NEW LONDON GRAD RAJAI DAVIS, MOM DIANE
Rajai Davis's mom once shared some inspirational words with him that he still follows to this day. "My mom gave me the initial strength that I needed to start my career when I was just a boy," Davis said. "There was one scripture that she shared with me. She said you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. I actually believe those words. I still carry those words throughout my life and my career. "Those words brought to pass everything that I have now because I believed them." Davis, a former New London High School and UConn Avery Point star, has inspired others during his long and productive professional baseball career that started in 2001. He's defied the odds, spending 14 seasons in the major leagues with eight teams after climbing the minor league ladder for six years. In February, he signed a contract with Acereros de Monclova, a Mexican League team. Right now, he's home in East Lyme waiting for the season to begin. His parents, Diane and Roscoe, also still live in the area. Davis, 39, appreciates the sacrifices that his mom made for him while he tried a variety of sports while growing up. "She allowed me to play baseball," he said. "She allowed me to play football. She allowed me to play basketball. These were helping to create a competitiveness that I already had. I already had a desire to be really good; That was in my soul. I just wanted to get better and part of that was her paying for me to play baseball, play football."
"Those were huge sacrifices because we didn't have much. She was there to support me emotionally, physically and financially. It was all around especially when I needed it." Davis received something else from his mom besides her wise advice. "My personality is like hers," Davis said. "From what I hear, she was a pretty good runner in high school. She's pretty outgoing. She can be loud. I can be loud at times."
— Gavin Keefe