When one thinks of great two-sport athletes, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan, Deion Sanders immediately come to mind, even Tom Brady was drafted as a catcher by the Montreal Expos. With the World Series coming to a close, it came to light Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is a two-sport athlete, playing both hockey and baseball, and has his own Elite Prospects page.
Attending Brighton High School in Rochester, NY from 2010 to 2014, Clement posted 70 goals, 54 assists in 79 total games, notching 27 goals, 25 assists in his graduation year, finishing fifth in area scoring.
Another Blue Jay, George Springer, a native of Connecticut, grew up a Hartford Whalers fan. Though the Whalers moved to Raleigh in 1997 becoming the Carolina Hurricanes, Springer continues to honour the Whalers by donning blue and green batting gloves.
While there haven’t been many two-sport athletes who’ve played both baseball and hockey professionally, only one, Jim Riley played in each of Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.
Jim Riley
Born in Bayfield, New Brunswick in 1895, from 1915 through 1924, minus two years serving as a member of the Canadian Military, Riley played for the Victoria Aristocrats and Seattle Metropolitains in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.
Riley was part of the 1917 Seattle club who defeated the then-National Hockey Association Montreal Canadiens to become the first United States-based team to win a Stanley Cup.
Riley’s best season was 1920-21 where the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame inductee scored 23 goals in only 24 games.
During his time in Seattle, Riley also plied his trade playing minor league baseball in Vancouver, and was signed as a second baseman by the St. Louis Browns, appearing in four games during the 1921 MLB campaign. Two years later, Riley saw action at first base for the Washington Senators, playing another four games.
Bouncing between sports, Riley continued to play minor league baseball and was fortunate to suit for nine 1926-27 NHL games, three with the Chicago Blackhawks and six for the Detroit Cougars registering two assists.
Justin Morneau
Morneau’s baseball accomplishments are plenty; 2006 American League MVP with the Minnesota Twins, four-time AL All Star, 2014 National League batting champion with the Colorado Rockies.
But until his late teens, Morneau preferred to use a catching glove of another sport. Following the footsteps of his dad, George who played for the Western League’s Brandon Wheat Kings in 1968-69, the younger Morneau tended goal in his native New Westminster, BC minor hockey association.
A natural athlete. Morneau was good enough to be noticed by the WHL Portland Winter Hawks receiving a camp invite, appearing in one preseason game.
Tom Glavine
How many MLB Hall of Famers were selected in the NHL Entry Draft? Better yet, how many MLB Hall of Famers were selected in the NHL Entry Draft ahead of two future NHL Hall of Famers?
Selected 64th overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Glavine was drafted ahead of Brett Hull (117th) and Luc Robitaille (171st).
After a garnering a whopping 94 points (47 goals, 47 assists) in 23 games at Billerica High School in Massachusetts, Glavine was a highly-sought centre. The native of Concord, MA topped his league in scoring, finishing ahead of the likes of Jim Vesey Sr., Tim Sweeney, Stephen Leach, Ted Donato.
However, wasn’t only drafted by the Kings in 1984, he was also selected by the Atlanta Braves in the same year.
As history shows, Glavine certainly chose the right sport.
The left-handed starting pitcher had a distinguished 22-year career, winning 305 games, two Cy Young Awards, 10-time All Star, five-time NL wins leader, 1995 World Series champ and MVP with the Braves.
Kirk McCaskill
Born in Kapuskasing, ON, McCaskill spent four years at the University of Vermont where he played both hockey and baseball. After 51-point (28 goals, 23 assists) 1980-81 sophomore season, the right wing was selected 64th in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. The following season, McCaskill was a NCAA Hobey Baker Award nominee.
But unlike his dad, Ted who played four games for the Minnesota North Stars and parts of two seasons with the World Hockey Association Los Angeles Sharks, Kirk didn’t quite get into an NHL game.
The younger McCaskill was recalled by the Jets from their Sherbrooke American League affiliate during the ’83-84 season. However, he did not make an appearance on the game roster.
Selected in the 1981 MLB Draft by the California Angels, McCaskill made the decision to make a permanent switch to baseball following his only pro hockey season.
A talented starting pitcher, McCaskill went on to win 106 games over a 12-year career split between the Angels and Chicago White Sox.
McCaskill is a member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Home › Forums › Hockey And Baseball Athletes Collide