The naysayers will point out that he has a 9.00 earned run average. His supporters will say that Tracy McGrady played in the first minor league baseball game of his athletic career.
McGrady, the former NBA star, gave up one run on three hits in one inning of work - the first inning - during the Sugar Land Skeeters' 10-1 exhibition victory over Alvin Community College on Wednesday.
According to blacksportsonline.com, McGrady threw 15 pitches - nine strikes and six balls. It was not reported how fast he was throwing.
McGrady has been pursuing a baseball career since his NBA career ended last summer in the NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs. He signed with the Spurs when they reached the postseason.
KHOU.com reported that the Skeeters currently have 34 players on their roster and need to cut that down to 27 by next Thursday, so McGrady still has a week to prove his mettle.
He is credited with having played in 16 seasons, not including 2012-13 in which he only played in the postseason for the Spurs. Ironically, McGrady never won a playoff series during his career until last season with the Spurs.
The Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, invited the 34-year-old McGrady to their spring training camp on March 10.
"We're intrigued by the progress Tracy has made thus far and really commend him for putting in the work," former Major League baseball player and current Skeetes manager Gary Gaetti said on the Skeeters' website. "He will report to Spring Training with the other players and officially have his opportunity to earn a spot on the team. I'm really interested and excited to see how he continues to improve."
Should Tracy McGrady's baseball skills be commended or does he need to make the Skeeters' roster? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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