Elway & Winfield, Some Good Stories, and a Great One About One of the First of the Multi-sport Professional Student Athletes
By: Bear
John Elway was born to throw something.
His arm strength served him well
for both college football and college baseball. After being drafted in baseball,
Elway quickly learned of his 'challenges' toward hitting minor league pitching
and the Uncle Charlie and Sister Sallie (e.g breaking pitches.)
Dave Winfield got his miracle shot at baseball thru the encouragement, motivation,
and Confidence from the one and only Tommy LaSorda, Baseball's Chairman of the Board.
And believe me when I tell you that keen
eyes LaSorda went deep out on the limb
with Winfield.
Any one interested a copy of Winfield's scouting report, drop a line.
The first of the 'modern' day two
sport professional athletes (& before
it became big $$$$$) is non-other than
Tommy Brown, a Takoma Park resident
(lived near a bunch of baseball players
from the Washington Senators). After college at the Univ of Maryland, Tommy was drafted by Fraz Branzell & played briefly for
for the Washington Senators. Brown also excelled in football having completed is
illustrious career with Lombardi and the GB Packers.
For those interested, Brown departed
the Takoma Park area and headed to Salisbury,
to raise his family (son is playing baseball
with Jack Stallings at Georgia Southern), and teach baseball to the 6-14 yr olds. I highly recommend Brown's winter and summer camps, which can always be complemented with
very good geese hunting trips to the Eastern Shore in the fall (or White Marlin Tournaments in OC over the summer)
cheers
Bear