BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Davis Stars for Reds Again

Cincinnati Red outfielder Eric Davis no longer makes an annual visit to the All-Star game, and certainly, the comparisons to Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle have ended.

Yet, 1 1/2 years after baseball forgot all about him, he has come back to give new life to the Reds, and became the hero once again Wednesday night with his game-winning home run in the Reds’ 3-2, 12-inning victory over the Dodgers.

Davis, who retired from baseball only to give it one last shot this season, has hit three home runs in his last three games with 10 runs batted in.

“I’m having more fun now than I’ve ever had in my career,” said Davis, born and raised in Los Angeles and who played during the 1992 season and part of 1993 with the Dodgers. “To tell you the truth, I’m just happy to make the team because nobody gave me a chance to make the team.

“When I came to spring training, I was just hoping to have the opportunity to win the job. It didn’t even look like I’d have a legitimate chance until a couple of guys got hurt.

“If I never get another hit the rest of the season, it’s all been worth it.”

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Dodger closer Todd Worrell, who didn’t give up his first run of the season until Sunday, gave up back-to-back home runs to Eric Anthony and Davis to lose the game.

“It was one of those games I just didn’t have good control,” said Worrell, who warmed up three times in the bullpen before entering the game. “You’re going to have bad days. Unfortunately, it came on a bad day.”