masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAs he continues his climb up the Orioles’ single-season home run list, Chris Davis talked about his latest honor of sorts today. He is going to be a Sports Illustrated cover boy.

Davis is being featured on one of the Aug. 26 issue’s regional covers in a profile written by Tom Verducci.

Davis said his knowledge of the magazine goes back to his childhood.

“I was at my grandparents’ house and I saw there were like 150 Sports Illustrated issues under the coffee table,” he said. “I asked,…As he continues his climb up the Orioles’ single-season home run list, Chris Davis talked about his latest honor of sorts today. He is going to be a Sports Illustrated cover boy.

Davis is being featured on one of the Aug. 26 issue’s regional covers in a profile written by Tom Verducci.

Davis said his knowledge of the magazine goes back to his childhood.

“I was at my grandparents’ house and I saw there were like 150 Sports Illustrated issues under the coffee table,” he said. “I asked, ‘Can I have these?’

“I think it is pretty cool. It’s good for the Orioles. Anytime you get attention on a stage that big. I think we are obviously doing some things right and some guys are getting well-deserved recognition. It started with the All-Star Game.”

Davis has 45 homers and is the fourth Oriole to hit 45 or more homers in a season. Brady Anderson hit 50 in 1996, while Frank Robinson hit 49 in 1966 and Jim Gentile hit 46 in 1961.

Davis has an major league-leading 81 extra-base hits, 16 more than Miguel Cabrera. Per STATS, only two Orioles have led the majors in extra-base hits: Robinson (85 in 1966) and Cal Ripken Jr. (85 in 1991).

“It is an honor to be on the cover. But it doesn’t change who I am,” Davis said.

He also said he is not real concerned about any SI jinx.

“I don’t know there is any way to avoid it unless you want me to walk around with cloves of garlic on my neck,” he joked. “I think, like I said, it’s cool, but I still have a lot here to accomplish and stay focused on.”