Eric Davis

Except for the hamstring that won't unwind, Eric Davis feels pretty good for a guy only recently back from the career-dead.The time has passed when the Orioles right fielder was ranked as the game's greatest "tool player," but he is still capable enough to be named American League Player of the Week and still intimidating enough to transform a lineup when his body allows.He's a little heavier, maybe, but still possesses one of baseball's most chiseled physiques and one of its quickest sets of hands.

August 16, 1998: Eric Davis' hitting streak ended at 30 games.

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES are not like the rest of us. They may be doubled over with stomach flu, but they still can lead their team to victory in a championship game, as Michael Jordan did recently.They win the Masters golf tournament even with the weight of the world pressing on their young shoulders, as 21-year-old Tiger Woods did earlier this spring.They attract thousands of people willing to wait in line 12 hours for a momentary glimpse and an autograph, as Cal Ripken Jr. found out at several book-signings recently.

On July 21, 2008 James Eric Davis (Eric), Eric requested that no services be held but suggested memorial contributions may be made to Mama's Kitchen, 1875 2nd Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 or The San Diego Hospice, 4311 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92191

Go ahead and ask Eric Davis about his hitting. Ask him about the three Gold Gloves he keeps at his California home and the move from center field to right and his reasons for signing with the Orioles.Just lay off the injuries.They're a dead issue, and he plans to keep it that way.Davis is healthy, and he wants that understood more than anything. The herniated disk in his neck that drove him into retirement two years ago is healed. So are the vast assortment of breaks, sprains and bruises that were spliced into what had the makings of a Hall of Fame career.

His wife turned to herbs, his mother to God. Eric Davis turned to baseball.Baseball is a game, but it is also a community. Yesterday, Eric Davis returned to the playing field. He never, however, left the community."We're all in this together," he said simply.The Fan would like to believe players when they talk about how important the fans are. But, she knows this is professional sports, big business really, and these are professional athletes. They're going to do their jobs with or without us bleeding orange and black or screaming our heads off in the stands.

Since Orioles outfielder Eric Davis' dramatic return to baseball last week following cancer surgery, fans have both marveled at the fact he is playing again so soon and wondered about the prudence of that move.Davis, 35, is back in the Orioles outfield just three months after his operation for colon cancer -- a third of his colon was removed on June 13 -- and currently in the middle of a six-month course of chemotherapy.Davis' treatment consists of three six-week sessions of drug therapy.

TORONTO -- The anniversary will pass tomorrow without celebration. Eric Davis, cancer survivor, is too busy savoring life.It was last June 13, as the Orioles opened a three-game interleague series in Atlanta, that Davis underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in which a fist-sized cancerous mass was removed from his colon. A sizable piece of healthy tissue also was sacrificed. His season appeared over. His life was uncertain.Today the surgical scar remains, but the sharp pain that once doubled him over inside the visitors' dugout at Jacobs Field has vanished.

August 16, 1998: Eric Davis' hitting streak ended at 30 games.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- New York Yankees outfielder Darryl Strawberry was found to have colon cancer yesterday and is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove a walnut-sized tumor tomorrow at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.Strawberry, 36, underwent two days of testing to find the cause of lingering intestinal discomfort. Doctors detected a spot on his colon Wednesday and conducted a colonoscopy that revealed the tumor yesterday.Club officials announced the results of the examination during a team meeting late yesterday afternoon at The Ballpark in Arlington, where the Yankees were preparing for Game 3 of their Division Series against the Texas Rangers.

CINCINNATI - As Orioles closer B.J. Ryan continues to rack up the saves this year, his total standing at 16, his value increases on the open market. And it's likely that Ryan will test it, since the two sides aren't negotiating during the season. Ryan made it clear that he wouldn't discuss a contract extension after Opening Day, fearful that the distractions would affect him on the mound. "There won't be any [negotiations]. Not during the season," he said. "We talked beforehand and made it clear that once I get here, this is my job and this is what I'll worry about.

Politicians do it all the time: target churches to reach African-Americans. But instead of wooing voters, health care advocates hope to tap into the power of black clergy to educate blacks on health problems gripping their communities. St. Agnes HealthCare and the foundation of former Orioles star and cancer survivor Eric Davis announced yesterday that they have teamed up on a three-year program to educate ministers on diseases that disproportionately affect blacks. "We are going directly to the leaders," said Angela Hunt, executive director of the Eric Davis Foundation, a nonprofit group born after the Oriole outfielder's colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 1997.

Exactly when Eric Davis' baseball career will end is unknown - "I'll retire when I'm ready. If I wake up tomorrow and want to do it, that will be it," the St. Louis Cardinals right fielder says - but what is certain is the former Oriole's dedication to spreading the word about the perilous disease he battled and beat. Tomorrow at Camden Yards, while the Orioles play the Oakland Athletics, the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center will distribute materials, answer questions and show public service announcements about the screening and early detection of colon cancer.

BaseballBraves: Promoted Dick Balderson to director of player development.Tigers: Activated C Raul Casanova from 60-day DL; he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.White Sox: Recalled OF Brian Simmons from Triple-A Charlotte. Optioned OF Jeff Liefer to Charlotte.New Jersey (Independent): Activated P Mark Lemke from DL.Team USA: Named Mariners minor-league P David Holdridge to squad for Pan American Games, replacing Baysox P Matt Riley, who withdrew.BasketballHawks: Signed G Jason Terry and F-C Cal Bowdler.

Eric Davis' two-year embrace with the Orioles officially ended Nov. 19 when he signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Davis had previously played for three other organizations, won a World Series and been recognized as one of the most gifted talents of his time. However, his career was defined during his time in Baltimore. Here, he became a transcendent figure rather than just a ballplayer. He became a survivor in the truest sense.Just as Davis became part of Baltimore's tapestry, his Baltimore experience represents a large part of his autobiography, "Born To Play: The Eric Davis Story" (Viking)

Albert Belle? Oh, why not? Bring him on, baby. Let's taunt this guy, goad him into rages demoniacal. Let's see what he can do. I think I'll get a bleacher ticket - I won't buy one, I'll get one from somebody - and, during one of those notoriously long lulls in action and noise at Camden Yards, I'll taunt him when he trots into the outfield. You know ... just to see what he does. Just to see if he comes after me. Just to see if the Orioles get their money's worth."Hey, Albert! Didja drink your Tension Tamer Tea today?"

HittingEric Davis, Orioles: 5 RBIs, HR.Rafael Palmeiro, Orioles: 4-for-4, HR.PitchingBret Saberhagen, Red Sox: 6 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits.Pub Date: 9/12/98