Talent is a funny old thing – when it’s there, it’s there! The concepts of two-sport or multisport superstars are anomalies, but they certainly exist. Imagine learning that your favorite baseball player is an equally talented football player, golfer, or tennis player. Would you be surprised to learn that such rarities exist in professional sports?
Today, we will highlight several top-tier baseball athletes – past and present – who graced the stage in other sports. These supremely talented stars were gifted with sporting prowess, and they took it to the next level.
The sporting prowess of these athletes places them squarely in a league of their own. Some aficionados deem them iconic demigods of their game. Of course, it takes all sorts of players to electrify the crowds. While many folks can only dream of achieving world-class athlete status, others get to live the dream. Fortunately, you can pretend you’re a champion and play for the win.
This option comes in the form of Immortal Ways Champions – Vintage Olympic Games, by Ruby Play. This social game showcases world-class athletes competing for their slice of the pie. All of the competitors are supremely talented professionals. And the best part is no pitching, hitting, tackling or running skills are required. So sit back, relax, and let the pro-athletes do their thing.
But what if you want to see that versatility at play in the real world? Good news! Look no further than our list of superstars. In the world of professional sports, a few standout names didn’t settle for greatness in one sport. Let’s start with Tim Tebow, a name synonymous with football, who also made waves in baseball.
Tim Tebow: College Football, NFL & Baseball Minor Leagues
Several big names, including the inimitable Tim Tebow, reign supreme in the multi-sport arena. Most people recognize Tim Tebow as the devout Christian who became a football phenomenon. Indeed, the Heisman Trophy winner was also a national champion in college football. He was the player-winning QB for the Denver Broncos at the professional level.
However, many may not remember his professional baseball career, which began in 2016.
Tim Tebow joined the New York Mets Minor League team and spent four seasons with them as an outfielder. Pundits and sports enthusiasts said he performed well in the outfield despite limited baseball exposure—stats gurus recollect his 0.734 OPS from 84 games (Double-A) in 2018. By 2021, Tim Tebow had retired from baseball.
Kyler Murray: From the A’s to the Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray is perhaps best known for being the #1 pick for the 2019 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals prospered with Murray’s inclusion in the team. He went on to star as the Pro Bowl quarterback. His impressive stats read as follows: 60 5G, 65 GS, 1492 COMP, 2239 ATT, 15,647 YDS, 94 TDs, 46 INT, 149 SCK, and 1082 SCKY.
As a baseball player with the A’s, Murray was undoubtedly supremely talented. He joined the A’s for Spring Training in 2019, inking a $4.66 million contract. The Oakland Athletics contract alone speaks volumes for their faith in his baseball prowess. They invited the non-roster Kyler Murray to Spring Training on January 24, 2019, but he never got to play because of his football commitments.
Deion Sanders: Prime-Time Superstar in the NFL and MLB
Back in the day, decades ago, one name reigned supreme in baseball and football – Deion Sanders. Known as prime-time, he was an NFL superstar, with plenty of pomp and ceremony on the field. This Hall of Famer was a defensive back, but he was also a part-time wide receiver. In the course of his glittering career, he had 53 interceptions. He played for five teams, including the Ravens, Washington, 49ers, Cowboys, and the Falcons.
But that’s only half the story – Deion Sanders was also an MLB superstar. Remember, he was in the NFL for 14 years, and in baseball during nine of those years. He dominated as an outfielder for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and the Atlanta Braves. Plus, he stole an incredible 186 basis, with 56 in 1997 alone when he was with the Cincinnati Reds.
His MLB career stats read as follows: 641 G, 2123 AB, 308 R, 558 H, 833 TB, 72 2B 43 3B, 39 HR, 168 RBI, 7 IBB, 352 SO, 186 SB, 63 CS.
Bo Jackson: Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.)
They don’t call him the goat for nothing. Jackson truly was the greatest of all time – at least in our opinion. Not only was he a football superstar, tearing it up on the field with bone-crunching TDs, but Jackson was also a phenomenal hitter of home runs. Between 1986 and 1994, Jackson played for several teams including the Angels, the White Sox, and the Royals. But he also competed with the big leagues of football – the NFL. He played for the NFLs Los Angeles Raiders between 1987 and 1990. Get this: he’s the only superstar athlete to be an NFL Pro Bowl champion and an MLB All-Star.
According to legend, while was playing with the Raiders against the Seahawks in 1987, he sprinted for a 91 yard touchdown – the best of the year. To cement his status as a superstar football player, he repeated that same achievement 2X during his 4 NFL seasons. From a baseball POV, his best moment occurred in 1999 during All-Star game. He smashed the leather off a ball, as it exploded off his bat and travelled 448 feet to date centerfield during the first innings at Anaheim Stadium, California. His career RBI was 415, with 598 H in 694 games.
