Former NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady is also a baseball All-Star—of sorts. McGrady, retired from basketball last year and tried his hand at a professional baseball career. It’s not exactly the Big Leagues, as the 35-year-old suited up for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League.
McGrady started four games for the Skeeters and his performances in his second sport were more Michael Jordan than Bo Jackson. During his four appearances McGrady allowed five runs over 6.2 innings giving him an ERA of 6.75. Those stats were enough to earn—sort of—the starting nod in the Atlantic League All-Star game on Wednesday.
During his one-plus innings on the mound McGrady allowed one hit and one run, but more significantly recorded his first strikeout as a pro pitcher. After getting pulled from the game, McGrady called it career and retired from the sport. Here’s what he had to say about the game and his farewell via CBS Houston:
“[The ball] is definitely going in the trophy case,” he said from the dugout following his outing. “I told some of the guys that I am going to get a strikeout before I stop playing. I got it in the second inning. Thank you Jesus.”
“It has been a tremendous ride,” McGrady said. “It is my last game today. I informed the team this would be my last outing and I appreciate them giving me this opportunity to start the game and enjoy this great mid-summers classic… I got a little emotional coming off the mound. It feels good to be celebrated again.”
