A passing thought
The would-be shortstop in 1938
The St. Louis Cardinals see a potential shortstop from Texas Christian University and sign him 87 years ago today — and promptly bring him to spring training before sending him to the minor leagues.
The Cardinals foresee a rangy player in the middle of the infield, this 6-foot-2, 185-pounder from Temple, Texas.
Does not seem to matter to them that this would-be shortstop already has another, non-baseball job waiting for him.
Nope, they decide to start the 1938 season by assigning him to the minors, splitting the summer between their Class AA teams in Rochester and Columbus.
There, this player hits just .220 with a couple of doubles in 16 games at Columbus, but does not fare any better at Rochester, where he hits .183 with a triple and home run in 37 games.
Just about then, the other job — that one outside of baseball — calls.
Sammy Baugh on more familiar turf
So, the 24-year-old shortstop – a fellow named Sammy Baugh – says goodbye to the Cardinals returns to the National Football League for his second season as a quarterback with Washington.
Baugh already is a star in the NFL after a 1937 rookie season in which he leads Washington to the championship while leading the league with 81 completions, 1,127 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Baugh ends up with a 16-year career in the NFL – all with Washington.
During those 16 seasons, Baugh builds a resume that includes another championship in 1942, four All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowls and a spot on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963.