Born to Play : The Eric Davis Story

by Eric Davis

The motivation behind most sports biographies is more inspiration than revelation, but in Davis's case the two fit like hand in the outsized fielder's glove he's wielded so brilliantly in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Detroit, Baltimore, and now St. Louis. Indeed, each chapter is a mixture of memoir and pep talk divided under the subheads of "Adversity/Blessing" and "Strategy/Life Lesson."

The real surprise is how compelling Davis's life and life lessons have been even beyond his storied battle with and return from colon cancer, an odyssey that arced from doubt and despair to Comeback Player of the Year. Like his great buddy Darryl Strawberry, he managed to survive growing up in the gang country of Los Angeles--a feat in itself--fueling his big dreams with enormous talent. An extraordinary junction of faith, speed, power, and dedication took him to the Majors with a "Can't Miss" weight on his shoulders, but injuries detoured the great promise. Davis, doggedly persistent, shares what he's drawn from that with insight and humility instead of bitterness or regret. "It's important to see things as they are as well as how you wish they could be," he writes simply. It's a most valuable reminder in any pursuit. --Jeff Silverman

Genres: Baseball, Sports

Library Binding

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am biased...Eric Davis is my favorite player of all time.

His story does not have to be read by only lovers of baseball. From youth to pro all-star to returning from cancer, Davis covers his life being driven by a game. There are times he almost asks for you to feel sorry for him, but he played the hand he was dealt.

[Kevin Hinebaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. Eric Davis was one of my favorite players, and I learned a lot about him in his autobiography. I think maybe I wish he would've waited longer to write it so he had a broader perspective on his life and career? I feel he was still in the midst of playing, so his confidence and ego came across strongly. Which I'm sure is necessary to have to stay in the big leagues. But it was a tad off-putting. And I don't think that is Eric's true heart. But what do I know?

Also not a fan of the way the book was laid out. Bouncing back and forth for reasons I couldn't grasp. Regardless, I'm glad I read it, and I'm a bigger fan of Eric than I was before I read it.

[Tom Gase · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is no "me" in Eric Davis. But there is a couple of I's.

I knew I was in trouble with finishing this book only 10 pages into it. There is just too many "me, me, me, me, me" portions of this book. It is a little outdated, but he (Davis) basically keeps comparing himself to Willie Mays. He also rips a lot of his teammates and there are more contradictory statements made by Davis than you can possibly imagine. I thought reading a book on Eric the Red would be great, especially for $2.98 in the bargain bin, but I would gladly ask for my money back if I could. Davis says that nothing in life can keep him down, but then goes out and constantly makes excuses about him stinking up the joint with the Dodgers and why his batting average was so low for his career. He goes as far as to say what his batting average is while hurt, and while it is not. Suprisingly, every year he did well he was not hurt. Every year he stunk, he wasn't. Big shocker.

Look, the fact that Davis is a cancer survivor and inspires thousands of people every day because he fought the disease is awesome. He is deep down a good person in that regard. But that has nothing to do with my review. My review is of the book, not the person. He gets five stars as a person, but the book gets one star only because I can't give none. Only read this if you are an absolute die-hard fan of Eric Davis. Or Ocho Cinco. Or Randy Moss. Or Terrell Owens.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

From All-Star games to oncology units, Eric Davis shares the powerful story of his impressive will to survive and succeed An incredibly talented athlete from the tough streets of South Central LA, Eric Davis went on to become a crucial part of a World Series Champion team (Cincinnati, 1990), a World Series contending team (Baltimore, 1997), an All Star, a "phenom" featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated under the headline "Smash Hit."

In this richly detailed biography, Eric tells the story of the man behind the uniform. Again and again, Eric has confounded the skeptics who thought he wouldn't get out of the ghetto, wouldn't become a star player, wouldn't come back from injuries, and most recently, that he wouldn't survive cancer. Fueled by strong faith, a loving family, and almost superhuman power to see the good in adversity, Eric has again and again exceeded all expectations.

Along with the triumphs, have come overwhelming tragedies as he watched his beloved older brother join a gang, fall prey to the streets, and die just as Eric was battling cancer. All Americans--particularly baseball fans, people whose lives have been touched by cancer, Christians, African Americans--will relate to Eric's story. In the tradition of The Natural and Dave Dravecky's Comeback, Born to Play is an inspiring story of determination, courage, and hope.

[Matt Kratz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about Davis, his baseball career, and dealings with injuries and cancer. This was a good autobiography.