Deion Sanders and a Two-Sport Feat Unlike Any Other
By Keaton Moore
Being excellent in one professional sport is difficult enough and it’s even harder to excel as a two-sport athlete. Most notably, Deion Sanders was a strong two-sport athlete with appearances in both the World Series and Super Bowl.
Since 1970, only seven sportsmen reached both the MLB and NFL. Among this rare company, Deion Sanders simultaneously played in professional baseball and football from 1989-1995, during which time he did what Bo Jackson was unable to do. He is the only sportsman in history to appear in the World Series and Super Bowl.
Following his stardom at Florida State, the New York Yankees selected Sanders in the 30th round of the 1988 MLB draft. Within a year, the Atlanta Falcons chose Sanders fifth overall in the 1989 NFL draft. Facing an athletic fork in the road, Sanders decided to take both and by 1990 he was established in baseball and football.
Through his 13 seasons in the NFL, Sanders became a four-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro-Bowler. Meanwhile, he built a nine-season career in MLB, where he spent a majority of his time with the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
As a member of both the Braves and Atlanta Falcons, Sanders helped his team to the NL West pennant in 1992. He batted .304 with 26 stolen bases and a National-League leading 14 triples. After he quietly batted his way through the NLCS, his bat came alive during the World Series. However, the Toronto Blue Jays bested the Braves to win their first of back-to-back championships. Amid their losing effort, Sanders batted .533 in 17 plate appearances, scoring four runs and stealing five bags.
Just two years later, Sanders received another shot at a professional sports championship while playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Under the dominance of Steve Young and Jerry Rice, the Sanders took part in the Niners’ 1994 Super Bowl championship. The following season, Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys took home the Super Bowl trophy.
Next: Boston Red Sox Scouting Report on OF Andrew Benintendi
Despite the chance of someone winning both championships, nothing can dim Sanders’ impressive accomplishment. With the Falcons seeking their first franchise championship, Atlanta fans fondly look back on Sanders’ time in their city.