Ben Davis (Transcript)

Robby Incmikoski: All right, here’s my guy—Ben Davis, the Malvern... second overall pick. What—’90 what?

Ben Davis: 1995.

Robby Incmikoski: I’m older. I got you by two years. You were drafted out of Malvern, weren’t you? Hey, what’s it like being the second overall...

Ben Davis: I was, yes. Yeah.

Robby Incmikoski: ...pick? What’s that process, man—just leading into the draft, knowing where your stock is. I mean, second overall’s no slouch, man. What was that like for you?

Ben Davis: For me, it was unbelievable that it was even going to happen because of where I came from. I graduated with... we had 80 kids in our school. Coming from a small school in the Northeast, being the size I was—I wasn’t the biggest guy around—I grew three inches and put on 80 pounds after I graduated high school. But just having that experience and hearing it—“Number two overall”—I mean, it’s still kind of hard for me to believe that a kid from this area went that high. But it was a dream come true. I got to live out my dreams and play in the big leagues eventually.

I can’t stand the word “surreal” because everyone uses it, but it was one of those real moments. They took me number two—the second pick of any high school or college kid in the entire country. And I got that. I was the second pick. So it was very, very gratifying knowing that all the hard work I had put in really came to fruition.

Robby Incmikoski: One thing I want you to touch on, Ben—I don’t think fans know this. We know it, you and I, and especially you as a player. But as a broadcaster, I understand this too—being obviously a fellow Philadelphia native like yourself. But on the West Coast—fans in Florida, fans in Atlanta, fans in warm cities—don’t realize how hard it is for a kid to get noticed in a winter city or a state that has winter. It’s hard. These kids can train and play 12 months a year. You couldn’t. What was that like?

Ben Davis: It was different. When I was in high school, I was the oddball among all my friends because I only played two sports. I played basketball and baseball.

Robby Incmikoski: Okay.

Ben Davis: All my buddies played three sports—football, basketball, baseball. Some played ice hockey, some ran track. That’s just what you did. Now everything is so... it’s so linear. It’s one sport, 12 months a year, and that’s what you do.

So from that aspect, it was even more difficult because it’s hard to get noticed and seen up here. My junior year, we had the worst winter of all time. We played 15 games—fifteen. And then my senior year, we played 25 games because of the weather.

Robby Incmikoski: That’s it?

Ben Davis: That’s all you could do. And they didn’t have the club teams and the travel teams like they do now. So either you lucked out—I lucked out because a lot of scouts came to see my brother, who was drafted after his senior year. He didn’t sign—ended up going to Vanderbilt and playing there. But a lot of those scouts were like, “Look at that little skinny kid behind home plate—really has a good arm.” So that kind of benefited me personally, and then I was able to get even more notice the following year.

But it’s just not easy being a Northeast kid because of the climate. You just don’t get the reps like you do in the hot states.

Robby Incmikoski: Yeah, yeah. Why do catchers have asses bigger than anybody else? I always give McHenry a hard time. I’m like, “Dude, you and Ben Davis have the two greatest asses of anybody I’ve been around in baseball.” And I’m coming from a straight guy.

Ben Davis: A lot of squatting.

Robby Incmikoski: That was totally a joke. That’s not going in. That’s why we couldn’t film everything anyway.

Ben Davis: Great.

Robby Incmikoski: All right, Ben, I want to ask you about Seattle. Playing that first game there, right? You played the first-ever game in the history of what’s now known as T-Mobile Park. You were a visitor. But what was that like for you guys going into that day? I’ve got to look that up again, but I believe it was in the middle of the year when that happened. I don’t think they opened the season at Safeco. They played somewhere else. But what do you remember? Anything particular about that day? Of all the games you play in your career, I know it’s hard to remember just one—but people always remember the first game they play in a ballpark, don’t they?

Ben Davis: They do. And there was such a buzz in the city. It was different because no one knew where to go. You go into a ballpark, and usually you know where the players enter, where the bus drops you off, or if you get a cab, where to go.

Robby Incmikoski: Yeah.

Ben Davis: But here, it was like, “Go through this door, down this hallway,” just to get down to the clubhouse. No one knew where to go or what to do. I remember getting there—and the first thing I did was go to my locker, unpack my stuff—and then I immediately went out to the dugout just to take a look. I called it the Eighth Wonder of the World because it was spectacular. It was unbelievable.

And then years later, fast forward—I end up spending three years there, playing for them in ’02, ’03, and ’04. But that first experience, walking out there... this whole roof moves back. It wasn’t open that day because it was overcast—it was raining, it was miserable. Typical Seattle.

Robby Incmikoski: Yeah.

Ben Davis: And you look around like, “My gosh... they built this place?” It was gorgeous.

Ben Davis: ...And you go through all your pregame activities, get ready for the game. I remember going out to the bullpen, warming the pitcher up, and I’m just getting soaked. I’m like, “What is going on?” So I motioned to the security guard, “Hey man, someone’s throwing water on me.” He’s like, “What do you mean?” I said, “Someone is throwing water on me while I’m warming up the pitcher.”

He says, “Sir, that’s the rain coming in from the outside.” I threw the ball back, looked to my left—and holy crap—everyone up in the left-field bleachers had rain slickers on. The rain was blowing in because it’s just a roof that covers the top of Safeco—or T-Mobile now—but the sides are open. So it was raining so hard, and the wind was blowing the water in from outside. That’s why everyone had ponchos on.

So we start the game, hear the roar of the crowd. And if memory serves me, I think we won that game.

Robby Incmikoski: You did. 3-2.

Ben Davis: Yeah.

Robby Incmikoski: Jamie Moyer. It was Jamie Moyer that pitched.

Ben Davis: Yes! I think in my second at-bat, I got a hit off him.

Robby Incmikoski: You did. I have the box score here. You had a hit in the second inning. Eric Owens had the first hit—a single off Moyer. Then Nevin, then David Bell double. Griffey fly ball. So you had the fourth hit ever in T-Mobile Park history.

Ben Davis: Okay.

Robby Incmikoski: And the first caught stealing. Wait—let me just read. So it was raining sideways. That was your first time in that bullpen, right?

Ben Davis: Yeah, we were in the bullpen in left field. The bullpens are basically right next to each other—home and away. I remember warming the pitcher up and I’m like, “Ash, man...”

Robby Incmikoski: It was Andy Ashby.

Ben Davis: One of my best friends in baseball. I love that guy.

Robby Incmikoski: Could you connect us with him?

Ben Davis: I could. Absolutely.

Robby Incmikoski: I’d love to talk to him about that particular game. We’ll circle back on that.

Ben Davis: Yeah, yeah. I remember distinctly calling the security guard over and saying, “Hey man, someone’s throwing water on me.” Because when I played my first game at the Vet in Philadelphia, I remember warming the pitcher up and this guy dumps a beer on me in the bullpen.

Robby Incmikoski: Oh man.

Ben Davis: I look up and he goes, “Hey, welcome to Philly, buddy.” I said, “Dude, I’m from here!” And he goes, “Welcome back!” I was a rookie. I only had one jersey. I had to play the entire game smelling like beer.

Robby Incmikoski: At the Vet. Holy s—.

Ben Davis: Yeah. So I walked back down to the dugout to start the game and they’re like, “Davis, you been drinking? You smell like it.” I’m like, “A guy poured beer on me in the bullpen. What do you want me to do?” So I kind of hearkened back to that moment in Seattle—like, “Why is someone throwing water on me?” But it was the wind and rain. That roof only covers the top, not the sides.

Robby Incmikoski: Can I tell you something—and I’m dead serious? The story you just told is exactly the kind of story we want for this book. We want anecdotes you can’t get anywhere else. Everybody knows Randy Johnson and all that, but we’re looking for these stories fans haven’t heard. So that leads me to this—

Ben Davis: Yeah?

Robby Incmikoski: So Ben, we’ve talked to people with different accomplishments. Mike Bacsik, who gave up Bonds’ 756—we talked to him. That night at AT&T Park. But nobody’s going to go, “Ben Davis—the guy with the first caught stealing at Safeco Field.” But you’re in the history books. How cool is it to be the first at something in a ballpark that hosts the greatest players in the world?

Ben Davis: Who did I throw out that day?

Robby Incmikoski: You threw out Russ Davis. Bottom of the third. He singled off Ashby on a 1-1 pitch. You threw him out trying to steal. Dan Wilson grounded out. David Bell struck out.

Ben Davis: Huh. Interesting. I’ll be honest—I don’t remember that. But I do think it’s cool that I’m in the books for that. I took a lot of pride in my defense. Ash was quick to the plate. He gave me a decent chance to throw guys out. Big dude, but quick. That’s pretty neat—if you look back at the ballpark history, first ever caught stealing: Ben Davis. I think that’s neat.

Robby Incmikoski: And that’s what’s interesting. You raise a good point. I never force anything. If a guy doesn’t remember something, he doesn’t. But that shows how a baseball player’s memory works. You remember the rain coming in sideways—but not throwing a guy out. How do you explain that?

Ben Davis: Yeah. I remember getting a hit off Jamie. I remember the rain. And if I’m not mistaken—I want to say it was the first game after the All-Star break.

Robby Incmikoski: I believe so.

Ben Davis: So I’m getting ready for the game. You don’t wear spikes before the game—just turf shoes. I was a big shower guy. I’d shower after BP, get taped. So I go to my locker to get dressed... and I realize—I don’t have my spikes.

Robby Incmikoski: You forgot to pack them.

Ben Davis: Yeah. I wore a size 11. Had a Nike contract. I’m like, “S—, I don’t have my spikes.” So I look around—Tony Gwynn wore size 11. I’m like, “T, I forgot my spikes.” He goes, “Here—take these.” Throws me a box. I open them and go, “Tony—I can’t wear these.” He says, “Man, just wear ’em. F— it.”

They were his All-Star spikes. Patent leather. Had “19” on the tongue. “5.5 hole” stitched on the side. I’m like—I could wear these to a wedding.

Robby Incmikoski: Wait—you wore those the first game at Safeco Field?

Ben Davis: Yep. I go to the plate, Danny Wilson’s catching—still one of my closest friends. I dig in, and he looks at my feet: “Nice spikes there, Big Irish.” I’m like, “Don’t get me started.” I had to wear those for the whole game. Our clubhouse overnighted a pair for the next day. But yeah—Tony Gwynn’s All-Star spikes.

Robby Incmikoski: But you don’t remember getting the first caught stealing.

Ben Davis: Nope. Lot going on that day, Robby.

Robby Incmikoski: And you raise a great point. Some guys remember pitch sequences from 10 years ago. Others forget names. It’s wild how memory works in this game.

Ben Davis: Right.

Robby Incmikoski: So Ashby pitches. Tony didn’t even play that day.

Ben Davis: Yeah, that was near the end for him. Knees and everything. It was a grind.

Robby Incmikoski: What was it like being Tony’s teammate, by the way?

Ben Davis: Something new every day. He was a couple lockers down from me. Took me under his wing. Helped me with hitting. His vision—he was 41 and still had 20/10 vision. He could see the grip on changeups, the seams on sliders. He had this approach—he’d say, “Here’s what I’m gonna do to Randy Johnson,” and then he’d go do it. Smallest hands I’ve ever seen on a guy who hit .338 career. Medium Franklin gloves with tape around the fingers. Just an amazing player and person.

Robby Incmikoski: When I talk to Junior, it’s like talking to his dad.

Ben Davis: It really is.

Robby Incmikoski: Okay, so what was it like playing the first game in that park, then calling it your home later?

Ben Davis: It was cool. I got drafted by San Diego in ’95, called up in ’98, full-time ’99 to ’01. Best year of my life in ’01—caught 138 games. Then in December, I’m hitting, my phone rings—it’s my agent: “You got traded to Seattle.” I’m like, “What? I just had my best year!” It felt like the end of the world. But Pat Gillick welcomed me. I loved living there. Summers were beautiful. Playing in that park for three years—it was amazing.

Robby Incmikoski: Hey, Kyle had to jump. He's got three daughters. Let's wrap soon. Did you ever play at Citizens Bank Park?

Ben Davis: Only at the Vet.

Robby Incmikoski: Man, wish you got one game there. What’s it like broadcasting games there? If a family’s going for the first time, what’s the experience like?

Ben Davis: You feel at home. There’s no bad seat. My favorite seats are the Hall of Fame level—club level. Great view of the field, skyline, shade during day games. The food is second to none. People are kind, welcoming. Everyone from John Middleton down—they care. They put a great product on the field. It’s a pleasure to work there.

Robby Incmikoski: I want Frankie Two Scoops in the book.

Ben Davis: I’m sure the Phillies can help. I don’t have his number, but they’ll know.

Robby Incmikoski: Tony Burns’ wife is my best friend. Talked to her today.

Ben Davis: That’s awesome.

Robby Incmikoski: So let’s go back to Seattle for one more. From a baseball standpoint—what’s it like hitting in a new park on day one?

Ben Davis: Sightlines are different. Roof was closed. Good view of the ball. But that lineup—Griffey, A-Rod, Edgar, Buhner, Dan Wilson—it was stacked. You tune out the noise and focus. Just get Ashby through the game. But when you’re on-deck, you look around—“Man, this is cool.” I never played in the Kingdome, but this was night and day.

Robby Incmikoski: Earlier you called it the 8th wonder of the world. What made you say that?

Ben Davis: At the time, there weren’t many retractables. The domes were permanent—Minnesota, Tampa. Arizona had one. Milwaukee came later. To move an entire roof? That was insane. The concourse, the layout—everything was so much nicer than anything I’d seen.

Robby Incmikoski: Last thing. I’m a Philly guy—born in South Philly, 700 level. It’s easy to rip Philly fans. But once you know them—they’re real. Just like the bleacher creatures in New York. Don’t you feel like Philly fans get a bad rap?

Ben Davis: They do. They’re knowledgeable. They’re passionate. Sometimes it gets the best of them—it’s human nature. But they live and die with the teams—Flyers, Sixers, Eagles, Phillies. It’s their identity. You can’t fault them for that.

Robby Incmikoski: That’s all I got. I’m stopping the recording and the transcription.