GERRY DAVIS (JUNE 1971)

After graduating from Roosevelt in June of 1971 Gerry Davis played with a traveling semi-pro baseball team. He had dreams of a pro baseball career as a pitcher until he got hurt. In the semi-pro league for which he played, an umpire was required from each team, and while injured, Gerry became his team’s umpire candidate. It was from this seemingly small and unfortunate event that Gerry found his career calling. His manager, impressed by his ability and demeanor as an umpire, suggested he go to umpire school and took the extra step of having an application sent to Gerry’s home.

Gerry attended the Al Somers umpire school in 1976, finished first in his class and was assigned to the Midwest League. After additional time in the Eastern League and American Association, he got the call every minor league player and umpire dreams about. A call to the big leagues on June 9, 1982, where he handled 3rd base in a game between the Cardinals and Montreal Expos. His skills and knowledge would put him in position to move up to crew chief in 1999, where he has been a fixture since.

Gerry Davis is the second-most senior umpire (after Joe West) but has the longest uninterrupted tenure as an umpire in the majors. Post-season assignments are given to the very best umpires as validation and recognition of their performance during the regular season. Gerry Davis has the record at many levels and most of these assignments came on merit rather than rotation. His post-season record of 151 games will stand for a very long time, assuming there will be none in 2021. A simple breakdown shows the following: Six World Series; Eleven League Championship Series; Thirteen Division Championship Series; Three Wild-Card games; Four All-Star games. This accomplishment is humbling to Gerry,
He acknowledges the most important game of his stellar career was his first World Series game behind the plate. It was game six of the 1996, at Yankee Stadium, in which New York won its first title in 18 years, defeating the defending champion Atlanta Braves, 3-2.
Both starting pitchers, Greg Maddux of the Braves and Jimmy Key of New York, tipped their hats to him when they left the field after being replaced, signifying their appreciation of Gerry’s officiating. That stands out above all others and will always be important, because it came from two of the best players after an important match-up.

In 2021 Gerry will officiate in his 5000th game This is an accomplishment he shares with only three other umpires: Bill Klem, Joe West and Bruce Froemming.
Gerry now lives in Huntington Beach, CA with his wife, Linda. He has owned a business for many years, Gerry Davis Sports, that specializes in umpiring equipment and clothing. One of his innovations are specially designed leg guards which give a small area at the top for the hands to rest. This is consistent with Gerry’s unique umpiring stance behind the plate.

In baseball, those who know, say the measure of a great umpire is the game goes so smoothly you don’t know who is officiating. Gerry Davis is “The Invisible Umpire”.