Editing Doug Davis (pitcher)

{{short description|American baseball player (born 1975)}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image       = Doug Davis 2011.jpg
| image_size  = 240px
| caption     = Davis with the Chicago Cubs
| name        = Doug Davis
| position    = [[Pitcher]]
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|9|21}}
| birth_place = [[Sacramento, California]], U.S.
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Left
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = August 9
| debutyear   = 1999
| debutteam   = Texas Rangers
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=June 28
|finalyear=2011
|finalteam=Chicago Cubs
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
| stat1value  = 92–108
| stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
| stat2value  = 4.44
| stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s
| stat3value  = 1,279
| teams       = 
* [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|1999}}–{{mlby|2003}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2003}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2003}}–{{mlby|2006}})
* [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2007}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2010}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2011}})
}}
'''Douglas N. Davis''' (born September 21, 1975) is an American former professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], [[Toronto Blue Jays]], [[Milwaukee Brewers]], [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], and [[Chicago Cubs]].

==Youth==
Davis was born in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], California, and went to [[Northgate High School (Walnut Creek, California)|Northgate High School]] in [[Walnut Creek, California]], where he played football and baseball. He was [[1993 Major League Baseball Draft|drafted]] by the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] following his senior year in high school, but did not sign.<ref name="brtrans">{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davisdo02.shtml#TRANS |title=Doug Davis Transactions |access-date=December 10, 2008|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>

==College==
Davis attended [[Diablo Valley College]] after high school and played baseball. He later attended the [[City College of San Francisco]], where he earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a pitcher in his junior season.

==Minor league career==
Davis was drafted by the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] in the 10th round of the [[1996 Major League Baseball Draft]].<ref name="brtrans"/> 

Davis began his minor league career for the Texas Rangers rookie league affiliate, the Gulf Coast Rangers, in 1996 where he went 3–1 with a 1.90 [[Earned run average|ERA]] in 8 games and 42 innings. In 1997 Davis started his season with the Gulf Coast Rangers going 3–1 with a 1.70 ERA in 4 games before being promoted to the High-A Charlotte Rangers where he spent the rest of 1998 and 1998, going 16–10 over that period.

In 1999, Davis began the season in AA Tulsa posting an impressive 2.42 ERA over 74{{fraction|1|3}} innings with a record of 4–4, which earned him a promotion to the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks where he finished the season with a 7–0 record, 3.00 ERA. Davis made his major league debut in 1999, and then spent time between AAA and the Major Leagues from 1999 to 2003 before becoming a full-time major league player, going 17–6 during that period.

==Major league career==

===Texas Rangers===
Davis made his MLB debut on August 9, 1999, for the Rangers, appearing in only 2 games. Davis pitched out of the [[bullpen]] for the majority of the season while also making 13 starts. He also threw a complete game against the Red Sox on August 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/2000-08-21/sports/25593555_1_nelson-cruz-frank-catalanotto-texas-rangers|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140319062356/http://articles.philly.com/2000-08-21/sports/25593555_1_nelson-cruz-frank-catalanotto-texas-rangers|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 19, 2014|title=Archives - Philly.com|website=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> Davis was inserted into the Rangers rotation,{{When|date=May 2018}} making 30 starts. He finished 11–10 in 186 innings.

Davis' 2002 season was cut short due to injury, managing to make just 10 starts for the Rangers. In 2003, Davis only made 1 start, pitching 3 innings while allowing 4 runs.

===Toronto Blue Jays===
Davis was claimed off waivers on April 30 by the Blue Jays. He started 11 games for them, going 4–6 with a 5.00 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/015fa615fd271e52a81da08c28f7877d|title=Blue Jays Claim Doug Davis Off Waivers|website=www.apnewsarchive.com}}</ref>

===Milwaukee Brewers===
Davis signed with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] after becoming a free agent in mid-July. He made 5 starts in Triple-A before being called up on August 11, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=2339347|title=Doug Davis Promoted To Milwaukee - OurSports Central|website=www.oursportscentral.com|date=August 11, 2003 }}</ref> On September 19, he allowed a home run to Hall of Fame pitcher [[Randy Johnson]], the only home run of Johnson's career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/doug-davis-remembers-clearly-home-run-served-up-to-randy-johnson-in-2003/c-105852172|title=Davis clearly remembers homer served up to Big Unit|website=MLB.com|date=January 7, 2015 }}</ref>

Davis was an anchor for the Brewers in 2004. He had career bests in all pitching categories, notching 12 wins while allowing a career low 14 home runs.

Davis continued with the Brewers in 2005, going 11–11 with a 3.84 ERA.

On [[Mother's Day (United States)|Mother's Day]], May 14, 2006, Davis was one of more than 50 batters who brandished a [[pink bat]] to benefit the [[Susan G. Komen for the Cure|Breast Cancer Foundation]]. Davis made a brief appearance in 2005 as a potential home buyer on the [[A&E (TV channel)|A&E]] television program [[Flip This House]] episode "It's a Rat Race".

He finished the 2006 season 11–11 with a 4.91 ERA and 102 walks.

===Arizona Diamondbacks===
On November 25, 2006, Davis was traded to the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] along with pitcher [[Dana Eveland]] and outfielder [[Dave Krynzel]], for catcher [[Johnny Estrada]], and pitchers [[Greg Aquino]] and [[Claudio Vargas]].<ref name="brtrans"/> The Diamondbacks and Doug Davis agreed to a three-year, $22&nbsp;million deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070118&content_id=1782087&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610115428/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070118&content_id=1782087&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 10, 2011 |title=Davis, D-backs agree to new deal Southpaw avoids arbitration with three-year contract |access-date=December 10, 2008|last=Frazier  |first=Lindsey|date=January 19, 2007 |work=MLB.com}}</ref>

In his first season for the Diamondbacks, Davis went 13–12 with a 4.25 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 192{{fraction|2|3}} innings.

[[File:DSC03662 Doug Davis.jpg|300px|thumb|Davis pitching for the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in 2008.]]
On July 29, 2008, Davis took a perfect game into the bottom of the 7th inning at [[Petco Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280729125&action=playvideo&hcmp=motion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010095918/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280729125&action=playvideo&hcmp=motion|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2018|author=ESPN|title=Davis' bid for perfect game broken up in seventh as D-backs blank Padres|access-date=July 30, 2008|date=July 29, 2008}}</ref> Davis' 2008 season was cut short due to injury, making 26 starts, and finishing with a record of 6–8.

On August 12, 2009, Davis' former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, put a waiver claim on him, but he was not traded.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/53086877.html |title=Claim put in on Davis |access-date=August 13, 2009 |publisher=JSOnline.com}}</ref> Davis ended the season with a 9–14 record, with a 4.12 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. He tied for the major league lead in errors by a pitcher with 5, and also led the league in walks with 103.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/position/p/sort/errors/count/39/qualified/true/order/false "MLB Player Fielding Stats – As p – 2009," ''ESPN'', accessed October 6, 2009]</ref>

===Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)===
On January 22, 2010, Davis signed a one-year contract with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] for $4.25&nbsp;million in 2010, with a $6.5&nbsp;million mutual option for 2011 with a $1&nbsp;million buyout.<ref>McCalvy, Adam. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100125113256/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100122&content_id=7956744&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil Davis signs for second stint with Brewers], [[MLB.com]]. Published January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2010.</ref> Davis endured a rough season in 2010, making only 8 starts and going 1–4 with a 7.51 ERA. He spent most of the season on the [[disabled list]]. His option was declined after the season.

===Chicago Cubs===
On April 12, 2011, Davis signed a minor league contract with the [[Chicago Cubs]], stipulating that if he were to join the Cubs major league team that season, he would make $900,000 with possible bonuses that could bring his total salary to nearly $2 million.<ref>Sullivan, Jeff. [http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/12/2106613/doug-davis-chicago-cubs-contract Doug Davis, Chicago Cubs Reach Minor League Contract Agreement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416002606/http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/4/12/2106613/doug-davis-chicago-cubs-contract |date=April 16, 2011 }}, [[Baseball Nation]]. Published April 12, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011.</ref> The Cubs purchased his contract on May 14.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110513&content_id=19007616&notebook_id=19007930&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Davis 'ready to roll' for Cubs on Saturday], MLB.com, May 14, 2011.</ref>

Davis was released on June 29 by the Cubs after going 1–7 with a 6.50 ERA in 9 starts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=Cubs Release Doug Davis|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/cubs-release-doug-davis.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref>

===Chicago White Sox===
On July 18, 2011, Davis signed a minor league contract with the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=White Sox Sign Doug Davis|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/white-sox-sign-doug-davis-.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> He was released on September 4.

===Kansas City Royals===
On May 12, 2012, Davis signed a minor league contract with the [[Kansas City Royals]]. He remained the whole season at Triple-A, going 9–4 with a 4.66 ERA in 16 starts for the [[Omaha Storm Chasers]]. He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

==Pitching style==
Davis threw four pitches: a [[four-seam fastball]] at 84–87&nbsp;mph, a [[cutter (baseball)|cutter]] at 80–84, a [[curveball]] at 68–72, and a [[changeup]] at 78–81.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brooksbaseball.net/player_cards/player_card.php?player=150277|title=Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool - Player Card: Doug Davis|publisher=Brooks Baseball|access-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> Davis's four-seamer was the slowest fastball among left-handed starters in the 2011 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/pitchfx/leaderboards/index.php?hand=&reportType=pfx&prp=P&month=&year=2011&pitch=FA&ds=velo&lim=200|title=PitchFX Leaderboards|publisher=Baseball Prospectus|access-date=18 September 2012}}</ref>

Davis typically had a high [[base on balls|walk]] rate throughout his career. He has finished in the top 2 in the National League in walks four times, including first in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisdo02.shtml|title=Doug Davis Statistics and History|work=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=18 September 2012}}</ref>

He was known for his windup, a slow process that could be compared to the "two-stage" motions many Japanese pitchers have used.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} He has also been compared to a knuckleball pitcher inasmuch as Davis never knew where his pitches were going to go; [[Alex Rodriguez]] described it as, "“He throws the ball all over the place, throws a very slow breaking ball, good changeup, good fastball, good cutter,” <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/18/sports/baseball/yankees-visit-to-wrigley-starts-with-a-loss.html|title=Open Arms for Yankees, but Bats Can't Deliver|work=[[NYTimes.com]]|date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=14 June 2023 |last1=Shpigel |first1=Ben }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Davis is married to Chantelle Renee Davis, with whom he has three children, Dylan, Gavin and Seaver. He also has a daughter, Drew, and a son, Jordan, with his ex-wife. In his off time, he enjoys golf, chess, fishing, and spending time with his kids.

On March 28, 2008, Davis was diagnosed with [[thyroid cancer]]. Davis made two starts in the regular 2008 season before having surgery to remove his thyroid, a procedure scheduled for April 10. Following surgery, Davis was given a radioactive iodine treatment to kill any remaining cancer. He was expected to take 4–6 weeks to recover, and doctors reported a 97% chance of full recovery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080409&content_id=2506449&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Davis stays stoic on emotional night |access-date=April 9, 2008 |work=MLB.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225083135/http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080409&content_id=2506449&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 9, 2008, it was announced by the Diamondbacks that Davis had undergone a series of tests, the results of which indicated that he was, by then, cancer-free. He was expected to make two rehab starts in the minor leagues before returning to the Diamondbacks' Major League roster.

He returned to the Diamondbacks rotation on May 23, 2008, against the [[Atlanta Braves]]. He pitched seven innings, allowing only one run and striking out five in an 11–1 win for Arizona. His father was in the stands for his return.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats|mlb=150277|espn=4138|br=d/davisdo02|fangraphs=1244|brm=davis-003dou}}
*[https://archive.today/20090601063535/http://www.dougdavisfoundation.org/index.php Doug Davis Foundation]

{{Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Doug}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Sacramento, California]]
[[Category:Charlotte Knights players]]
[[Category:Charlotte Rangers players]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:City College of San Francisco Rams baseball players]]
[[Category:Daytona Cubs players]]
[[Category:Diablo Valley Vikings baseball players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Rangers players]]
[[Category:Huntsville Stars players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Indians players]]
[[Category:Iowa Cubs players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Nashville Sounds players]]
[[Category:Oklahoma RedHawks players]]
[[Category:Omaha Storm Chasers players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Walnut Creek, California]]
[[Category:Texas Rangers players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blue Jays players]]
[[Category:Tucson Sidewinders players]]
[[Category:Tulsa Drillers players]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Timber Rattlers players]]