Joe Davis has become beloved among Los Angeles Dodgers fans as the voice of the team, and beginning on Friday, he will call his first game as the voice of the World Series.
Davis was previously named the lead MLB play-by-play announcer for Fox Sports in their 27th season broadcasting MLB games. The promotion made Davis the new voice of MLB’s premier events, including the All-Star Game and World Series.
But with all the success comes more exposure, and in the age of social media, that increased fame can include praise for his work, but also trolls and hate.
That has led to Davis staying off of social media far more often than he’s on it, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“I just think it’s healthy to be off there and not to be too caught up in that,” Davis said. “You don’t get into this because you want to be liked, I don’t think. I know that people have strong opinions, and these games are emotional games for fan bases to watch. I get that, a lot of times, the announcers become the target.”
Davis last tweeted on July 17, but he had two retweets in the middle of August. On Instagram, he last posted a photo of his son with Clayton Kershaw on Sept. 22, and prior to that he last shared a photo on Aug. 13.
Although the broadcaster has not been active on his social media, that has not stopped San Diego Padres fans on Twitter from accusing Davis of being biased during the National League Championship Series.
When Davis calls the World Series, it will be the first time in more than two decades that the Fall Classic does not have Joe Buck as the play-by-play man.
Joe Davis earned praise for NLCS home run call
Bryce Harper sent the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series with a dramatic home run against the Padres in the eighth inning of Game 5 of the NLCS.
The opposite-field blast off Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez sent Citizens Bank Park into a frenzy and was accompanied by a call from play-by-play man Joe Davis that has been praised by many throughout the industry.
“Hits one in the air, left-center field, back it goes,” Davis began. “Harper, the swing of his life!”
Davis then remained silent as the cheers of the crowd filled the broadcast while Harper rounded the bases, just as Vin Scully did when Kirk Gibson hit his walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
