14 MLB stars who could have been stars in other sports too
Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson is a member of the Rangers' Minor League system, and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston is a preseason All-American in baseball. But pro baseball players have their share of other-sport stardom in their past, as well. Here's a few examples:
1. Kirk Gibson
The D-backs manager was named an All-American wide receiver at Michigan State in 1978.
2. Tom Glavine
A Massachusetts native, Glavine was drafted in the fourth round of the 1987 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings.
3. Bob Gibson
The Hall of Famer graduated from Creighton and only began his career with the Cardinals after playing the 1957-58 season with the Harlem Globetrotters. He continued to play with the Globetrotters in several subsequent offseasons.
4. Ferguson Jenkins
This Hall of Famer was another pitching Globetrotter, playing with them from 1967-69.
5. Todd Helton
The Rockies legend was Tennessee's starter at quarterback for a few weeks in 1994. He suffered a knee injury and was replaced by ... Peyton Manning.
6. Tom Candiotti
The knuckleballer never threw a perfect game -- but he's bowled one. He was inducted into the celebrity wing of the International Bowling Hall of Fame in 2007.
7. Tony Gwynn
The Padres' contact hitter extraordinaire credited his bat speed to wrists strengthened from his time playing point guard at San Diego State from 1977-1981. He still holds the school's season and career records for assists.
8. Jackie Robinson
Before he broke MLB's color line Robinson excelled in baseball, football, basketball and track at UCLA (including winning the NCAA championship in the long jump in 1940). He also briefly played pro football with the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League in 1941.
9. Curtis Pride
Deafness didn't stop Pride from having an 11-year MLB career. Nor did it stop him from scoring two goals for the U.S. in the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship in China.
10. Kenny Lofton
The five-time stolen base champion went to Arizona on a basketball scholarship and played in the 1988 Final Four.
11. Nyjer Morgan
Before he was T-Plush in MLB and NPB, Morgan had dreams of playing in the NHL. He played for a number of Junior "B" teams across Canada and briefly at the Major Junior level for the Regina Pats.
12. Vince Coleman
You'd think a basestealer like Coleman would have played college football as a receiver or defensive back, right? Actually, Coleman was a punter and kicker for Florida A&M from 1978-81.
13. Jeff Samardzija
The Cubs starter was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation's best receiver) at Notre Dame in both 2005 and '06.