to imitate as a kid.

cesar cedeño- the newest “best player i’ve never heard of”. there is so much history to this game i feel like i’m surprised by something i didn’t know/never heard of almost every day and i’ve been a huge fan for 30 years. it’s truly amazing.

God yes. He could’ve been so special. Love him on The Show!

Eric Davis had a beautiful swing and made it look easy. I remember that injury in the 1990 WS.

I loved the loose waving bat stance that bat speed when he swung was insane my favorite swing of any player

Davis and Strawberry both had HOF natural ability. I would say Bonds and a little later Griffey Jr. Were the only two players from that era that had more natural talent in my opinion Edit: Bo Jackson belongs somewhere in there aswell

Had amazing talent in his prime and really electrifying to watch. Sad he couldn't stay healthy. Definitely could have been a hall of famer.

My son plays little league and has an unusual batting stance compared to his peers, which I've tried correcting, but he refuses to budge. He stands upright, feet close, the hands low and then explodes when the ball is pitched. It works for him, great contact hitter. The whole time his stance reminded me of someone, but I couldn't pinpoint who. One day it hit me, "Eric freakin Davis!", so I looked up Eric Davis videos on RU-vid. I was a big fan of Davis when I was a kid. If that swing worked for Davis, it can work for my kid. Just improve it as he gets older.

SportStorm gets it.. the guy could really do anything. One of the greatest athletes I have ever seen ⚾

I remember a few years ago I couldn’t find one video on RU-vid of this man. I couldn’t believe I thought the world forgot about this Legend with the Legendary batting stance. Thank You great video

He was the most exciting player I ever watched. A shame about his injuries, but he now is a beloved instructor in the Reds' system.

Best player the Reds ever had in CF by far!!!!! And he should be in Coopertowns!!! No doubt!

At what point do you think Eric Davis started to wonder if he had pissed off some cruel injury god by accident? I mean seriously, a lacerated kidney?

great video!!! 1990 World Series home run is legendary. A's had won 10 playoff games in a row & the announcers stated Davis had hurt his shoulder and would be looking to make contact; dude hit a bomb to center in the 1st inning and the Reds swept the series... fax!!!

My favorite baseball player of all time. I grew up watching as many games as I could that he played in, and given the fact that he packed all those stats into very few games if you got to watch him play you were very likely to see him do something special every time. Also, in 98, I am pretty sure he hit that .327 and 28 home runs in 452 AB while wearing a colostomy bag.

He was my favorite player as a young red legs fan

From mid-season 1988 to mid-season 1990, Eric performed at as high a level as anyone who has ever played the game. I was fortunate to have a front office contact in those years that got me tix and saw a lot of games through the early 90s. The guy was truly a five tool player. It was cool to see him get on base late in a tie or one run game and watch him work his way to third at will. I think I remember a weekend series in Philly where he hit grand slams in back to back games. Unfortunately the fans never seemed to truly embrace him, maybe because of his injury-prone history. I specifically remember a game where I was sitting behind home plate and every time Eric came up the geniuses around me were razzing him. I defended him but my wife kept shooshing me. He came up in a close game with two guys on and laced a double to right-center to clear the bases. I asked all the geniuses for their reactions but amazingly they kept silent. Truly a shame he couldn't stay healthy, I always suspected it might be due to his slim build; not enough meat on him to protect him from injury (combined with the fact he was moving so fricking fast). Peter Edward is my all-time favorite Red, but if I had to choose a #2, Eric would be in the running. I wish him the best; he provided a lot of great memories for me. 44 magnum.

He will always be Eric the Red. Being a Reds fan, i loved this video. Thanks

Eric Davis was my favorite player as a skid. I used his whip like swing in high school. Batting coached hated it but I thought it was cool as hell.

HELL YEAH!!!! One of my favorite players. I love using him in MLB the show. Dude was epic.

First game I ever went to as a kid in Ky, was at Riverfront Stadium, with Eric Davis and Dave "The Cobra," Parker in the outfield. Davis homered I think

He was a clutch player when I use to follow him on the late 90's Orioles. Very down to earth guy also.

Great job! Only 1 omission, the year after cancer, he had one of his best 5 seasons in 1998, surpassing Derek Jeter & Nomar with nearly a .330 average (4th), he even hit 28 HR to Jeter's 19, but in typical biased fashion, Jeter finished 3rd in MVP, Davis barely cracked top 20. He was called a lot of racist names in Cincy because he didn't play every game because he went ALL OUT in the outfield and basepaths. He was, as Ripken, Rose and Paul O'Neill said, the most talented player EVER! That 47HR-98SB/162 slash line is amazing LOL

I understand why baseball doesn’t steal bases like in the 80’s.It can induce injury.But(to me) its just as fun as watching a HR..I would LOVE to see another 100 SB season in MLB

Easy HOF'er if he stays healthy but even with the injuries, that is an amazing career

This is really well done. I like how you give the players of the era, the respect they deserve. You see too many channels like this where its just nothing but insults and disgusting language, with no respect for anybody or anything. Great job my friend !

I loved this video. Davis was one of my favorites. That was around the time I fell in love with baseball.

I am a Cardinals fan the hated the Reds, yet always enjoyed watching ED play the game. He truly enjoyed it and it showed.

Man that 90's Reds team was so great. Davis and Strawberry were awesome and fun to watch. I miss baseball from the late 80's to the mid 90's.

I want to see an in depth video on Cecil Cooper and how if he had gotten the playing time in his first few years in the league, you can make a strong case he'd be in the 3000 hit club. The guy was awesome.

Is and always will be my favorite ball player.

My childhood favorite player!

“I still need to talk about Jimmy Rollins...” A Mets fan here, with PTSD: “Please don’t!”

One of the best YT baseball channels. Keep up the great work!

"the 1990 world series would mark the beginning of the end". I understand your statement being where his otherworldly ascent ended for several years, but despite the injuries that plagued him and took him out of 1 year, he returned in 1996 to have another 20HR/20SB season, and then had cancer in 1997, and came back in 1998 and had a .327 batting average with nearly 30 homers and had a 30-game hitting streak. It was more of a dark time in his career, that he showed great strength in rebounding from in becoming the undeniable Comeback Player of the year in 1996, and again in 1998 after cancer! (he hit a homer just days after chemo in the AL playoffs!)

Great stuff, I appreciate the video. Was always a huge Eric Davis fan. A truly God gifted athlete. Talk about "5 tool player". Stance & swing are legendary & as fast as anyone ever in MLB. A first ballot HOF'ER if not for injuries. I did get a chance to cheer him at the very end here in Detroit.

1990 World Series Champion 🏆 4 Game Sweep. In Game 4 Win he blew out his kidney making a diving catch. Thank Goodness REDS Won that Game 4. Would have been huge going on without him. ED 44 & Barry Larkin 11 are The GOATs. Larkin is The GOAT SS Real talk. All around Great.

He will always be THE GUY for me when I was a young lad...

My all time favorite player. He was a combo of Junior and Bonds before Junior and Bonds. Not a great average hitter but in his prime he was close to .300 and a 30/30 guy with 100 RBI's. So fast.... on his feet and with his bat. Eric the Red

I know Bonds won 4 NL MVPs in the 2000s but he's really a 90s player.

I still remember watching him dive for that ball and lacerating his kidney live. It ruined his career. What coukd have been Eric was an unbelievable talent before that for sure!

Love this video Great work Appreciate you

This is an awesome segment. 😀

This was a great video, thanks for sharing with us.

This is dope. Happy to see this

Fun fact, Davis started out as a shortstop/2nd Baseman. He really didnt start to become an outfielder until 1983 as while his hitting tools were MLB quality the Reds thought it would take too long for him to becomes an MLB quality middle infielder at the time. That said, a lot of the injuries Davis sustained were because of his reckless abandon as a center fielder. Nobody put themselves more on the line to make a play than Davis did and it cost him a good chunk of time each season he was in his prime. That's not to say that he couldnt get hurt as a middle infielder as each and every double play risks the chance of aomebody taking you out on a hard slide but still. I always respected Eric Davis as up until Griffey Jr, Davis was my generation's version of Willie Mays.

Good stuff man. Thanks for sharing 👍🏾

This video was awesome. Great tribute to my childhood hero. Thanks.

Great video! Davis' stats at the all star break in '87 were something you'd hope for from your 1st round fantasy pick over a full season.

My favorite player of all time. Also my favorite #. 44

I can't even begin to imagine how much Eric Davis would be getting paid in today's game.

Great job on the video!

Really enjoyed the video. Well done and a great summary of Eric "The Red" for us fans. Davis was one of the unique players with his approach at the plate, the way he held his hands low and then crushed the ball with an incredibly violent swing. He always seemed like he was putting 100% into every at-bat and play in the field. Being a Padres, life-long fan, I cheered for Davis because, not only was he fun to watch, but while attending junior high and high school in Florida I was able to go see a bunch of spring training games in Plant City and whenever the Reds played the Tigers in Lakeland. Back then, I used to walk with the players after the games from their training facilities to their cars, chat and ask autographs. Eric was always such a nice guy to all of the fans no matter which teams hat you were wearing. He was never accused of using PEDs and his body shape remained the same throughout his career with a little of the additional bulk a normal person gets as they age. We never heard about Eric outside of the game because he wasn't arrogant and didn't demand the spotlight nor did he ever get into legal trouble. Eric also seemed to be highly respected and loved by his teammates. If he would have remained healthy, he would have definitely been HOF worthy. He'll always remain a favorite of baseball fans.

Great video. Thank you. I was there when he hit for the cycle!

I really thought he was gonna be the first 40/40 man....had sooo much talent, just couldn't stay healthy... always was my favorite player

Great video

Davis was my hero as a kid. I played centerfield in high school, and would do his thigh slap before catching a fly ball. I tried to use his stance, and needless to say I was behind any pitcher who could throw above 70-75 MPH, but Davis was the best power-speed player in history when he was healthy.

Great job. I am a closet Reds fan from Buffalo, NY. Always had a lot of admiration for ED

My childhood baseball hero!

And now, people know where I live. Thanks, SportStorm. 😆

Awesome video

Eric Davis was so good that even Pete rose wouldn’t bet against him.

Dude was pure style!

My idol as a teen...

Eric Davis is likely the best player to not end up in the HOF thanks to those injuries. He wa simply amazing to watch play. What a talent! Sadly, if you can believe it, Reds' owner Marge Schott made him pay his own airfare back to Cincinnati after he was released from the hospital after lacerating his kidney in Gm4 since he wasn't on the team flight. Can you imagine that?

miss the 80s and Eric and Pete and my Reds!

Love the video...in my eyes thee best player I have ever seen (ok, gotta admit Straw-man nice too) - ED44 doesn't get enough respect, without question HOF talent

He gave my Metsies a hard time! That swing!!!! One of my all time greats!!!!!

I saw a stat where during a span of 162 games that Davis played, between June 1986-July 1987, Eric Davis hit .308/.406/.622, with 47 HR and 123 RBI, 149 Runs and 98 SB!!! That’s Babe Ruth and Rickey Henderson combined!

Iconic batting stance

you should make a video on Dave Parker. man should be in the HOF

Ray Lankford I always enjoyed watching. The guy struck out a lot but when he connected, that ball was cranked outta there! That and he was a great fielder and base stealer!

He was A BEAST!! Drop that card mlb the show!!

Here's another Davis I wondered about....Tommy Davis, Dodger in early 1960s.Unreal talent

His bat speed was phenomenal as well as his center field play. I loved those high top cleats he wore in the 1980s.

Unbridald power.. Eric & Darryl had some athletic unmatched power that could take a ball out the stadium. Perfect stance and swing. Must be an LA thing ⚾

I liked how he slapped his thigh when catching a fly ball. His batting stance ...both were so fucking cool.

Damn Eric Davis was a beast..... what could of been

I still think the biggest what if player is Bo Jackson, but I will agree that Eric Davis was one of the most underrated great players of all time. If he could have stayed healthy, he would have made it to Cooperstown.

Darryl strawberry and Chien Ming wang are also a massive what ifs

I'll never forget when Davis threw out Bobby Bonilla in the 1990 NLCS. Best defensive play I ever saw.

He was an amazing player. Sometimes unlimited potential is a huge curse. He got hurt because he always played 110% and got banged around.