It was 20 years ago when the Baltimore Orioles were about to close the book on a chapter in their history — the final season at Memorial Stadium.
It was also the same year they hoped to open a new era for the franchise — the Glenn Davis era.
Orioles fans have found memories of Memorial Stadium, which represent the glory years of the organization.
They cringe at the name of Glenn Davis, who represents the worst trade in the history of the franchise.
Orioles fans can cite the three young players the franchise gave up for Davis, the Houston slugger, on Jan. 10, 1991, by heart — outfielder Steve Finley and pitchers Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling.
Finley played 19 years, slugging 304 home runs, driving in 1,167 runs, scoring 1,443 runs and accumulating 2,548 hits. Harnisch pitched 14 seasons and won 111 games. And of course there is Schilling, the legendary postseason pitcher who won 216 games and struck out 3,116 hitters over 20 seasons.
Davis, who had hit 166 home runs and driven in 518 runs over 830 games with the Astros, played in just 185 games over three seasons in Baltimore and managed just 24 home runs and 85 RBI over that time before he was out of the major leagues.
Davis, 50, now a city councilman in Columbus, Ga., understands his fateful place in the hearts of Baltimore fans. He wants them to know he understands, and wishes it could have been different. But Davis also wants fans to know that it was beyond his control. He suffered a debilitating injury that left him partially paralyzed at times.
“Everyone talks about the trade still,” Davis said. “Those were great athletes I was traded for. If the injury had never taken place, I think everyone would have been happy with the deal all the way around.”
But the deal was doomed by the bizarre nerve injury in his neck that he suffered while swinging during spring training of 1991. The injury was misdiagnosed several times and resulted in nerve and muscle damage that took years to regenerate.
“I owe the fans there because I understand the expectations that came with the trade,” Davis said. “I had some tough years there. I was never able to show my true potential. I know the fans were upset, and they booed me, but it was out of my control. It became a different game for me, from baseball to survival.”
Davis survived after being released by the Orioles, but by the time he was ready for major league baseball again, the game was on strike in 1994. He played in Japan for two years before leaving the game for good. He was known as one of the most charitable players in the game when he played and still operates a ministry with homes for abandoned and abused children. Davis also builds hotels, but is looking to get back into baseball in some sort of coaching capacity.
“I still think I have a lot to give to the game,” Davis said.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
