Two-Sport All-Stars
TOP 10 BASEBALL PLAYERS WHO WERE ALSO PRETTY GOOD
AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER IN ANOTHER SPORT
AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER IN ANOTHER SPORT
1. KIRK GIBSON: I've always had the opinion that Kirk Gibson was one of those players that really had to have a challenge put
squarely in front of him before he was able to produce results. Yes, he was always pretty good. But, when it came down to playing for all the marbles, Gibson in recent years has no equal. He was elected National League MVP in 1988 when he was with the Dodgers
and hit that dramatic pinch-hit homer against the Oakland A's in the World Series while basically swinging on one leg. He also had some monstrous shots into the seats at Tiger Stadium when he spurred Detroit to the 1984 World Series title over the San Diego Padres.
If not a major league hitter, Gibson could have played in the NFL. He was an All-American wideout for Michigan State in his college days. Remember that?
2. BO JACKSON: Bo Jackson was certainly one of the greatest athletes ever to grace a baseball diamond. A tremendously powerful outfielder with the Kansas City Royals (and later Chicago White Sox), I will never forget watching on TV the line-drive homer he hit over the center field fence off Rick Reuschel to lead off the 1989 All-Star Game. Man, what a shot! Plus, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn was an awesome running back for the Raiders in the NFL before he had that infamous hip injury one season. If only he would have given up football like Mickey Mantle did. Bo knew sports - but he certainly couldn't play guitar in those Nike commercials. "Bo, you don't know Diddley!"
3. DICK GROAT: Before Dick Groat became the National League MVP with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1960, he was an All-American basketball player for Duke after averaging 23 points per game. If you don't believe it, read the back of Groat's 1961 Topps card. Groat was always steady at shortstop and led the NL in hitting during his MVP campaign with a .325 average. He was a lifetime .286 hitter and is probably a borderline Hall of Famer.
4. PHIL BRADLEY:: Phil Bradley played in the 1985 All-Star Game representing the Seattle Mariners. That year, he hit .300 with 26 homers, 88 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 192 hits. A lifetime .286 hitter in eight seasons, Bradley also played with the Phillies, the Orioles, and the White Sox. Prior to playing baseball professionally, he was the best quarterback in the old Big 8 Conference with the Missouri Tigers. He also played for the Mizzou baseball team. Last I heard, Bradley was the baseball coach at my wife Melissa's alma mater - Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
5. JACKIE JENSEN: I've always liked Jackie Jensen. Perhaps it's because of his dislike for air travel; I don't like it either. No, I'm not as scared of flying as Jensen was; in fact, a fear of airplanes somewhat prematurely ended Jensen's career. Imagine if Mark McGwire wouldn't fly to Chicago for a doubleheader? Jensen was the American League MVP for the Boston Red Sox in 1958 when he hit 35 homers and led the Junior Circuit in ribbies with 122. Prior to the majors, Jensen was an All-American fullback for the University of California - breaking off a sizzling 67-yard touchdown run in the 1949 Rose Bowl.
6. TONY GWYNN: It's amazing what Tony Gwynn has done as a major league hitter. He has won eight NL batting titles and has over 3,000 career hits. He does it all with class, too. I'll always respect him because he respects the great hitters like Ted Williams who came before him. He is absolutely reverent when speaking about former players. I hope that he can regain his former stroke; 2000 wasn't exactly a banner year for him, what with injuries and all. But, at least he didn't take his athletic talents to the hardwood. He used to play collegiate basketball for the Aztecs of San Diego State prior to coming to the Padres.
7. KENNY LOFTON: I really hate to give Kenny Lofton his due. I think sometimes he acts like a cocky jerk just like Ken Griffey, Jr. But, he is good. I'll give him that. He definitely is one of the fastest players in history and one of the greatest center fielders of this era. However, while I am glad Gwynn elected to play baseball instead of basketball, I wished Lofton would have taken his attitude to the NBA. Remember him when he played for the Arizona Wildcats and Lute Olson? The Oklahoma Sooners beat Lofton and Company in the 1988 Final Four to reach the national championship game that year against Kansas. We Sooner fans all remember how that one turned out, don't we? Lofton made a good career choice, though. Eight postseason appearances with either the Cleveland Indians or Atlanta Braves. He's also led his league five times in stolen bases and is a .311 career hitter.
8. JACKIE ROBINSON: Everyone knows that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and went on to make the Hall of Fame. But, did you know that he played basketball and football as well as baseball at UCLA? In fact, he led the Bruins (and the Pac-10) in scoring two straight years in basketball. In football, he led the nation one year with 12 yards per carry. No wonder Robinson was such a fireplug on the basepaths.
9. TODD HELTON: Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies will have the most doubles in one season this year since Joe Medwick and Charlie Gehringer both had at least 60 two-baggers during the 1936 campaign. Helton is a heckuva hitter, having flirted with .400 most of the 2000 season. He also used to be the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee before giving way to a guy named Peyton Manning.
10. DEION SANDERS: Now, nobody can ever accuse me of being biased. Well, I am sort of. But, I've got to put Deion Sanders on this list. The guy was a tremendously talented baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds (and Yankees and Braves). I just don't think he had the right head for baseball. Football, though, is another story. He's probably the best cornerback ever to play on any NFL gridiron. But, a little Neon Deion goes a long way. Every time I see him loaded down with his gold chains, I nearly want to puke. Is this professional sports, or is this the "A-Team." ("I pity the fool who don't give me coin!")
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2. BO JACKSON: Bo Jackson was certainly one of the greatest athletes ever to grace a baseball diamond. A tremendously powerful outfielder with the Kansas City Royals (and later Chicago White Sox), I will never forget watching on TV the line-drive homer he hit over the center field fence off Rick Reuschel to lead off the 1989 All-Star Game. Man, what a shot! Plus, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn was an awesome running back for the Raiders in the NFL before he had that infamous hip injury one season. If only he would have given up football like Mickey Mantle did. Bo knew sports - but he certainly couldn't play guitar in those Nike commercials. "Bo, you don't know Diddley!"
3. DICK GROAT: Before Dick Groat became the National League MVP with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1960, he was an All-American basketball player for Duke after averaging 23 points per game. If you don't believe it, read the back of Groat's 1961 Topps card. Groat was always steady at shortstop and led the NL in hitting during his MVP campaign with a .325 average. He was a lifetime .286 hitter and is probably a borderline Hall of Famer.
4. PHIL BRADLEY:: Phil Bradley played in the 1985 All-Star Game representing the Seattle Mariners. That year, he hit .300 with 26 homers, 88 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 192 hits. A lifetime .286 hitter in eight seasons, Bradley also played with the Phillies, the Orioles, and the White Sox. Prior to playing baseball professionally, he was the best quarterback in the old Big 8 Conference with the Missouri Tigers. He also played for the Mizzou baseball team. Last I heard, Bradley was the baseball coach at my wife Melissa's alma mater - Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.
5. JACKIE JENSEN: I've always liked Jackie Jensen. Perhaps it's because of his dislike for air travel; I don't like it either. No, I'm not as scared of flying as Jensen was; in fact, a fear of airplanes somewhat prematurely ended Jensen's career. Imagine if Mark McGwire wouldn't fly to Chicago for a doubleheader? Jensen was the American League MVP for the Boston Red Sox in 1958 when he hit 35 homers and led the Junior Circuit in ribbies with 122. Prior to the majors, Jensen was an All-American fullback for the University of California - breaking off a sizzling 67-yard touchdown run in the 1949 Rose Bowl.
6. TONY GWYNN: It's amazing what Tony Gwynn has done as a major league hitter. He has won eight NL batting titles and has over 3,000 career hits. He does it all with class, too. I'll always respect him because he respects the great hitters like Ted Williams who came before him. He is absolutely reverent when speaking about former players. I hope that he can regain his former stroke; 2000 wasn't exactly a banner year for him, what with injuries and all. But, at least he didn't take his athletic talents to the hardwood. He used to play collegiate basketball for the Aztecs of San Diego State prior to coming to the Padres.
7. KENNY LOFTON: I really hate to give Kenny Lofton his due. I think sometimes he acts like a cocky jerk just like Ken Griffey, Jr. But, he is good. I'll give him that. He definitely is one of the fastest players in history and one of the greatest center fielders of this era. However, while I am glad Gwynn elected to play baseball instead of basketball, I wished Lofton would have taken his attitude to the NBA. Remember him when he played for the Arizona Wildcats and Lute Olson? The Oklahoma Sooners beat Lofton and Company in the 1988 Final Four to reach the national championship game that year against Kansas. We Sooner fans all remember how that one turned out, don't we? Lofton made a good career choice, though. Eight postseason appearances with either the Cleveland Indians or Atlanta Braves. He's also led his league five times in stolen bases and is a .311 career hitter.
8. JACKIE ROBINSON: Everyone knows that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and went on to make the Hall of Fame. But, did you know that he played basketball and football as well as baseball at UCLA? In fact, he led the Bruins (and the Pac-10) in scoring two straight years in basketball. In football, he led the nation one year with 12 yards per carry. No wonder Robinson was such a fireplug on the basepaths.
9. TODD HELTON: Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies will have the most doubles in one season this year since Joe Medwick and Charlie Gehringer both had at least 60 two-baggers during the 1936 campaign. Helton is a heckuva hitter, having flirted with .400 most of the 2000 season. He also used to be the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee before giving way to a guy named Peyton Manning.
10. DEION SANDERS: Now, nobody can ever accuse me of being biased. Well, I am sort of. But, I've got to put Deion Sanders on this list. The guy was a tremendously talented baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds (and Yankees and Braves). I just don't think he had the right head for baseball. Football, though, is another story. He's probably the best cornerback ever to play on any NFL gridiron. But, a little Neon Deion goes a long way. Every time I see him loaded down with his gold chains, I nearly want to puke. Is this professional sports, or is this the "A-Team." ("I pity the fool who don't give me coin!")
