Ike Mania...
The newly-named Met accidentally bumped into a camera man as he tried to maneuver his way up the crowded dugout steps to the field for batting practice.*
Welcome to New York, Ike.
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The newly-named Met accidentally bumped into a camera man as he tried to maneuver his way up the crowded dugout steps to the field for batting practice.*
Welcome to New York, Ike.
The spotlight is firmly affixed on his every move – and there’s nothing he can do about it. Well, at least for today.
Davis will bat sixth, in between Jeff Franceour and Rod Barajas, for the Mets, who open their 10-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs on Jackie Robinson night.
All players will be wearing 42. Davis’ regular number will be 26.
Manager Jerry Manuel said he was impressed by Davis’ “easy power” during spring training. “That really kind of caught my eye,” he said. “He’s a rhythmic player.”
For that reason (and for many others, of course), fans will undoubtedly shower the shaggy-haired 23-year-old with applause tonight, treating him like he’s the savior of the Mets’ 4-8 season.
And his teammates are just as excited to see him out on the field.
"It’s always nice when a big prospect comes up, you feel like they can help you out a little bit -- especially when you’re struggling a little bit.” outfielder Frank Catalanotto said of Davis, who hit .364 (12-for-33) in Buffalo.
“We saw him in spring training and he was great. He swung the bat really, really well. I thought he came around real well on his defensive play in spring training. We’re excited to see all the firsts – the first at-bat, the first hit, the first homer, stuff like that. We think he can give the team a boost.”
But Manuel said he doesn’t want Davis to feel any added pressure.
“I don’t see him as the savior of the deal,” he said. “But I see him as a good complement to what we have. …Let him get his feel, sense the pace of a Major League season and we’ll take our chances from there.”
(*Davis quickly apologized to the cameraman, btw.)