The return of Chili Davis

Under ordinary circumstances, the hiring and firing of hitting coaches doesn’t generate much in the way of headlines or analysis. In the case of the Oakland A's, however, the hiring of Chili Davis creates some legitimate interest. It marks the return of a hitter who enjoyed a successful 19-year career to the ranks of the big leagues, where the A's hope he can turn around of a drowsy offense. Charles “Chili” Davis was one of my favorite players of the 1980s and '90s. First, I loved the nickname, a shortening of “Chili Bowl,” the words used to describe a ghastly haircut that he once received as a child. With a nickname like Chili, Davis became more memorable than he would have been as merely Charles Davis. I also liked the way he transformed his reputation. Playing for the Giants in his 20s, Davis had speed and power but was often criticized as a lazy and uninterested player who did not play hard. He put up respectable numbers for the Giants, but his critics felt that ...