After losing an arbitration case to get his job back, Davidson re-entered the minor league system in 2003. He worked the Northwest League in 2003 and the Midwest League in 2004. In 2005 he was assigned to the Florida State League but did not work any games in the league because of fill-in work at the Major League level. In 2006 he was promoted to the Texas League but again worked only MLB games. Tom Hallion and Ed Hickox are now the only umpires who are working their way toward regaining a contract after losing their jobs in 1999.

MLB had a number of umpires with extensive experience to choose from in replacing Brinkman. Davidson currently ranks 100th on the all-time MLB games worked list with 2,626 games. Hallion has worked 1,917 games and Hickox 1,166. Triple-A umpire Chris Guccione has worked a record 943 games as an MLB reserve umpire. As part of a 2004 deal, MLB agreed to give Davidson, Hallion, and Hickox three of the next five umpiring positions to open. Brinkman’s retirement was the second of these openings. Lance Barksdale filled the first spot this past season when Terry Craft retired.

Davidson, whose professional career began in 1974, has worked the following minor leagues: Northwest, Midwest, Florida State, Southern, and American Association.

Davidson's MLB post-season experience is also extensive; he worked the 1992 World Series - Expos over the Blue Jays - and worked the plate in Game 5 at Toronto. He also worked the NL Championship Series in 1998, 1991, and 1996, NL Division Series in 1995 and 1998, and the 1987 and 1993 All-Star Games.