Tracy McGrady is training to be a pitcher and wants to try out for the Skeeters...

Not very promising in the early going...

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/SL_Skeeters">@SL_Skeeters</a> manager Gary Gaetti says former NBA star Tracy McGrady makes his opening day roster. <a href="http://t.co/CkBfIhbgTr">http://t.co/CkBfIhbgTr</a></p>&mdash; Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/459057292025929728">April 23, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Go TMac

 

Happy for him

 

He quit again!

T-Mac Retires From Baseball

[rQUOTEr]Former NBA star and Sugar Land Skeeters pitcher Tracy McGrady started the Atlantic League All Star Game Wednesday at Constellation Field before retiring from baseball after pitching 1.1 innings.

T-Mac struck out the last batter he faced, Atlantic League All Star Bryan Pounds, before walking off the mound to the applause of his teammates. The strikeout was the first and only “K” of McGrady’s baseball career and he kept the baseball for his mantle.

“That is definitely going in the trophy case,” he said from the dugout following his outing. “I told some of the guys that I am going to get a strikeout before I stop playing. I got it in the second inning. Thank you Jesus.”

McGrady started four regular season Atlantic League games pitching a total of 6.2 innings, allowing four hits and five runs. He allowed a run on one hit in the All Star Game.

“It has been a tremendous ride,” McGrady said. “It is my last game today. I informed the team this would be my last outing and I appreciate them giving me this opportunity to start the game and enjoy this great mid-summers classic.

“This has been an awesome year. Not having my basketball career end the way I wanted but having the opportunity to be friends with some of the guys and get to know them and compete with them, learn from them every day, it’s been an honor.”

T-Mac admitted that there were some emotions.

“I got a little emotional coming off the mound. It feels good to be celebrated again.”

McGrady also combined with Lamar Little Leaguer Will Dolan to win the Atlantic League Home Run Derby with six home runs. Dolan hit all six of the team’s bombs.

“I am the first Home Run Derby Champion in history with no home runs,” he joked.[/rQUOTEr]

 

Well damn...that was quick.

 

We knew it wouldn't last. He just wanted to play 'professional' baseball.

 

5 runs in 6.2 innings. With that line I'd have to think he was put on the roster more for ticket sales than his actual talent. Good for him for fulfilling a lifelong dream though I guess.

 

Dang Tmac no championship?

Well, at least good effort.

 

At least he did what he wanted to do which was play baseball.

 

I think they kicked him off the team because some fans complained that they got Budweiser when they ordered Heineken.

 

Better baseball career T-Mac or Jeter?

Serious responses only, please

 

Still a 2nd round virgin

 

There's no crying in baseball

 

He went to the NBA Finals with the Spurs. Hardly ever played, but I guess it counts?

 

He could be starting for the Astros right now.

 

I'm definitely not knocking the league; a number of these players end up getting signed by MLB. And that's the point. I'm doubting whether Tmac was truly good enough to legitimately earn a spot on the team, considering how long it's been since he played. And that he retired so soon only seems to reaffirm that. But again, I'm glad he got the chance. I wish I could have seen him pitch, just for the fun of it.

 

Just an example: Scott Kazmir wasn't signed by any MLB teams a year or so ago, played well with the Skeeters, picked up by the Oakland Athletics, now an All Star.

 

Well, Independent league is compared to high-A ball in the minors.

Tracy's 5 runs in 6.2 innings suggest that he might be better than the number one pick in the 2013 MLB DRAFT Mark Appel, who currently has an ERA over 9 in High A ball.

LOL Stros.