Private Signings Results: Cincinnati Reds Legend, Eric ‘The Red’ Davis

Private Signings Results: Cincinnati Reds Legend, Eric ‘The Red’ Davis

If you know me, and you know about my collection, you know that I really try to honor the baseball heroes from my youth.  As much as I can, I really try to celebrate the careers of the players that helped shape my love for the sport as a kid that has carried me all of the way into adulthood.

As I continue to build my collection in this manner, I look for new ways to honor the guys that I cheered for as a kid.

So, when I had a chance to nab Eric Davis as a recent paid signing event, I jumped in with both feet.

And now, this beautifully signed baseball is in my collection!!

 

I’ve wanted ‘ED’ in my collection for a very long time.  He was a huge star in the mid-to-late 1980’s and into the 1990’s.  I used to love watching him track down balls in center field and run the bases with power and speed.

I opted for the #44 inscription for my ball as that is how I referred to him for a pretty long time.  When talking baseball with my buddies or pulling cards from packs, it was almost always #44 that I spoke when Davis came up.

I’m very happy to have added him to my collection.  And I think I will set this ball right next to my signed ball of his best-bud, Straw.

1987 HEADLINE: Eric Davis Joins 30/30 Club!

1987 HEADLINE: Eric Davis Joins 30/30 Club!

On this day in 1987, Eric Davis collected his 30th home run of the baseball season gaining him entrance into the ’30/30 Club’.

The landmark homer that put him into this elite status came in just his third major league season.  And with his raw ability at the plate and uncanny speed on the base paths, Davis had many fans thinking ’40/40′ was in his near future.

Officially, Davis completed the 1987 baseball season with 37 home runs and 50 steals.  1987 was the most well-rounded offensive season of his career, and he would never reach the ’30/30′ mark again.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Davis!!!

Happy Birthday Eric Davis!!!

Happy Birthday Eric Davis!!!

Amazingly, Eric Davis turns 52 years old today!!!

Wow, I remember the hype around Eric Davis as he began his career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was a ‘5-Tool player’ that could do it all and he was going to rescue the Reds franchise and deliver them back to baseball glory. Davis had the speed, power, charisma, and personality to carry the franchise to the promised land!!!

After 7 remarkable seasons with the Reds that were littered with All-star appearances, Gold Glove trophies, Silver Slugger awards, and even a World Series championship, Davis was on his way to becoming one of the games biggest stars. Talk about becoming baseball’s second ’40/40 Man’ was a daily occurrence in baseball circles. As one of the game’s premier players, ‘Eric The Red’ was riding high.

Unfortunately, a terrible string of injuries and then an unfortunate battle with cancer stalled Davis’ ability to dominate the game. This 1-time hero became just a regular role player. On occasion, Davis gave us more memorable moments to add to his impressive highlight reel, but he was never able to recapture and string together seasons of success like he had in the late 1980’s when he was on top of the baseball world.

Happy Birthday Mr. Davis. You are remembered fondly!!!

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Eric Davis

2013 Topps Archives ‘Tallboys’ Subset – Eric Davis

With the new 2013 Topps Archives baseball card set release, the ‘Mini Tallboys’ subset is easily one of the best parts of the issue.

The cards from this subset offer a very basic, but throwback feel that screams vintage. The set is 40 cards deep and offers a nice mixture of current players, stars from the 1980′s, and Hall of Fame legends.

This is the Eric Davis card from the set:

 

One of my favorite outfielders from the 1980’s, there was nothing that Eric Davis could not do.  His blend of extreme speed on the base paths and explosive bat speed made him a threat each and every time he went to the plate.

Tough injuries and battles with cancer derailed and shortened Davis’ major league career.  And while he still had a very good career, including winning the 1990 World Series, the end of his playing days left many of his fans feeling as if he could have accomplished quite a bit more had he been healthy for his whole career.

1987 HEADLINE: Eric Davis Joins 30/30 Club!

1987 HEADLINE: Eric Davis Joins 30/30 Club!

On this day in 1987, Eric Davis collected his 30th home run of the baseball season gaining him entrance into the ’30/30 Club’.

The landmark homer that put him into this elite status came in just his third major league season.  And with his raw ability at the plate and uncanny speed on the base paths, Davis had many fans thinking ’40/40′ was in his near future.

Officially, Davis completed the 1987 baseball season with 37 home runs and 50 steals.  1987 was the most well-rounded offensive season of his career, and he would never reach the ’30/30′ mark again.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Davis!!!

Happy Birthday Eric Davis!!!

Happy Birthday Eric Davis!!!

Amazingly, Eric Davis turns 51 years old today!!!

Wow, I remember the hype around Eric Davis as he began his career with the Cincinnati Reds. He was a ‘5-Tool player’ that could do it all and he was going to rescue the Reds franchise and deliver them back to baseball glory. Davis had the speed, power, charisma, and personality to carry the franchise to the promised land!!!

After 7 remarkable seasons with the Reds that were littered with All-star appearances, Gold Glove trophies, Silver Slugger awards, and even a World Series championship, Davis was on his way to becoming one of the games biggest stars. Talk about becoming baseball’s second ’40/40 Man’ was a daily occurrence in baseball circles. As one of the game’s premier players, ‘Eric The Red’ was riding high.

Unfortunately, a terrible string of injuries and then an unfortunate battle with cancer stalled Davis’ ability to dominate the game. This 1-time hero became just a regular role player. On occasion, Davis gave us more memorable moments to add to his impressive highlight reel, but he was never able to recapture and string together seasons of success like he had in the late 1980’s when he was on top of the baseball world.

Happy Birthday Mr. Davis. You are remembered fondly!!!

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star Send-In

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star Send-In

Now that my Eric Davis player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #1 – 1988 Topps Glossy All-Star Send-In

As you all know, my preference is to collect the players that impacted my love for the game during my youth.  That also means celebrating the baseball cards from that time.

One of the unique things that Topps did back in the 1980 was offer the chance to obtain limited edition cards and sets of cards that could only be purchased directly through them.  Tagged as ‘Send-In’ sets, you had to send in wrappers from the packs you opened as well as a small shipping and handling fee for the cards – but it was well worth it.

The Send-In cards offered a very unique look for a Topps baseball card.  They actually had a postcard vibe to them with their glossy fronts and cardboard-textured backs.  And while the design of the backs were extremely limited, the fronts were superb!!!

Great images, clear photos, and bright colors!!!

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1989 Topps

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1989 Topps

Now that my Eric Davis player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #2 – 1989 Topps

I firmly believe that the 1989 Topps baseball card set is one of the most underrated issues from the decade.

The set offers a very classic design and a nice team name and player name graphic.  The placement of the graphic allows for a large image to take center stage as the card’s main feature.  Lastly, it is the images team-colored border that ties it all together to complete what I believe is one of the best looking base card designs from the decade.

And yes, this card of Eric Davis is one of my favorites from the set – great color, supreme image selection, and a crisp and clean look!

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1990 Donruss “Baseball’s Best”

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1990 Donruss “Baseball’s Best”

Now that my Eric Davis player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #3 – 1990 Donruss Baseball’s Best

A lot of baseball cards issued of Davis while playing for the Reds show him in a similar position – coiled at the plate and ready to attack.

During his major league career, Davis had one of the most talked about and imitated batting stances in the sport.  His ability to spring into the ball using his hips, shoulders, and wrists allowed to generate amazing bat speed and launch a lot of line drives.

Of all of the cards that make up my newly completed Eric Davis player collection, this one stands out.  The Bright Blue border allows for the image of Davis to really stand leap from the card’s surface.

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1990 Topps

Eric Davis ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1990 Topps

Now that my Eric Davis player collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #4 – 1990 Topps

While I am not a huge fan of the 1990 Topps baseball card design, I will admit that the sets does offer a few eye-catching cards in which the border design does not take away from the large image being presented.  I believe that the Eric Davis card fits into that group and I love the shot that was used for the card.  He is in the midst of a mighty swing at Shea Stadium and if I had to guess, he may have just connected for one of his 282 career home runs!