The New York Yankees made a splash in free agency earlier this offseason by trading for the reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. Apparently that wasn’t the only superstar they had their sights on.
Only problem? This superstar plays a different sport.
Russell Wilson may be known for what he does on the gridiron, but the Seattle Seahawks quarterback was a two-sport athlete in high school, landing him as a draft pick for both the National Football League and Major League Baseball.
Wilson was selected in the fourth round of MLB’s 2010 first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies, playing in their system for two years after.
Choosing to focus on football, he was selected as the no. 75 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, beating out then projected starter Matt Flynn for the starting job.
One year later, the Texas Rangers then acquired Wilson off the Colorado roster via the Rule 5 Draft in 2013.
Fast forward to present day, and the Rangers decided on Wednesday to trade the 29-year-old Wilson to the Yanks for future considerations.
We have acquired INF @DangeRussWilson from the Rangers in exchange for future considerations. Wilson is expected to be at camp in March.
🏈+⚾️ pic.twitter.com/NRyksQeQtl
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 7, 2018
Thank you Texas…Hello New York.
Always said we’d be a Yankee Pops! #MLB @Yankees https://t.co/aMnmL3SPsZ
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) February 7, 2018
Despite of course choosing football over baseball and never appearing in a Major League game, Wilson does appear from time to time at spring training, and will reportedly do so at the Yankees’ Grapefruit League camp in Tampa, Florida when players report.
Wilson thanks the Rangers organization Wednesday in an official statement –
“I want to personally thank the Texas Rangers for giving me the chance to experience professional baseball again,” Wilson said. “Growing up taking grounders, hitting BP, and throwing deep post routes early in the mornings with my dad and brother is where my love of sports came from, and those memories stick with me every morning I wake up. I remember how excited I was when Texas selected me in the Rule 5 Draft in December 2013. During my two springs in Arizona with the Rangers, I was reminded just how much I love the game of baseball.
While football is my passion and my livelihood, baseball remains a huge part of where I came from and who I am today. I’ve learned so much on the baseball field that translates to my game physically and mentally playing quarterback in the NFL. I thank the Rangers and their great fans for making me feel at home and a part of the family! While I embrace the chance to be a New York Yankee, I will forever be grateful to have been a part of a world class organization like the Texas Rangers.”
The Yankees, who now have a better QB on their roster than both the Jets and Giants, joking promised to return Wilson back to the Seahawks in mint condition on Twitter after the trade.
(h/t ESPN)
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