Former Minnesota Twins World Series champion third-baseman Gary Gaetti had a 20-season playing career in the majors that ended in 2000.
But just because his playing career is over doesn’t mean Gaetti is out of the game, and while the spotlight isn’t as bright as 1987, it still occasionally shines on the “G-Man”.
Gaetti assumed the post of manager for the Sugar Land Skeeters, an Atlantic League baseball team in Sugar Land, Texas, when the Skeeters began their inaugural season in 2012.
That same year, the Skeeters signed 50-year-old Roger Clemens to a contract late in their first season of existence, a move that drew massive media attention and prompted ESPN to carry his first start on their online network.
Just over one year later, the Skeeters are making news again.
According to multiple reports, former NBA shooting guard Tracy McGrady has a deal with the Atlantic League club to get a shot at pitching for the team.
While the press release from the Skeeters makes it sound as if they’re open to giving McGrady the opportunity, it doesn’t sound like “T-Mac” will see the field anytime soon.
Here’s the release:
“Tracy McGrady is one of the most elite athletes of this era and we appreciate his interest in pursuing a life-long dream with the Sugar Land Skeeters and the Atlantic League. While the Atlantic League is considered the highest level of baseball outside of Major League Baseball, McGrady has demonstrated skill, determination and diligence during his training program at Constellation Field. We look forward to monitoring his progress.”
So who is working with McGrady on that progress? None other than the aforementioned Clemens.
According to reports from Fox 26 in Houston, Clemens says McGrady is working on location and is only firing at 83-85 miles per hour.
For a league that is highly thought of in baseball circles and also claims to be the top hardball outside of the majors, mid-80s from the right side will not cut it.
Still, a new twist for a former basketball star who, despite 15 years in the NBA that produced over 18,000 career points, is only 34-years-old and reportedly in great shape.
The Skeeters, led by Gaetti, went 95-45 last season, a record for the league that has placed over 600 players in Major League organizations its 16 years of operation.
What’s possible when Gaetti, Clemens, and McGrady come together to try and make a seven-time NBA All-Star into a pitching phenom? We’ll have fun watching from afar when their season opens April 24.
