One of the great topics in sports is comparing current players to past generations. As I watch Chris Davis play, I’m reminded of two former Orioles first basemen – Lee May and Boog Powell. The immediate comparison is their size: Chris (Crush) Davis – 6’3” 230-lb, Lee May (Big Bopper) – 6’3” 195-lb, and Boog Powell – 6’4” 230-lb.
Boog is a legend in Baltimore while May was a solid player for the Orioles during the mid-1970s to 1980. Today, Davis is one of the most polarizing players on the current roster. Keep in mind – things were different 30 years ago. There were one or two games on television a week and most of our baseball news came from the daily papers. Today between TV, internet, and 24 hours sports radio, every at bat is scrutinized.
Boog played 13 full seasons with the Orioles and averaged .266/23 HR/82 RBI and struck out once every 5.4 at bats. May played six full seasons with the Orioles and averaged .254/21/81 and struck out once every 5.1 at bats. Davis was traded to the Orioles in the middle of the 2011 season and has averaged .254/37/98 and strikes out once every 2.9 at bats.
In 2013, Davis hit .286, with 53 HRs and 138 RBI leading the majors in HRs and RBIs. We watched every at bat waiting to see where the next bomb would land. Fans were clamoring for a long-term contract and before the 2014 season, a Chris Davis action figure was announced as a giveaway at Camden Yards. “Crush” Davis had taken over Baltimore. During the offseason Davis signed a one-year $10.35 million contract.
In 2014, his numbers dipped to .196/26/72, striking out once every 2.6 at bats. At times, it looked like he was trying to hit a whiffle ball on a windy day. His season ended with a 25-game suspension for using Adderall. Davis went from being the king of the town to nearly being run out of town by the Oriole fans. During the offseason, Davis signed a one-year $12 million contract.
So here we are in 2015. Davis is a pending free agent and is having another roller coaster season. Through eleven games Davis hit .250/2/7. He had three big RBIs against the Yankees Wednesday night, and a big two-run HR in Boston on Saturday. However he has 20 strikeouts in 44 at bats and at times appears lost at the plate. It’s early but it seems like the issues Davis had at the plate last year are carrying into this year.
I don’t think anyone expected Davis to repeat his 2013 season but at the same time no one could predict the drop-off in batting average in 2014.
If you can live with the strikeouts, Davis is a plus defender with better power numbers than Powell and May. Is Davis worth the millions (and the years) the O’s will have to give him to stay in an Orioles uniform? A decision looms, and his uneven performances do little to clarify the right answer.
Player statistics taken from www.baseball-reference.com
