Chicago Cubs committed highway robbery in the 1980 Rule 5 Draft

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Jody Davis / Chicago Cubs (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: Doing his part to bring a title to Wrigleyville

Chicago jumped out to an early 2-0 edge in the NLCS against San Diego – and were just one win away from the World Series. Of course, the Cubs collapsed – dropping the next three contests and breaking the hearts of fans across the country. But that was through no fault of Davis, who was an absolute monster in the series.

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The Chicago backstop batted .389/.368/.833 in 19 plate appearances, clubbing a pair of home runs and two doubles. He followed up the first All-Star season of his career with a monstrous October, cementing his place in team lore for years to come.

After struggling in 1985, he bounced back with his second and final All-Star nod the next year, winning the Gold Glove behind the dish after he threw out 48 percent of baserunners. He was the whole package – leading the National League in Defensive War (3.3), Total Zone Runs (21), games played at his respective position (150) and assists (105).

He played two more years in Chicago before the Cubs traded him to Atlanta in exchange for a pair of players. By 1990, his big league career was over – yet somehow, decades later, the Wrigley Field faithful still clamor over Davis and what he brought to the table.

Next. Don't sleep on what the Sarge brought to the '84 Cubs. dark

While current backstop and two-time All-Star Willson Contreras is still in the early stages of his career, he could very well wind up being this generation’s Jody Davis. He’s already accomplished more, in some regards, than Davis in helping Chicago win a World Series title. Still, mentioning Contreras alongside Davis puts what we’re currently seeing on the North Side in a different, more historic lens.

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