Russell Wilson’s dream is to play both football and baseball. He refuses to choose one over the other.
…but NC State’s head football coach Tom O’Brien was compelled to take a more decisive approach. Last Friday the Wolfpack released the star QB from his football commitment. Wilson is playing baseball again this this spring in the Colorado Rockies farm system. He’s currently at second base for the Class A Asheville Tourists. O’Brien needs to move on, but Wilson won’t jettison football.
"While my immediate plan includes playing professional baseball, I have not closed the door on football. With one more season of college eligibility remaining, I will continue to explore and consider all my options." Russell Wilson
You have to admire Wilson’s aspirations, but I can’t imagine having it both ways. The path to excellence at the major league level begins with a commitment – an exclusive commitment – that doesn’t accommodate two sports.
In the Rays’ organization a top prospect has little down time. Even though the minor league season ends around Labor Day, a rookie would next report for instructional league play in Florida. That lasts about a month, and then he would play for about six weeks in the Arizona fall league. (Whoops! There goes football season.)
A veteran minor leaguer would probably sharpen his skills in Latin America playing winter ball in Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. That’s an October to January obligation, and before you know it, it’s time for Spring Training!
If you’re aiming for the majors, it’s a year-round commitment.
…but NC State’s head football coach Tom O’Brien was compelled to take a more decisive approach. Last Friday the Wolfpack released the star QB from his football commitment. Wilson is playing baseball again this this spring in the Colorado Rockies farm system. He’s currently at second base for the Class A Asheville Tourists. O’Brien needs to move on, but Wilson won’t jettison football.
"While my immediate plan includes playing professional baseball, I have not closed the door on football. With one more season of college eligibility remaining, I will continue to explore and consider all my options." Russell Wilson
You have to admire Wilson’s aspirations, but I can’t imagine having it both ways. The path to excellence at the major league level begins with a commitment – an exclusive commitment – that doesn’t accommodate two sports.
In the Rays’ organization a top prospect has little down time. Even though the minor league season ends around Labor Day, a rookie would next report for instructional league play in Florida. That lasts about a month, and then he would play for about six weeks in the Arizona fall league. (Whoops! There goes football season.)
A veteran minor leaguer would probably sharpen his skills in Latin America playing winter ball in Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. That’s an October to January obligation, and before you know it, it’s time for Spring Training!
If you’re aiming for the majors, it’s a year-round commitment.
