XFL

[Waquoit]

Jimmy Graham too, but I wouldn't classify either of them as "fairly capable recreational players."
Both were top tier Div. 1 athletes. Nick Saban wanted Gates to focus on football and he transferred.

True, but you aren't going to MLB without picking up a bat in four years.

 

[Husky25]

True, but you aren't going to MLB without picking up a bat in four years.

No one does, but I don't think that is the point of the exercise.

One game. Gates was not a star from day one.

Incidentally, Jim Morris went from a high school science teacher to MLB pitcher in less than four months.

 

[storrsroars]

Incidentally, Jim Morris went from a high school science teacher to MLB pitcher in less than four months.

Morris already had five seasons in the minors when he first retired due to arm problems. While it took him 10 years to get back to pro ball, it wasn't like he'd never played pro ball before.

 

[Husky25]

Morris already had five seasons in the minors when he first retired due to arm problems. While it took him 10 years to get back to pro ball, it wasn't like he'd never played pro ball before.

It took him 10 years to return to pro ball, not the Majors. He wasn't wallowing in the minors or the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He was an IPS teacher.

He never averaged in the mid 90s in his 1st stint and at 35 years old, I have no problem classifying him as a "fairly recreational player."