E.D. 44 Magnum is the MAN!
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When I was 10 years old I went to a Mets/Reds Game at Shea Stadium. After the game was over I was standing outside the player's exit area and a new rookie named Eric Davis came out of the door. I could only tell he was a player and I had no clue what his name was. It was "bat day" that day and I asked this man to sign my bat. He signed it 'Eric Davis' and stopped to ask me some questions about myself which I wasn't thinking he would...I figured a bigshot ball player would sign their autograph quickly and move on. Being only 10 years old, I had never encountered any type of person in the public eye such as a celebrity or major league ball player. I then followed Eric everyday in the papers. When I met him, he was just up from the Minors and hadn't gotten any notice yet. I took such pleasure following him and seeing him excel in the game. My parents would mail me box scores of the Reds' games when I was in sleepaway camp over the summer. I still remember getting excited when following Eric in the summer of 87 when he was on fire. This book gives the reader an idea of what a warm person Eric is. His courageous struggle through cancer and his triumphant return to the game are simply amazing. I hope that Eric reads this one day, and realizes that a fan from the age of 10 (27 now) still follows and admires him. From reading the book, I agree with one of the other reviewers that said that after reading the book, they weren't just a fan of Eric Davis, the baseball player, but they were a fan of the person.
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Excuses galore
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This has got to be the worst autobiography that I have ever read. He makes excuse after excuse about why he couldn't perform up to his capabilities. He blames his managers, the front office, and of course his injuries for his lack of production. What a waste of paper! He ends the book by acting as if he's going to produce big time for the St. Louis Cardinals after he signs with them to close out the book. Well, he spent 2 seasons in St. Louis and didn't do much. I bet he's got an excuse for that also. Maybe it was Tony LaRussa's fault? I think he's courageous for battling cancer, but his excuses get old after you read one excuse after another.
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Two Pros Plate A Winner
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Eric Davis and Ralph Wiley team up to bring us Life Its Ownself (to borrow from Dan Jenkins). They are as formidable a team as they are individuals. Davis has such an incredible attitude, maybe even greater than his incredible athleticism, both of which must be gifts from his terrific family. I do recall that autumn of '97, sitting in the 3rd deck of the Kingdome and watching as Davis stepped in against Randy Johnson. When he bounced one over the infield for a base hit and another Oriole run, I quietly applauded the man's seemingly bottomless supply of strength and courage. I had no idea at the time, just how much energy chemotherapy takes from the patient. I do know now, and I now know that my hero is an even bigger, better man than he is a baseball player. And that says quite a lot.
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For every ED fan.
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I thought the book was good. I think I give it four stars because I'm such an Eric Davis fan. It is interesting finding out who ED feels are/were the great ones of the game (and he certainly has no problem including himself in subtle, yet frequent references). Still, even with the typos, run-ons, and repetitive sentences, I reccomend it for any Reds fan. You gotta tip your cap to the man and what he has overcome and still play the game (and well). ED will always be one of those guys you have to watch when he's at bat because if you don't, you just might miss something great.
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A great story!
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I bought this book because I am a fan of Eric Davis, the baseball player. After reading it, I am a bigger fan of Eric Davis, the man.
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