Professional athletes are entertainers, so it's not that uncommon for them to make the leap into acting. Just look at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob Uecker, Alex Karras, O.J. Simpson, Ray Allen, and Howie Long.
However it's not often movie stars turn into professional athletes.
Recently, my buddy Mike gave me this 1997 Upper Deck MLS card of Andrew Shue:
Who's Andrew Shue? Well... some of you may remember him Elisabeth Shue's little brother:
While other might know remember him as Billy Campbell on Melrose Place:
It was during his final years on Melrose that Andrew decided to play professional soccer on the side for the Los Angeles Galaxy. In fact, he actually had one assist in five games as a reserve midfielder.
Actually, Shue isn't the only entertainer to test their skills against pro athletes. Check these guys out...
Tom Selleck: 1992 Upper Deck #SP4 w/Frank Thomas
While doing research for his movie, Mr. Baseball... Mr. Selleck pinch hit for Rob Deer during a 1991 Spring Training game.
Bruce Hornsby: 1991 Pro Set SuperStars MusiCards #51
In 1997, Hornsby donned a California Angels jersey and pinch ran for Kevin Bass during a Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners.
Garth Brooks: 1991 OSU Collegiate Collection #87
Garth hasn't played in just one Spring Training game. He's played in a bunch of games for multiple teams: San Diego Padres (1998 & 1999), New York Mets (2000), and the Kansas City Royals (2004). At one point in 2004, he had a career batting average of .047 (2 for 42), which isn't too shabby for a country western singer.
Billy Crystal: 2008 TriStar PROJections #400
Four years ago, Crystal signed a one day, minor league contract with the New York Yankees and played in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He struck out in his only at-bat, but at least he had a "marvelous" time.
Okay... it's your turn to write.
Who's your favorite athlete turned actor... or actor turned athlete?
Happy Thursday everyone and sayonara!
Bill Laimbeer - He was a sleestak on the Saturday Morning Cartoons on The Land of the Lost
ReplyDeleteWow... I loved that show! What was that little monkey boy's name? I've gotta look that one up.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
If you're talking bit parts, James Worthy played a Klingon in an episode of Star Trek:TNG.
DeleteLakers forward James Worthy? Awesome!
DeleteYep, they even did a bit on it on NBA Inside Stuff just before the episode aired.
DeleteChuck Connors (Rifleman) he was a MLB and NBA player.
ReplyDeleteJust looked him up. He was a little before my time, but that's pretty cool. Two sport athlete and a pretty famous actor. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteNot an actor but in the same vein I'm a fan of country singer Charley Pride who played minor league baseball prior to his singing career. He played in some spring games for big league clubs and is a (or was?) a minority owner of the Texas Rangers.
ReplyDeleteNow that's a name I've heard of. Didn't realize he played minor league ball. Very cool. I'll have to see if he has a trading card and add it to this very small collection of cards.
DeleteTough question, Fuji. I had no idea about Andrew Shue. He must have been somewhat of a real player.
ReplyDeleteI will have to go with Harry Doyle aka Bob Uecker. Major League is one of my favorite baseball films of all time.
Yeah... out of all of the guys I wrote about, Shue was the most legit.
DeleteAs for Harry Doyle.. LOVE him! I'll grab a Uecker card one of these days. Maybe at the show this weekend.
the 1960s/early 1970s dodgers had a bunch of guys who appeared in tv shows like willie davis, jim lefebvre, and wes parker. my favorite, however, was don drysdale and his turn on the brady bunch.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing Wes Parker and Drysdale on The Brady Bunch... those were some of my favorite episodes.
DeleteMine is Bubba Smith aka Officer Hightower from Polica Academy. Those were always my favorite movies as a kid and when he dressed as a woman on stakeout...haha.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Police Academy films... especially the guy who could make a bunch of noises. Bubba Smith had a pretty decent acting career according to his IMDB profile. He was on a ton of shows.
DeleteExcellent.
DeleteEd Marinaro-Hill Street Blues,and Fred Dryer-Hunter.
ReplyDeleteI remember wanting a Fred Dryer card so bad in the 80's... I'm headed off to COMC to see if I can find one right now. While I'm over there, I'll see if I can find an Ed Marinaro card too.
DeleteWhile many of these athlete did cameos and even some (terrible) movies, Andrew Shue was the real deal - going from acting to athlete. I don't mean to bash batting in spring training, but its a lot different then lacing up the boots to play in a real league game with studs up and paychecks on the line.
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't a standout mind you, but he did get some games on being a good athlete and somewhat skilled payer. That's more than I can say for Ocho Cinquo, (Chad Johnson) who tried out for MLS's Kansas City. He looked like a kid among adults.
PS - that 1997 Upper Deck set is getting harder and harder to find (especially all the inserts) Nice pick up. If your friend has any more, let me know.
Yeah... out of all of those guys, Shue was the only one to play in a regular season game. I'm seeing my buddy tomorrow and will ask if he has extras.
DeleteNot a favorite, but didn't Master P play with the Raptors and Hornets in a few preseason games?
ReplyDeleteYep. I was going to write about him, but was unable to find any cardboard of him.
DeleteGotta be The Rock. Not that wrestling isn't already acting in a way, but he has pulled the trick off quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteGreat call... I wonder if he has any Miami Hurricane cards.
DeleteIn the vein of Andrew Shue, there was also Scott Patterson, who started his career as a pitcher in the Braves and Yankees minor league system in the 1980s. He's got a fairly steady acting career now, making a name for himself with 7 seasons as Luke Danes on the Gilmore Girls.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget that both Randy Savage and Kurt Russell spent some time in the minors before going on to their successful careers.
I have never seen the Gilmore Girls, so I don't know who Scott Patterson is. I'll definitely look him up after this.
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize Russell played minor league ball... definitely cool... And I completely forgot about the Macho Man playing baseball... nice call.
Fred Dryer Los Angeles Rams to Hunter and his co-Star was smokin HOT!
ReplyDeleteBut my favorite would be Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. playing baseball see below from interview:
01/21/2005 - Updated 06:23 PM ET
Chipster Entertainment
Blackie Lawless
W.A.S.P.: Blackie Lawless
Question from: Boise, ID: Understand you were quite a baseball player at one time. What position did you play, and can you give a little history?
Answer: Blackie Lawless: I used to pitch and play first base. I have a history of professional baseball in my family --my uncle played for the Yankee, and another uncle had a chance to play for Detroit. Both of them could throw around 100 mph. It kind of runs in the family. Had I not done music, that's truly what I would have wanted to do. I bleed Yankee pinstripes.
Stephanie Kramer? Heck yeah, she's hot.
DeleteBlackie Lawless from W.A.S.P? I'm sure he has a piece of cardboard somewhere out there. Maybe he has a Pro Set or Mega Metal trading card. I'll have to look into it.