Crushers’ Andrew Davis Playing For A Second Chance

Andrew Davis runs to and from his position each inning for the like a man on a mission.

The former Kent State University star knows that some big-league scout may be watching his every move. He doesn’t want to leave anything to chance.

"There’s a real fine line between this league and upper levels of the minors," said Davis, in his third season with Avon's team in the independent Frontier League. "I’ve played both with and against players who are now in the big leagues. This is not to say that they do not deserve it, but I’ve played right there with them, competed on an even level."

So Close, Yet So Far

Davis played two seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization before being part of the Crushers’ 2009 championship team. He enjoyed winning it all his first year with the Crushers, but had mixed emotions watching the Giants win the World Series last year.

"I had some former teammates playing for the Giants and I was rooting for them," Davis said. "At the same time, the Giants released me. It is not that I have hard feelings or anything, but then again … Let’s just say the cool thing is seeing some of my former teammates in the big leagues. Manny Burriss, my teammate at Kent State, is with the Giants. Andy Sonnanstine from Kent State started for the (Tampa Bay) Rays in the 2008 World Series. I want to see them do well."

Davis isn’t quite sure why the Giants released him just before the start of the 2009 season.

"I have to admit, it is confusing at times," he said. "All I can do is keep trying my best and hope that somebody will give me a chance."

Crushers manager John Massarelli is surprised some organization hasn’t called Davis.

"He should be at least at the Double-A or Triple-A right now," Massarelli said. "He’s one of the most feared players in our league, a big-game player who can beat you on both sides of the ball. He plays third base on a big-league level. We’re happy to have him."

A Winning Tradition

Davis' big-game style saved the Crushers in Game 4 of the 2009 Championship Series against the River City Rascals when his grand slam helped Lake Erie win to tie the series, then win it all in Game 5. He was named the series' most valuable player.

It was Davis' fourth straight championship. He helped Kent State win the Mid-American Conference in 2006, then was on pennant-winning teams for two seasons in the minors before bringing a title to Lorain County with the Crushers.

Massarelli would be delighted if Davis got another chance with a big-league organization, even if it cost the Crushers one of their best players.

"That’s what we’re here for," Massarelli said. "You better believe I’d be the first to give a kid congratulations. We’re all working for that to happen."

Once again this year, Davis is among the league leaders. Through his first 21 games, he hit .308 with three homers, 10 doubles and 20 RBI. That includes a .412 average with men on base.

In 2009, he hit .327 with 15 homers, 74 runs and 68 RBI in 95 games to help the Crushers win the championship. A year ago, he batted .285 with 10 homers and 61 RBI.

Love of the Game

Playing baseball is much more than posting individual numbers to Davis, however.

"I’ve always loved the game, loved to play it," he said. "I’m not sure why, but it has always been the thing to do for me. I’ve never had anybody telling me I had to play. I definitely want to keep playing baseball for as long as I can.

"There’s two reasons for that. One is, I’m not ready to go get a real job. Two, I’ve completed school. I've got a degree in sports management from Kent State, so I'm done with college."

Davis vividly remembers the day he was drafted, even though he nearly slept through the most exciting part of it.

"It was cool, funny and crazy all at the same time," he said. "I was sleeping in, because I had just gone home (to Kingston, Ohio, near Chillicothe) from college. My girlfriend called and said I needed to take a look at the draft to see if I would get picked. I figured that if my name did get called, it would be in the 20s, 30s (rounds) or maybe even the last one (50th).

"But I got on the computer and it was the 11th round, so I started looking for guys that I knew. It went into the 12th round and I’m looking around and all of a sudden it pops up on my screen that the Giants have selected Andrew Davis of Kent State. That was so crazy. I just stared at the screen. Ten minutes later, I got a call from them."

Davis enjoyed his brief time in the Giants organization and is mystified as to why it wasn't a longer stay. He hit .262 over 193 games of Class A ball. Not great, but certainly better than a lot of players.

"I thought I played well enough," he said. "You are never satisfied. There is always room for improvement in every area. I was really surprised when I was released. I didn’t expect it to happen, but at the same time I had a strange feeling that I can’t describe. But I was definitely surprised. I was told my a couple managers that I was the best third baseman in the Giants’ system. From what I saw, I thought I was at least in the top half of the guys they had.

"I don’t know what it was. Nobody ever said anything other than, ‘We can’t find a job for you and we’re sorry but we are releasing you.’ Then they asked me to sign some papers for my release.

"Maybe they were looking for more power from a third baseman, I don’t know."

Davis totaled only eight home runs, but did drive in 102 and had 42 doubles. He's increased his power output with the Crushers, who quickly signed him.

"It wasn’t even 24 hours, and I heard from Maz (Massarelli)," Davis said. "I got released on Thursday night and he called me Friday morning. I didn’t recognize the number that popped up on my phone, so I didn’t even take the call and went back to sleep.

"He kept calling. He had told me when I was in college and he was with the Washington organization, that if I didn’t get drafted and I wanted to play, that he wanted me over there."

Happy, But Not Giving Up

Davis feels comfortable playing for the Crushers, even though he dreams of getting back with a major-league organization.

"I like playing here," he said. "It’s close enough to home that family and friends can come and watch. It’s nice here. A good ballpark.

"I still have the dream. I think my power has increased the past couple of years. I’m hitting a lot of doubles. They want me to play second base, I can play second. I can play short, too. I’m going to keep going out there and giving it all I have."

Davis also can pitch. Massarelli recently used him for one inning in a game. The Crushers manager did it one time last year, too.

Davis was a part-time pitcher at Kent State his first two years, but the Golden Flashes needed his bat and glove in the lineup every day. In his first two years of college ball, he went a combined 4-1 with seven saves and a 2.86 ERA in 23 outings, 21 of them in relief. He hit .331 as a freshman, .302 as a sophomore. Switched full-time to playing the infield, he batted .376 and .328 his final two years of college.

It may be too late for Davis to go back to the mound, but don't tell him that. After all, he's not ready to give up on the game he loves.