Two Sport Stars: Danny Ainge trading lumber for the hardwood
Before Danny Ainge was hitting triples in the National Basketball Association, he was hitting triples in Major League Baseball.
A highly touted athlete out of high school, Danny Ainge was drafted in the 15th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays were an expansion team in 1977 so their cabinets were barren of not just quality players, but players in general.
Ainge was also leaving high school headed to Brigham Young University to play basketball. At age 18 and a freshman at BYU, Ainge averaged 21 points and 5 assists a game. When the season was over he reported straight to Triple-A Syracuse where he understandably struggled on his way to a .229 average for the year.
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These numbers didn’t bother the Jays, they were short of talent at the big league level, so they promoted him. Ainge was 3-4 with an RBI in his debut and would spend the year going back and forth from Syracuse to Toronto. He finished his season with a .237 average in 87 games for the big club.
He was back to BYU for the basketball season. And so was the life of a young Danny Ainge, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the summer.
As a senior at BYU Ainge upped his offensive game and put his team in the national spotlight with a huge win over Notre Dame. He was good enough to be selected with the 8th pick of the 2nd round by the Boston Celtics, bringing an end to his baseball playing days.
Ainge played 15 years in the NBA and won two championships with the Boston Celtics. I think he made the correct career decision. He is currently the general manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics.
His baseball career lasted just three seasons. In 211 games he was a career .220 hitter with limited to no power. His best strength was his versatility as he could play all over the diamond, outside of pitching and catching.
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Reaching the top level of two sports is quite an accomplishment. Hats off to Danny Ainge for his athletic achievements.