It's hard to fathom how such a feat has been accomplished but the upcoming Out of the Park Baseball 17 features accurate historical minor league rosters that date all the way back to 1919. There are over 100,000 real minor leaguers from the past included in the management simulation video game.
With that in mind I wanted to dig out some of the more intriguing players to have played in the minors, those whose careers were short-lived but went on to have success in other professions. Here are nine such players which include NFL Hall of Famers, stars from the entertainment world, a wrestling legend and a politician.
MORE: Top-ranked players in Out of the Park Baseball 17 | MLB 15: The Show review
John Elway
John Elway, Hall of Fame quarterback and now GM of the Super Bowl Champion Broncos, used his leverage as a highly regarded baseball prospect to force a trade from the Indianapolis Colts after being drafted by them. His stats backed that up as he hit .318 for his one season in the Yankees farm system.
Elway's ratings include 71 Outfield Range, 51 Outfield Arm, 20 Home Run Power, 22 Contact, 45 Eye/Discipline, 75 Speed, and 90 Stealing.
Michael Jordan
In 1994, the greatest basketball player to ever live decided to pursue a dream of playing baseball. Michael Jordan lasted just one season before heading back to the NBA having hit .202 with 3 home runs, 51 RBI, and 30 stolen bases.
Jordan's ratings include 71 Outfield Range, 51 Outfield Arm, 20 Contact, 32 Gap Power, 50 Avoid K's, 96 Speed, and 86 Stealing.
Russell Wilson
The superstar quarterback for the Seahawks played two seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization. Russell Wilson hit .229 with 5 home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 stolen bases. His rights are currently held by the Texas Rangers.
Wilson's ratings include 53 Infield Range, 44 Infield Arm, 59 Turn DP, 17 Contact, 31 Gap Power, 83 Speed, and 78 Stealing.
Kurt Russell
Before he became a movie star, Kurt Russell played four years in the minors. His baseball career is most remembered due to his ties to the independent Portland Mavericks, owned by his father Bing Russell. Don't miss the terrific documentary The Batterered Bastards of Baseball on Netflix for the fascinating story on that team.
Russell's ratings include 53 Infield Range, 44 Infield Arm, 59 Turn DP, 18 Contact, 48 Avoid K's, and 62 Stealing.
Randy Poffo
Better known as WWF/WWE legend "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Randy Poffo played four years of minor league ball from 1971-74. For his career he hit .264 with 16 home runs and 129 RBI. He got into wrestling in 1973 during the baseball offseason.
Macho Man's ratings include 71 Outfield Range, 51 Outfield Arm, 22 Contact, 36 Gap Power, 21 Speed, and 58 Baserunning.
Ricky Williams
During his time at the University of Texas, Ricky Williams played four years in the minor leagues with the Phillies' organization. After winning a Heisman Trophy, he would go on to rush for over 10,000 yards in his NFL career.
Williams' ratings include 46 Outfield Range, 51 Outfield Arm, 19 Contact, 69 Avoid K's, 98 Speed, and 100 Baserunning.
Sammy Baugh
NFL Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh spent a year playing minor league baseball before deciding to concentrate fully on football. He's credited with being the real innovator of the forward pass for the sport.
Baugh's ratings include 68 Infield Range, 62 Infield Arm, 34 Gap Power, 68 Avoid K's, and 69 Speed.
Mario Cuomo
Former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo played one year of minor league ball. His career was cut short after getting hit in the head with a pitch. He then turned to a legal and political career path.
Cuomo's ratings include 43 Catcher Ability, 43 Catcher Arm, 14 Contact, and 25 Gap Power.
Ron Shelton
Film writer and director Ron Shelton spent four years in the minor leagues. He's since been responsible for a number of sports movies including Bull Durham, Cobb, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, and Blue Chips.
Shelton's ratings include 53 Infield Range, 59 Turn DP, 28 Contact, 29 Gap Power, 69 Speed, and 78 Stealing.
Out of the Park Baseball 17 releases for PC on March 22. Pre-orders for the game made by March 18 will receive the game four days early for a beta period.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, has co-founded the new site HitThePass.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast, and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.