"Now batting for the Red Sox…Rightfielder...Michael Vick"

If you have been following the recent news fodder you have undoubtedly learned that Michael Vick, former QB for the Atlanta Falcons and Virginia Tech überstar, has been sentenced to 23 months of hard time in a federal penal facility. For all intents and purposes, his football career is over. Unlike my esteemed colleague Mr. Wissa, I do not foresee a football opportunity awaiting Vick upon his release; slowed by inactivity and bad prison food lacking in protein, the artist formerly known as # 7 has no hope of regaining the elite status he once held among his NFL peers. That is fine – it was fun while it lasted, and Michael Vick is one of the greatest athletes of our generation. That is why he should forgo any remaining football eligibility and pursue a career in Major League Baseball.

Crazy you say? I think not. Michael Vick was drafted 887th overall in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies , ahead of former Red Sox rising star Kason Gabbard, current Yankees starter Jeff Karstens, and Conor Jackson of the D-Backs, who slugged 32 HR and 147 RBI in 2007. The Rockies obviously saw some potential in Vick, enough to take a chance that he would accept their offer and chase down fly balls as an outfielder in the cavernous confines of Coors Field. Now, with hopes of football glory slowly deteriorating, Vick can use his time off to hone his baseball skills, a much easier task than attempting to come back to the vicious, violent sport of football. Reportedly, Vick has not played baseball since a brief stint as a 13-year old with his middle school team. But in high school when Vick decided to concentrate on football, the high school baseball coach, Dwayne Peters, remarked, ''It's a shame, the kid could throw.''

It all makes sense – Michael Vick can reinvent himself as a baseball superstar, a present day Deion Sanders. What MLB team would not take a 5 month flyer on Vick in the hopes that they could turn him into a utility outfielder or pinch running guru? In case he reads this from his prison cubicle – Mike, the NFL dream is dead. It’s over buddy. Salvage what you can and take your talents to America’s Favorie Pastime. I’m sure the Red Sox will be looking for a 4^th outfielder for the 2010 season.

Call me crazy. But we can only dream that the Michael Vick Experience steps into a Major League Baseball park near you.

-- TGV, aka "the Train"