10 who picked diamond over gridiron
A model of this story initially ran in January 2022.
As one other Super Bowl approaches, this looks like the proper time to memory about what might have been for some former Major League stars.
Most followers are accustomed to two-way stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders, who frolicked in each the NFL and MLB, however what about guys who gave up potential NFL careers of their pursuit to play skilled baseball?
The following is a have a look at simply 10 former massive leaguers who both performed faculty soccer at a few of the most prestigious applications within the nation or handed up big-time scholarships in favor of creating it to The Show.
If not for a freak harm, it is attainable Mantle — a seven-time World Series champion — would have spent his profession pursuing the Lombardi Trophy. A star operating again in highschool, he had already obtained a scholarship provide from the soccer powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners as an underclassman. That all modified when a 14-year-old Mantle was kicked within the decrease leg by a teammate throughout a soccer observe. When his ankle swelled and he developed a excessive fever, Mantle’s dad and mom rushed him to the hospital, the place docs recognized him with osteomyelitis — a doubtlessly deadly bone illness that had been aggravated by the harm. Though docs initially believed they must amputate the leg to save lots of his life, a second opinion steered to as a substitute deal with him with a then-brand new drug known as penicillin. The swelling went down inside every week, however Mantle by no means once more performed soccer, as a substitute settling for a Hall of Fame baseball profession that included three MVP Awards.
Prior to turning into a trailblazer in Major League Baseball, Robinson was a four-sport star at UCLA, the place he lettered in baseball, soccer, basketball and observe. Surprisingly, he struggled a bit on the diamond, hitting .097 in 1940 — however he was sensational on the soccer area. Robinson was the nation’s main punt returner in each 1939 and ’40, whereas additionally main UCLA in passing, dashing and scoring as a senior. His title stays prominently featured within the UCLA soccer report ebook, together with for essentially the most yards per carry by any participant in a single season (12.2).
So this one is admittedly a little bit of a stretch. Winfield makes the checklist as a result of he was, in any case, chosen by the Minnesota Vikings within the 1973 NFL Draft — however he hadn’t performed soccer since youth leagues. While Winfield was a two-sport athlete on the University of Minnesota, his sports activities of alternative have been baseball and basketball. Along with successful the College World Series MVP Award in his senior season, Winfield additionally helped lead the Golden Gophers to a Big Ten championship in basketball.
Winfield’s athletic prowess led to him being drafted by 4 groups in three sports activities in 1973: the San Diego Padres (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and Vikings (NFL). Winfield has acknowledged that he by no means truly thought of the provide to play soccer. In reality, he all the time meant to play baseball, although he admits he used the basketball choice merely as a negotiation instrument in his talks with the Padres.
Long earlier than hitting one of the crucial iconic residence runs in MLB historical past, Gibson was garnering consideration at Michigan State as one of many prime receivers in collegiate soccer. He led MSU in receiving for 3 straight seasons from 1976-78, and he departed as the varsity’s all-time chief in receptions (112), receiving yards (2,347) and landing receptions (24). Gibson was named to the All-America Team as a senior in ’78 — the identical yr he obtained All-America honors on the baseball diamond. Gibson was chosen by the Tigers with the No. 12 decide within the 1978 Draft, and he went on to hit 255 residence runs over a 17-year profession with the Tigers, Dodgers, Royals and Pirates. He gained the 1988 NL MVP Award and was a two-time World Series champion.
Prior to turning into a five-time All-Star and the Rockies’ all-time chief in nearly each offensive class, Helton performed quarterback alongside — and, for a quick time, forward of — Peyton Manning on the University of Tennessee. Helton obtained a scholarship to play each baseball and soccer for the Volunteers, and he spent his first two seasons backing up Heath Shuler, who went on to change into the No. 3 total decide within the 1994 NFL Draft. Jerry Colquitt started the following season because the starter, however when he went down with an early-season harm, it was Helton — not Manning, a real freshman on the time — who obtained the decision. Ultimately, Helton was taken with the No. 8 decide within the ’95 MLB Draft, and he went on to change into the Rockies’ all-time chief in hits, residence runs, RBIs, doubles, whole bases, runs scored and video games performed. Manning, in the meantime, assumed the beginning function the next yr and by no means regarded again on his approach to the Pro Hall of Fame.
Many consider the Big Hurt might have simply simply inflicted his ache on NFL defenders as a substitute of MLB pitchers. Thomas, one of many prime tight ends within the nation popping out of highschool, attended Auburn University on a soccer scholarship, although it got here with the settlement that he would additionally play baseball. After sustaining an ankle harm throughout his freshman soccer season, nevertheless, Thomas made the choice to focus full-time on baseball. Pat Dye, Auburn’s head soccer coach on the time, absolutely supported the transfer — even persevering with to honor his soccer scholarship — and has gone on the report saying he believes Thomas would have been immortalized in Canton, versus Cooperstown, had he caught with soccer.
Mauer is likely one of the few gamers on this checklist who didn’t play soccer collegiately — however he actually might have. The Twins legend threw for five,528 yards and 73 touchdowns in two seasons because the beginning quarterback at Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Considered by most recruiting specialists to be the highest quarterback in his class, Mauer regarded poised to observe within the footsteps of 2000 Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke — who additionally starred in each baseball and soccer at Cretin-Derham Hall — by committing to Florida State in May 2001. Less than a month later, nevertheless, the Twins chosen Mauer with the No. 1 total decide within the MLB Draft — and he by no means made it to Tallahassee.
When the Reds chosen Dunn within the second spherical of the 1998 MLB Draft, each events knew of his plans to play soccer on the University of Texas. A star quarterback at New Caney High School in Texas, Dunn labored out a take care of the Reds to play Minor League baseball in the summertime earlier than returning to Austin to organize for soccer season. He finally redshirted his freshman season behind starter Major Applewhite, however Texas then requested Dunn to modify to tight finish after receiving a dedication from star QB recruit Chris Simms the next yr. Dunn as a substitute opted to modify his focus completely to baseball, making his MLB debut in 2001 and his first All-Star look in ’02 on his approach to hitting 462 profession residence runs.
Prior to successful the 2002 World Series as a member of the Angels, Erstad was a part of an undefeated Nebraska Cornhuskers soccer crew that gained the 1994 nationwide title. Erstad was one of many prime punters within the nation, averaging 42.6 yards per punt, whereas additionally going 10-for-10 on additional factors and kicking three area objectives for the ’94 membership. He rounded out that educational yr by hitting .410 with 19 homers and 76 RBIs for the varsity’s baseball crew the next spring. Erstad was named a first-team All-American and Big Eight Co-Player of the Year, in addition to a Golden Spikes Award finalist. He was chosen with the No. 1 total decide by the Angels following that spectacular ’95 marketing campaign, ending his Husker profession because the school-record holder for many hits (six), runs (six), and RBIs (six) in a recreation; most hits (103) and whole bases (194) in a single season (1995); and most profession hits (261).
Despite successful that nationwide title at Nebraska, Erstad poked enjoyable at his soccer profession after being concerned in a violent collision with Braves catcher Johnny Estrada at residence plate in 2005. Asked if a hard-nosed play like that was indicative of his soccer mentality, Erstad mentioned: “I wasn’t a football player. I was a punter.”
Samardzija is likely one of the uncommon gamers on this checklist who might have had a greater collegiate profession on the gridiron than the diamond. Playing at one of many premier soccer applications within the nation, Samardzija capped his soccer profession with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He wasn’t too dangerous on the mound both, going 16-3 with a 4.13 ERA over his final two years.
He was drafted by the Cubs within the fifth spherical of the 2006 MLB Draft, although many consider he would have gone greater if not for the uncertainty surrounding his soccer profession. Samardzija proceeded to catch 78 passes for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns for Notre Dame that fall, establishing himself as a projected first-round decide within the ensuing NFL Draft. Shortly after the soccer season ended, nevertheless, he dedicated absolutely to baseball, signing a five-year, $10 million take care of the Cubs.
