.gif)
Chris Davis (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
Professional career
Chris Davis was originally drafted by the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 50th round of the 2004 MLB Draft but did not sign. Davis was once again drafted, by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, in the 2005 MLB Draft, however he did not sign. Davis was then drafted again this time by the Texas Rangers in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of Navarro Junior College (TX).
2008
On June 26, , the Rangers called up Davis from Triple-A OklahomaOklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
, and that day he made his major league debut in a game against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, getting a hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in his first Major League at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
. Davis started his first Major League game at first base on June 27, 2008, and hit his first Major League home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
during the game. He also homered the next day, becoming the first Texas Ranger to homer in both of his first two Major League starts.
By virtue of his hot start with the Rangers, and his considerable power as a batter, Davis was dubbed "Crush Davis" by local media and fans (a play on "Crash Davis" from the movie Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
).
2009
After striking out in 30% of his at bats in 2008, Davis led all players in strikeouts during spring training, with 26 in 79 at bats, though he batted .304. He hit a milestone when he struck out for the 100th time in 2009 in his 219th at bat, the fewest at bats that a player has needed to reach the 100-strikeout mark.On July 5, Davis was optioned to the minors to make room for Josh Hamilton who was coming off the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. He was batting only .202 with 114 strikeouts, but did have 15 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 258 at bats.
When Davis returned to the majors, his numbers improved dramatically, hitting .318 in September and October, with five home runs and 21 RBIs in the two-month span.
2010
Davis would once again be optioned to Triple-A after starting 20102010 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers’ 2010 season was the 50th in franchise history. The team, managed by Ron Washington, won their first division title since 1999 and reached the World Series for the first time in only their fourth playoff appearance. Washington would become only the second manager in franchise...
batting .188/.264/.292 in 15 games and 48 at-bats. He was recalled on July 9, 2010 to play first base for the Rangers. A roster spot and spot in the Rangers starting lineup became available when Justin Smoak
Justin Smoak
Justin Kyle Smoak is an American Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.-High school career:...
was involved in a trade that sent him to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for pitchers Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
and Mark Lowe
Mark Lowe
Mark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
.
2011
Davis was called up from Triple-A to play for the Rangers when Josh Hamilton suffered a fracture of the humerus bone in his shoulder.Baltimore Orioles
On July 30th, 2011, Davis was traded with pitcher Tommy HunterTommy Hunter (baseball)
Raymond Thomas "Tommy" Hunter is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles....
to the Baltimore Orioles for reliever Koji Uehara
Koji Uehara
is a Major League Baseball Japanese right-handed relief pitcher. He is currently a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers.Uehara throws a high-80s four-seam fastball and a solid forkball as his primary pitches...
.