Last week, Kevin Kernan of the NY Post caught up with Ron Davis, the father of Mets first base prospect Ike Davis. In this candid interview, Ron talks about what he envisions for his son’s future in the game, but also shares a touching story that reveals the caliber of Ike’s character.
Michael Lio, a close friend who played second base alongside Ike in travel ball and at Chaparral High School — where the team won three straight state championships — battled Ewing’s sarcoma, a deadly cancer. Michael, 22, died Oct. 29.
“Ike was there for him, and so were other guys, rallying around Mike,” Ron said. “Ike was playing in the Arizona Fall League, and as soon as the game was over he would go back to the hospice and sit with Michael, spend the night with him and leave at 9 the next morning, go drive out and play a ballgame, and then do the same thing. So, he went about four or five nights, when it got real bad, without even sleeping.”
It’s an uplifting account that reminds all us of the human and compassionate side of an athlete that we rarely see or hear about. Considering the emotional weight of the loss of a friend, it’s remarkable that he was able to compete in finish the AFL season as strong as he did. The Mets’ first baseman of the future, finished the Arizona Fall League season hitting .341 with four homers and 16 RBI in 85 at-bats. Not too shabby!
Ron Davis goes on to give a glowing report on Ike’s future with the Mets, and I gotta tell ya, I can’t wait for the Ike Davis era to begin.
“I believe he’ll play 10-15 years in the big leagues without a problem,” Ron said of his son. “I know he’s a great defensive first baseman, has a lot of power and I know he’ll keep his average up. Most guys are going for stats, but he’ll do things to sacrifice for the team. The Mets definitely got a winner.”
I have a hunch, that the next Mets jersey I buy, will most likely be an Ike Davis jersey. So I hope he gets that major league career kick started very soon, because I really need to expand my Mets wardrobe.
