Kirk Gibson and the rabbit hole

sunshine

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Gibson was a tremendous athlete and for my money a better raw athlete than Bo Jackson. Kirk as most know was a WR star at Michigan State but opted to play baseball instead. Turns out it was a good choice albeit he had an injury plagued career. His power /speed combo was out of orbit.


But the truth of the matter is the minor league baseball fields are the greatest wasteland of white speed. My feeling is simple. If you can make it in baseball then go for it. Problem is too many white athletes who lack the talent should stick to football or possibly track.There are too many examples of speedy whites gettinglost in the shuffle playing baseball when they should be playing football. Some of it is cultural. Most parents feel more comfortable that their sons are in baseball rather than the harder edged and more black world of football. But if you want to play pro sports you have to be realistic regarding odds. And too often guys opt for baseball and simply cannot cut it. Sometimes cooler heads prevail. Jason Seehorn saw the light and made the switch. Sadly he is a rarity.Keith Smith the QB of Arizona U made thechange and went on to have a good college football career--but not the pros.He may have been better off in baseball--goes both ways of course but most error by going into baseball.


A few recent examples. Robbie Sovie was considered the fastest HS baseball prospect in 2002. A track star in HS(so was Podsednik of course) and football standoutSoviesigned to play at western Carolina but opted to play baseball with the Tiger organization. Results: three pathetic years in the minors. Is Sovie going to see the light and get back in football.The overall trendsuggests probably not. Chris Covington was a star speedrunning back in Atlanta area and was signed at Georgia southern . Instead he chose baseball and could not even bat 100 in his first year. Jeff Jorgensen was a star track athlete who played baseball at Rice. Plays in Astros system but must not have played last year. He was considered the fastest college prospect in the year he was drafted--2003. And on and on. The Braves even tried to draft an Australian sprinter but turns out I guess the guy can't play baseball--anyone know his name--it was fairly recent. Anyway the moral of the story is there are tons of other examples of speedy white athletes stuck in neutral by choosing baseball over football. Will they ever learn?


Speaking of Podsednik he was considered the second fastest HS player in his draft year. Was a star sprinter in HS. The only player faster was two sport star Mckay Christensen. ( record setter in football at running back)Mckay went on a two year Mormon mission and then blew off football. Made it to majors briefly but never caught on. May be out of baseball now. Guys who go on Mormon missions are not as serious about becoming pros. it seems--priorities. They can do what they want but don't expect to play pro sports if you go on two year missions.,very few end up making it. And truth be told Podsednik barely made it to bigs and if not for a few breaks would still be in minors.


It is tought out there.
 

Don Wassall

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Lots of good info. Another factor to consider is that at least they have a shot at baseball, even if they're better at football. If you're white, very fast and a very good RB, WR or CB, what are the odds of making it at the pro level, or of even getting a scholarship at a I-A school to play your position? Practically non-existent. Gibson today would be recruited as a linebacker or fullback.
 

JD074

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Great stuff, guys. Hitting Major League pitching has
to be one of the most difficult things in all of sports.
What could be tougher? On the other hand, football
is so segregated that many young white players
probably don't see a realistic chance of making it in
the NFL. If the caste system ever breaks down, who
knows how many white athletes will choose football
over baseball. Football is so popular, many will
definitely choose it when whites start getting
recognition at the taboo positions. Many young
athletes seem very savvy nowadays to which sports
give them a chance at making it.

Good point about parents not liking football-
especially moms!
 
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