The trials and tribulations of Tom Brady at Michigan are well-documented. Behind bigger phenom Drew Henson on the quarterback depth chart, Brady seemed buried in Big Ten obscurity. But based on how his high school coach saw things, football was a long shot anyway. Brady was a star left-handed hitting catcher in high school—a 6'4" hitting and throwing machine. Major League scouts were all over him—particularly one from the Montreal Expos. Les Expos drafted him in the 18th round (about the same level of disrespect as his 6th round NFL selection later on). But the only reason for the low baseball draft position was the fear that he would live up to his commitment to play football at Michigan. It was not a commentary on his talent—which was prodigious. So, if things had gone differently, Tom Brady might be winding down his catching career with the Washington Nationals and not vying for his fourth Super Bowl ring.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tom Brady: The Almost Montreal Expo
The trials and tribulations of Tom Brady at Michigan are well-documented. Behind bigger phenom Drew Henson on the quarterback depth chart, Brady seemed buried in Big Ten obscurity. But based on how his high school coach saw things, football was a long shot anyway. Brady was a star left-handed hitting catcher in high school—a 6'4" hitting and throwing machine. Major League scouts were all over him—particularly one from the Montreal Expos. Les Expos drafted him in the 18th round (about the same level of disrespect as his 6th round NFL selection later on). But the only reason for the low baseball draft position was the fear that he would live up to his commitment to play football at Michigan. It was not a commentary on his talent—which was prodigious. So, if things had gone differently, Tom Brady might be winding down his catching career with the Washington Nationals and not vying for his fourth Super Bowl ring.