Most people probably don't know who Jody Davis is unless they are a hard core basbeball fan and watched many games in the 1980's and/or if they are a Cubs fan in their late 30's or older. .Jody Davis was my childhood hero. He played in the major leagues from 1981-1990 and was a Chicago Cub from 1981-1988.
Number 7 is my lucky number and the same jersey number I wore my whole life playing hockey and baseball. It also happens to be the same number Jody wore, and on my 7th birthday in 1987, my Dad gave me a present and memory that will last with me forever.
My Dad got front row tickets behind the Cubs dugout and he took me, my grandpa, and my best buddy. We got to Wrigley Field early to see batting practice in hope of getting some autographs as you can see in the picture above.
While my hero is standing in front of me, signing the Cubs scorecard, I say to him, " Hey Jody, it's my birthday, do you think you could hit a homer for me?"
Talk about putting pressure on a ballplayer. . 7 year old kid expecting a home run as a birthday present. . :)
Jody looked back at me and my grandpa with a slightly shocked look coupled with a smile, and said, " I will sure try kid.". . .
Jody comes to the plate for his first at bat and WHAM! The guy hits a towering drive into the bleachers at Wrigley Field. I was ecstatic, thinking to myself, "Jody Davis just hit a home run for ME!" As Jody rounded 3rd base, with a smile, he looked over and pointed at us in the first row and I don't think I stopped grinning for days. My hero had hit a home run at my request. This sealed the deal. My baseball God etched something in my memory bank that I will NEVER forget. The story gives me goosebumps to even recall 31 years later.
Jody Davis had a lifetime batting average of .245, with 490 RBI's and was a two time All-Star. He won a Gold Glove in 1986.
He also has 127 lifetime home runs. . . and one of them was for me. . . I will never forget it.
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