One of the popular promotions at Victory Field is “Signature Saturdays.” The Indianapolis Indians hosted former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis on April 26 prior to a game against the Syracuse Chiefs.
Davis had a short stint with the Indians in 1983. He appeared in 19 games with the Tribe, batting .299 (23-for-77) with 18 runs, seven homers, 19 RBIs and nine steals.
His Major League career included many accolades – a World Series championship in 1990, three Gold Glove Awards (1987, 1988, 1989), two Silver Slugger Awards (1987, 1989), two All-Star game appearances (1987, 1989), the 1997 Hutch Award, the 1997 Roberto Clemente Award and the 1996 National League Comeback Player of the Year.
I caught up with Davis before the game for a short Q&A where he weighs in on being back in Indianapolis, the changes made in baseball this year and the best advice for upcoming baseball players.
Q: What are you doing now?
A: I’m the special assistant to the General Manager for the Cincinnati Reds, so I go around and insure that our minor leaguers are doing what they are supposed to do.
Q: Is it a difficult job?
A: No, I enjoy teaching. I get a chance to teach and the most important thing that I do is I get the chance to put my uniform on. A lot of the times they sit in the stands and they bother me so I put my uniform on and relive that time from 30 years ago when I had it on.
Q: What is it like to be back in Indianapolis?
A: It’s actually cool. When I was here 31 years ago, a lot of this stuff wasn’t here, so I remember the fairgrounds, where the old stadium was and the only thing I really remember was going to Piccadilly’s. I don’t know why – it just stood out in my mind. But every time someone talks about Indianapolis, I am like “Is Piccadilly’s still there?” cause that’s where we went to go eat and have fun. But I like the way the city has grown. You look at what the Colts are doing; you look at what the Pacers have done – it’s phenomenal.
Q: What are your thoughts on some of the changes that have happened in baseball recently – instant replay and the new home plate collision rule?
A: I think that sometimes change is imminent in certain things. I think at some point we will get the replay where it will be doing the things it was meant to accomplish. If you look at it right now – I don’t know whose up there watching it – but a lot of times you can visually see it on the television, that it was this or it was that, and you don’t get the same calls. I don’t think the collision rule is going to change pretty much the catchers shouldn’t block the plate without the ball anyway. There won’t be any discrepancies until someone runs one of them over and you see somebody change the call or something. Anytime you can protect the players it’s for the best.
Q: What is the best advice you have for up-and-coming baseball players?
A: Number one, it’s not as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes sacrifice. It takes a commitment and it takes dedication. Just because you’re playing it doesn’t mean necessarily mean that you’re going to make it to the Majors – it’s not that easy. If it’s in your heart and you believe in yourself, go 110 percent.
Q: What was the best piece of advice you were given as you were coming up?
A: I just told you. [laughs as I ask, is that it?] Just stay humble. I mean, I love to play. I love the competition. I can’t speak for a lot of kids today cause I’m not in their brain. I don’t see a lot of our minor leaguers, but the ones that I do see, it’s not a total commitment of loving the competition. Everything is too technical, I mean video, anytime anyone makes an out its why he made the out. They want to look at film. It’s an instinctual game and the point of this game is anticipation and reaction. If you can’t anticipate in this game then you can’t play this game anymore.