Ben Davis, a former Major League Baseball catcher and studio analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia's Philadelphia Phillies pregame and postgame shows, cut his kneecap to the bone with a chainsaw while clearing fallen trees near his home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.[1][2]

Davis, who was 47 at the time of the incident in February 2020, described the event on SportsRadio 94WIP. He said two white pine trees had fallen during a recent snowfall, and while he cut the first without issue, a branch on the second tree snapped back as he trimmed it, causing the chainsaw to slice his knee about three inches deep.[1]

"It was only about three inches long, but it went to the bone," Davis said. He applied Steri-Strips, Neosporin and a bandage, forgoing stitches or a hospital visit, though he noted the wound reopened when he bent his knee.[1]

Davis expressed relief that the injury was not worse. Lying in bed with his wife afterward, he told her he was "thrilled" it was only as severe as it was.[1]

Davis played seven MLB seasons from 1998 to 2004, primarily as a catcher. He appeared in 507 games, batting .240 with 40 home runs and 207 RBI. He spent four seasons with the San Diego Padres (1998-2001), three with the Seattle Mariners (2002-2004) and part of 2004 with the Chicago White Sox.[3][4]

The 2020 incident occurred during Davis's 11th season with the Phillies broadcast team. He enters his 16th season in 2024 as a studio analyst.[1][5]

Sources

1. Fox News, "Phillies broadcaster Ben Davis cuts knee to bone with chainsaw, doesn't go to hospital", February 20, 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/phillies-ben-davis-chainsaw-injury-knee
2. NBC Sports Philadelphia, "Phillies broadcasters", Accessed October 2024, https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/phillies/phillies-broadcasters/
3. Sports Reference LLC, "Ben Davis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More", Accessed October 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisbe02.shtml
4. MLB.com, "Ben Davis", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/ben-davis-114417
5. Philadelphia Phillies (MLB.com), "Phillies Broadcasters", Accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/phillies/team/broadcasters#ben-davis