NBA and MLB: 13 Who Played in Both
C. Connors B. Celtics Chuck Connors B. Dodgers I was reading an article on yahoo about players who played in both the majors in baseball and the NBA. Multi-sport athletes are nothing new. Jim Thorpe played in the majors and also in the fore runner of the NFL. Babe Didrickson…
I was reading an article on yahoo about players who played in both the majors in baseball and the NBA. Multi-sport athletes are nothing new. Jim Thorpe played in the majors and also in the fore runner of the NFL. Babe Didrickson Zaharias played golf and numerous other sports in her life. And of course, Michael Jordan, and Deion Sanders both played two sports at the professional level.
13 players have played in the NBA and the Major Leagues. Most have spent just a short time in one or the other. Chuck Connors, who gained fame as an actor in the TV series, The Rifleman, had a short career in both. Connors played parts of two seasons in the bigs, 49 with the Dodgers and in 1951 with the Cubs. He hit 2 homers and drove in 18. From 1946-48 he was a center/forward for the Boston Celtics. He averaged 4.5 points a game and made 25.2 % of his shots. He fared much better as an actor.
Conley-Celtics
Gene Conley had an 8-year career as a major league pitcher, and played in 52-53 for the Celtics, came back to play from 58-61 for the Celtics and finished up from 62-64 for the Knicks. Conley was big, 6’8″ 225 pounds. He pitched to a career 91-96 record with a 3.82 ERA. In basketball he averaged 5.9 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
Danny Ainge is best known as the GM of the Boston Celtics. He recently retired from that post. His baseball career was short and undistinguished. He played in the majors for only three seasons finishing with a .220 with 2 homers and 37 driven in. Transitioning to basketball, his career started off slow. But he would eventually play 15 seasons in the NBA and averaged 11.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.0 Assists a game. After his career, he moved into the executive suite.
Frank Baumholtz played in the majors for 10 seasons. He had a .290 career BA. He hit only 25 long balls in his career, but he did finish second in batting in 1952 with a .325 average. A 5’10” guard, he played one season for the Cleveland Rebels of the BAA which 3 years later became the NBA.
Biasatti had a cup of coffee in both baseball and basketball. He played in 21 games for the A’s in 1949 going 2-24. In 46-47 he appeared in 6 games for the Toronto Huskies and scored 6 points.
DeBusschere had a 2-year career as a pitcher for the White Sox. He went 2-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 36 games. As a basketball player, DeBusschere was much more impressive. At 6’6″, 225lb. power forward, he played from 1962-74, he played for Detroit from 62 to the middle of the 68-69 season. He was traded to the Knicks and became a key part of their 69 and 73 Championship teams. He averaged a double-double with 16.1 PPG and 11 RPG for his career. He was a 8 time all-star and was elected to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team in 2021-22.
Dick Groat was a college basketball star at Duke, but he made his mark as a SS. He played for the Pirates in 1952, went back to the minors and returned in 55 for good. He would play in the majors until 1967. He won a batting title in 1960 beating out the Dodgers Norm Larker. He was on the Pirates World Champion team that year and earned the NL MVP award. He also played for the Cardinals, Phillies and Giants. In basketball, he played one season at guard for the Fort Wayne Pistons, averaging 11.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game.
Steve Hamilton was a 6’6″ left-handed pitcher who played in the majors from 1961-72. He pitched for the Yankees, Indians, Senators, White Sox, Giants and Cubs. He had 40 wins, 31 losses and 40 saves in his career. He played two seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers as a forward. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds a game. After he retired, he coached Morehead State for 10 years before becoming the Athletic Director. A post he held until his death in 1997.
Mark Hendrickson, a 6’9″ left-handed pitcher, played in the majors from 2002-2011. He pitched for the Blue Jays, Rays, Dodgers, Marlins and Orioles. He was 58-74 for his career. His ERA was 5.03. Prior to playing baseball, he played in the NBA from 1996-2000. He played for the 76ers, Kings, Nets and Cavaliers. He averaged 3.3 points a game and 2.8 rebounds.
Nash was a college basketball star, and a first baseman on the Kentucky baseball team. He was drafted by the White Sox but overall played in only 16 career MLB at-bats with the Sox and the Twins. He had two hits. He fared a little better in the NBA His rookie season was split between the Lakers and the Warriors. He averaged 3 points and a little under 2 rebounds in 64-65. He also played for the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA in 67-68 averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Reed was 6’6″ and threw right-handed. He pitched in the majors from 1966-1984. He had a career record of 146-140 with a 3.46 ERA and 103 saves out of the bullpen. He pitched for the Braves, Cardinals, Phillies and White Sox. He also played two seasons for the Detroit Pistons averaging 8 points a game and just over 6 rebounds.
Ricketts was a power forward in basketball and a pitcher in baseball. He only played one season in the majors, 1959, with the Cardinals. He was 1-6 with a 5.82 ERA in 12 games. Nine of those were starts. He played in the NBA from 1955 to 1958 with the Hawks and Royals. He averaged 9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
If Schultz’s name seems familiar to Dodger fans, it is because he played for the Dodgers from 1943-47. Howie played in the majors until 1948. He was a first baseman. He hit .241 with 24 long balls and 208 RBI’s. He also played for the Phillies and Reds. In basketball, Howie played for the Anderson Packers, and Fort Wayne Pistons his first year. Spent a year in a rival league and then returned to the NBA with the Minneapolis Lakers from 51-53. He averaged 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds a game as a power-forward. Schultz was 6’6″ 200 pounds.
There they are, 13 players who spent at least some time in the NBA and MLB. Reed probably had the best numbers in the majors. and Debusschere the best basketball career.
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Discussion (83)
Disagree, not disagreeable
No much difference in Vesia.
Freddie is really on an MVP pace. His OPS is up to 1.005, and he is equally lethal against lefties and righties.
He just doesn’t care.
Against southpaws, the OPS is 1.007. Against northpaws, 1.004.
(Still, I wish he hadn’t tried to stretch that single into a double, especially with only a one-run lead. Just a minor quibble.)
With the win, they have the best record and best run differential in the National League.
Despite all the offseason losses and in-season injuries, the Dodgers are where they normally are: at the top of the National League.
Love seeing the defense, from Peralta and and J-Hey
Their bats have been coming around for a while now
Have bat Will travel, reads the card of the man
A night without armor in a savage land
His fast bat for hire heeds, the calling wind
A soldier of fortune is the man called JDM
Don’t understand why when our bullpen has been overtaxed, we pulled Gonsolin after only 70 pitches.
Would’ve felt the same way if Vesia, went 1,2,3
Somebody needs to fire Dontrelle Willis he’s the worst broadcaster I’ve ever heard in my entire life.
Maybe we can trade Vargas’s!
I still believe that come the deadline, AF is going to trade for the best MLB ready arm he can find that is not the most expensive in prospect capital.
Barnes back in the lineup again. When he is in there, you have a 90% chance of getting him out. I like Barnsie, but sheesh, he is a black hole in the order
Dodgers might not see Bader this weekend, He pulled up lame in yesterday’s Yankees game.
Tuesday schedule
4:35 p.m. PT: Great Lakes at Beloit [Marlins]
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City vs. Reno [D-backs]
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Landon Knack) at Wichita [Twins] (Blayne Enlow)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Chris Campos) vs. Inland Empire [Angels] (Leonard Garcia)
All four affiliates were off Monday. Next week (on June 5), the Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League start their seasons on Monday.
10:10 PM ET
Nationals (23-31) Last Place NL East 9.0GB
Dodgers (33-22) First Place NL West 1.5GH
SP Jake Irvin R
1-2 5.32 ERA 22.0IP 19K
SP Tony Gonsolin R
2-1 1.82 ERA 29.2IP 23K
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
RF J. Heyward L
LF D. Peralta L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
C A. Barnes R
Partly-cloudy-day
10% Precipitation
64° Wind 8 mph Out
A side note, ex Dodger prospect Jacob Amaya (who had an abysmal ST with the Marlins following the trade) had been playing really well in AAA. .850 OPS with 7 HRs after a very slow start to the minor league season. I liked the trade at the time, but this one might come back to haunt us.
Rotation in Mid-July:
1. Urias
2. Kershaw
3. Gonsolin
4. Miller
5. Pick one: Pepiot, May, Stone, Syndergaard, Knack, and Grove.
A lot can happen and most of it is good.
It might be interesting to see of one of these guys could be a multi-inning reliever:
Frasso
Sheehan
Hurt
Stone
Knack
We assume a lot as fans. And it is a lot easier for us to make trades and roster moves than it is for AF. If we had the same information he had, we could make much more informed choices, but we do not have that info. Orioles signed Aaron Hicks.
DODGERS RECALL ALEX VESIA
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia and optioned right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone to Triple-A.
Vesia, 27, returns for his second stint with the team after going 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA (9 ER/10.1 IP) and 15 strikeouts in 13 games with the Dodgers this season. He appeared in 10 games for the Oklahoma City Dodgers, allowing five runs in 9.2 innings with 18 strikeouts.In his last nine outings with the club, he has posted a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/9.1 IP) with 18 strikeouts against five hits. He is in his third season with Los Angeles, and he is a combined 8-3 with a 2.78 ERA (32 ER/103.2 IP) and 147 strikeouts in 116 games. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of four seasons with Miami (2020) and Los Angeles (2021-23) and he is 8-4 with 152 strikeouts in 108.0 innings. He was originally acquired from the Miami Marlins on February 12, 2021 along with right-hander pitcher Kyle Hurt in exchange for right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro.
Stone, 24, made three appearances for the Dodgers, allowing 16 runs on 23 hits in 10.0 innings. Last season, he was named the 2022 Dodgers Branch Rickey Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 9-6 with a 1.48 ERA (20 ER/121.2 IP) and 168 strikeouts between High-A Great Lakes, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Arkansas native has been in the Dodger system since being drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Central Arkansas and he is a combined 13-10 with a 2.68 ERA (74 ER/248.1 IP) and 347 strikeouts.
* Good stuff Bear. Fun read.
* Gene Conley grew up in my parents neighborhood and I played some golf with him. Hot Rod Hundley had some great Gene stories. Apparently he was sort of a pre-Dennis Rodman or Bill Walton, type character. He might just fly to Israel as make his next start. Original flake.
* Math question- if Bobby Miller throws a 100 mph fastball on your thumbs, it ticks the bat and goes 12 feet up the line fair, what was the exit velocity and launch angle?
* Bobby Miller’s straight change at 90, is magnificent
* Omar knows what a middle infielder looks like. His assessment of Vargas as a real 2nd baseman, is spot on. Vargas has picked it up quickly and could play there long term if the Dodgers want to that way. He’s more than just taking up space to keep his bat in the line up. That would give Will room move to 3rd when a young catcher is ready.
* I’ve never seen Hayward throw home before to cut down a runner. I never thought much of his arm motion when he makes routine throws. He’s kind of a pie thrower, with little shoulder rotation. Kind of missing a sling or 2.
Then I saw him cut loose yesterday to cutdown the runner at home by a mile. Looked like Vida Blue with that big overhand motion with mustard. No chance for that baby tailing. Perfect one hop, straight bounce. I didn’t know he had that in his bag.
* Wouldn’t it be nice to see Outman start hitting. He has to feel like he’s walking the plank.
* I’m thinking Freddie needs an extension to about age 45 or there’s no chance of him returning to Atlanta.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
#Dodgers have recalled Alex Vesia and Optioned Gavin Stone.
Carson Fulmer signs a minor league deal with the Angels.
Nice article Bear. Sorry most of us have hijacked it to include football players haha.
I was at that Raiders-Bengals playoff game in 1990 or 1991 when Bo injured his hip. Prior to that, he was the freakiest athlete I’ve ever seen and to this day is the best football player I’ve ever watched. Of course, back then I was an LA Raiders fan, but dumped them when they became bay area trash.
I read this snippet this am: “Dodgers pitching at Double-A Tulsa has been exceptional this year. The staff has a combined 2.68 ERA and the starting rotation alone has five pitchers with ERAs under 2. The combination of Landon Knack, Emmet Sheehan, Kyle Hurt, Nick Nastrini, Nick Frasso, and River Ryan (yes, it’s a six man rotation) has a 1.59 ERA (37 ER/209 IP) and could be part of the next wave of help for the Dodgers at the big league level”
Always thought neon deon was so overrated, but bo was a freak of nature! He didn’t play in the nba but Dave Winfield wa a pure athletic stud in 3 sports. Nice job by Miller last night. Catman today and possibly syndergard s last start Wednesday, if grove is ready. Can’t keep running Thor out there pitching (throwing) like he has. Should be some nice outfielders available soon!
The foundation to a great MLB team is starting pitching. As Dodger fans we have sadly learned that the rotation during the season and the rotation during the playoffs are two different animals. Because I have no life, I broke down who I felt was either Our best current starters or who project to be starters by the 2025 season. Projecting out is dangerous because a plethora of issues can derail a pitcher or a pitcher comes out of no where. My uneducated opinion is developing your starter through your system. Actually building the whole team through the system would be great with the possible exception of relief pitchers, they are an unpredictable lot. Speaking of bullpen make up, I think when you have a rotation such as the Dodgers have currently, some of the you pitching would be used in the “Andrew Miller” mode. There is no reason to allow a young pitcher to go through what Stone went through in Tampa Bay. When the team has a veteran staff sometimes one has to take one for the team to eat up innings. When going through what I felt was our top twenty pitchers only four our left handed. I did some adjusting to get to four southpaws. With the trade dead line quickly approaching, I wanted to play GM for a moment. You guys that are reading this have to suffer through my thoughts. First, don’t trade any of your top twelve pitchers for a temporary stop gap. Two don’t put any two of your top twenty for a single player. This post is much too long, I could go on but as my mother would say “please don’t”. For this season we have one urgent need for the playoffs and that is a right handed hitting outfielder. Hopefully Thompson turns it around. I’d love to hear from Mark and Bear their thoughts on our top twenty current and projected out two years starting pitchers.
I saw Bo Jackson run in two huge Touchdowns at Mile High Stadium while sitting in with the Season Ticket Holders in my Raiders shirt.
Also saw him hit a HR at Angel Stadium while playing for The Royals (i think).
What an athlete.
Enjoying this season more than any recent seasons.
My observation having followed the great game for a long time is that it far better to keep your better Pitching Prospects as you can never have enough, plus they cost a lot either in Prospect Capital or in dollars in Free Agency.
I think this is why the Dodgers always seem to Draft Pitchers ahead of Position Players. Better to spend your money on a proven Position Player (Mookie, Freddie) that are less likely to get injured and therefore earn their corn for the duration of their contract.
Pitchers break.
Thanks for another interesting article Michael.
Shout to Badger – hope you’re ok pal.