RetroSimba

Eric Davis, who conquered cancer, convinced the Cardinals he could help them as an inspirational and productive player.

On Nov. 19, 1998, Davis, a free-agent outfielder, signed with the Cardinals for two years at $8 million.

Davis, 36, was acquired to provide run production, defense and clubhouse leadership for an underachieving Cardinals club. Even with Mark McGwire clouting 70 home runs, the Cardinals finished 83-79, 19 wins fewer than the division champion Astros, in 1998.

A year earlier, in May 1997, Davis was diagnosed with colon cancer, had a portion of his colon removed and underwent months of chemotherapy. Remarkably, Davis returned to the Orioles in September 1997 and played well in the last weeks of the season. In 1998, Davis performed like a player in his prime, producing a 30-game hitting streak and batting .327 with 28 home runs and 89 RBI for the Orioles.

A star is born

Davis made his major-league debut with the Reds on May 19, 1984, against the Cardinals and soon displayed a special combination of power and speed. His first big-league hit was a triple off Dave LaPoint.

In 1986, Davis had 27 home runs and 80 stolen bases for the Reds. Over the next three seasons, 1987-89, Davis won three Gold Glove awards and excelled on offense, too. He produced 37 home runs, 100 RBI and 50 steals in 1987, 26 home runs, 93 RBI and 35 steals in 1988, and 34 home runs, 101 RBI and 21 steals in 1989.

The Reds won the National League pennant in 1990 and advanced to the World Series against manager Tony La Russa’s American League champion Athletics. In Game 4, with the Reds on the verge of a sweep, Davis suffered a lacerated kidney when he dived for a drive by Willie McGee.

After that, Davis experienced a series of injuries and setbacks. The Reds traded him to the Dodgers after the 1991 season. Two years later, on July 24, 1993, Davis was with Vince Coleman when the former Cardinal tossed a powerful explosive device into a parking lot and injured three people. A month later, the Dodgers dealt Davis to the Tigers.

In 1994, Davis underwent surgery for a herniated disc in his neck and voluntarily sat out the 1995 season. In 1996, he made a successful comeback with the Reds, hitting 26 home runs, and became a free agent after the season, signing with the Orioles.

Profile in courage

On June 13, 1997, Davis had surgery for colon cancer. He returned to the Orioles on Sept. 15, 1997, while still undergoing weekly chemotherapy and hit .310 in eight games that month, helping the club secure a berth in the postseason.

Davis’ courageous return in 1997 positioned him for more achievements in 1998. The 1998 Orioles were loaded with hitters such as Cal Ripken Jr., Roberto Alomar, Rafael Palmeiro and Harold Baines. Davis led the club in batting average (.327), on-base percentage (.388) and slugging percentage (.582).

Baltimore Sun columnist John Eisenberg called Davis “a positive and inspirational leader in a sour clubhouse.”

Davis expressed interest in staying with the Orioles, but wanted $8 million for two years. The Orioles offered him two years at $5.6 million, the Sun reported.

“They were either forcing me to leave, or to come in at a lower salary than I deserved,” Davis said. “I wasn’t looking forward to leaving Baltimore, but it became clear I wasn’t part of their thinking.”

Meet me in St. Louis

Davis told his agent the Cardinals would be one of his top choices if they showed interest. The Cardinals, looking to restructure their outfield, gave Davis what he wanted.

The Cardinals “are getting one of baseball’s best guys,” declared the Sun.

Davis said he was glad he’d be playing for La Russa, who left the Athletics after the 1995 season to manage the Cardinals, and joining a lineup with players such as McGwire and Ray Lankford.

“Their interest is winning now,” Davis explained to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I’m 36 years old. I can’t be part of rebuilding.”

On the day the Cardinals signed Davis, they also traded outfielder Ron Gant and pitchers Jeff Brantley and Cliff Politte to the Phillies for pitchers Ricky Bottalico and Garrett Stephenson. With Gant gone and outfielder Brian Jordan soon to depart as a free agent, the Cardinals projected a 1999 outfield of Davis in right, J.D. Drew in center and Lankford in left.

“Anybody that knows about hard work, dedication, sacrifice and adversity, who better than I?” Davis said. “I’ve proven my leadership qualities over the years.”

Finishing strong

On June 25, 1999, Davis made two diving catches to help Jose Jimenez preserve a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks, but damaged his left shoulder. Boxscore The injury caused Davis to sit out the last three months of the season and he underwent surgery to repair a torn left rotator cuff. In 58 games for the 1999 Cardinals, Davis hit .257 with 30 RBI and the club finished 75-86.

From the start, Davis’ second season with the Cardinals was more successful than the first. On April 3, 2000, in the Cardinals’ season opener against the Cubs at St. Louis, Davis hit a home run. Boxscore

A month later, on May 7, 2000, Davis hit a grand slam off Denny Neagle of the Reds at Cincinnati. Boxscore

As the designated hitter against the White Sox at Chicago, Davis produced the only five-hit game of his major-league career on July 15, 2000. Boxscore

With Lankford in left, Jim Edmonds in center and Davis platooning with Drew in right, the Cardinals finished 95-67 and won a division title. Davis hit .303 with 40 RBI in 92 games for the 2000 Cardinals. He batted .390 against left-handers and .321 with runners in scoring position.

After the Cardinals were eliminated in the National League Championship Series versus the Mets, Davis became a free agent, signed with the Giants and played his final season for them in 2001.