50 Star Athletes We Wish Had Tried Baseball

In a world full of superstar athletes, we see some of the best every individual sport has to offer.

Whether it's a rocket arm throwing touchdown passes, or a court vision that rivals the best of all time, athletes clearly set the standard for what all aspiring stars hope to achieve.

Since we see these stars doing what they do best, it's hard to see them making a living any other way. But that doesn't mean we can't wonder what could have been.

Feel free to add any additional names that may have been missed, but here are some of the world's best athletes who could have thrived had they chosen to take to the diamond.

Andy Roddick

If we could just pretend for a second that a lightning fast serve would translate to a wicked fastball, Andy Roddick would be an ace on most major league teams.

On top of that, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see his wife, Brooklyn Decker, sitting in the stands.

Kobe Bryant

He's clutch on the court, and with clutch performers a hot commodity around the league, Kobe Bryant's athletic ability could be an electrifying addition to an MLB roster.

Usain Bolt

Assuming he could actually find a way to get on base consistently, Usain Bolt would probably be in line to blow Rickey Henderson's stolen base record out of the water.

John Elway

He's one of the best quarterbacks of all time, and as the head of the Denver Broncos has managed to land another all-time great in Peyton Manning.

Just think about what he could've done on the mound in his prime.

Christiano Ronaldo

Some consider Christiano Ronaldo to be the best athlete in the world, and while his fancy footwork may not translate to a baseball diamond, you'd have to think a player with the gifts that he has would be able to showcase some talents on the field.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant has brought the Oklahoma City Thunder toward the top of the Western Conference in the NBA and has a great chance of leading his team to a trip to the NBA finals.

He's clearly got skills that are virtually unmatched on the basketball court, and while he'd have one of the biggest strike zones the league has seen in quite some time, he'd still probably find a way to turn heads.

Carl Hagelin

He's lightning fast on skates, and while that's a far cry from donning a pair of spikes and taking to the base paths, Carl Hagelin would be a threat to swipe a base any time he was standing on one.

Brett Favre

It's hard to believe Brett Favre didn't make another comeback last season, and while his football days are probably (but who really knows) over, his blistering passing could make him a hit on the mound.

Kyle Busch

Kyle Busch is one of the most hated NASCAR drivers currently on the circuit, and while he may have nothing to offer on the mound, he could be a perfect battery mate for one of baseball's least liked players, A.J. Pierzynski.

Tiger Woods

Yes, Tiger Woods is still working his way back into the form he previously took to the course every week on the PGA Tour.

But as he's displayed throughout his time since joining the tour in 1996, athleticism is an asset that can be invaluable no matter what sport you're playing.

Shaquille O'Neal

Given Shaquille O'Neal's willingness to try just about anything, it's almost surprising he hasn't yet tried his hand at baseball.

He'd certainly be a strikeout waiting to happen anytime he stepped in the batter's box, but he could probably hit a ball just about as far as anyone out there if he could ever manage to connect.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is football's ultimate playcaller, and with as much athletic ability as he's shown (when healthy) you'd have to believe he could take over a baseball team if he had taken that route.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps will be quite occupied this summer with the London Olympic games right around the corner, but with a wingspan like his, he could probably snare a few line drives that would otherwise make their way through the infield.

Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin is one of the biggest stars the NHL has to offer right now, and with a slapshot like that, he could probably do some damage to a baseball if he could ever get a proper swing down.

Dan Marino

Dan Marino could've played baseball after being selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the 1979 MLB draft, but he ultimately chose to take the path of a football player.

And while nobody is doubting that decision, you'd have to wonder what he could've done had he chosen to stick with America's pastime.

LeBron James

With immense talent on the basketball court, and a polished career as a high school football player, LeBron James would find himself on almost any list of players who could take on a new sport.

Sidney Crosby

Exceptional stick handling skills, great speed, and a phenomenal awareness all help Sidney Crosby dominate on the ice—when healthy.

He wouldn't have to worry about taking the same hits on a baseball diamond, although as Justin Morneau can attest to, concussions are still a hazard.

Eric Decker

With Peyton Manning calling the shots in Denver now, Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker will have plenty of opportunities to show off his ball catching skills.

He was a standout baseball player at the University of Minnesota during his college days as well, and with some work probably wouldn't find too much trouble fitting in on a major league team either.

Matt Moore

He hasn't been able to get off to the start he had hoped for in the NFL, and maybe he's even wondering what could've been had he chosen baseball as a profession, as he was a 22nd-round selection of the Los Angeles Angels before ultimately deciding on football.

Golden Tate

He's spending his time on the gridiron right now, but during his college days Golden Tate was a standout on Notre Dame's football and baseball teams, enough to the point where he was a selection in the MLB draft on multiple occasions.

Brooks Bollinger

Brooks Bollinger never became a star in the NFL, though he could've had the opportunity to thrive in major league baseball, as he was twice drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Chris Drury

Little League World Series star Chris Drury has shown many talents on the ice as a star in the NHL, and if he could ever catch up to major league pitching, his slapshots could probably turn into longballs.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer may be past his prime, but he's still one of the best tennis players to ever set foot on the court, and with one of the fiercest serves the game has ever seen, he's thrown enough of his own heat to propel him to many grand slam championships.

Cam Newton

Cam Newton took the NFL by storm last season with his pure athleticism and ability to make game-changing plays.

He's got a cannon of an arm and appears to do it with effortless precision, something most pitchers wish they had in their arsenal.

Mugsy Bouges

Mugsy Bogues certainly didn't have size on his side as he took the court in the NBA, but when he steps to the plate in a major league game he certainly would, as his strike zone would be about as small of a target as any pitcher could face.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar first showcased his wresting ability as an NCAA champion at the University of Minnesota, something he parlayed into a career in the WWE and UFC.

If he ever took his place in the batter's box, any pitcher would be wise to stay away from hitting him.

John Daly

John Daly is certainly one of the most eccentric figures to play on the PGA tour, and while he's struggled to compete as of late, he could probably parlay his violent swing into a longball if someone would serve him up a meatball.

Steve MacIntyre

Steve McIntyre is one of the great enforcers in the NHL, and much like Brock Lesnar, any major league pitcher would be wise to keep the chin music to a minimum when he steps up to the plate.

Kendrick Farris

He'll be representing the United States in this summer's Olympic games, and with a squat like that, Kendrick Farris could probably notch more than a few innings behind the plate.

Tom Brady

He's one of the game's best signal callers, and with precision passing skills, Tom Brady wouldn't have any trouble finding the strike zone.

Calvin Johnson

With a tremendous leaping ability combined with exceptional speed, Calvin Johnson could very well find a job as a major league outfielder, robbing home runs on a regular basis.

Lionel Messi

Much like with Christiano Ronaldo, it's hard to understand exactly how skills on the soccer field can translate to a baseball diamond, but Lionel Messi is up there with the best in the world, and if any soccer player could have the athletic ability to take it to the baseball diamond, it just might be Lionel Messi.

Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chara has one of the most brutal slapshots in the NHL, and while he probably couldn't hit a major league fastball if given the opportunity, it'd travel a long, long way if he ever connected.

Maurice Greene

Maurice Greene was once the fastest person in the world, and while he's probably lost a step or two since then, he'd probably still steal his fair share of bases.

Randy Moss

Fans in San Francisco are no doubt hoping that the old Randy Moss surfaces this upcoming season, and while he's had his share of struggles in recent seasons, his athletic ability are among the all-time greats, and he's certainly a game changing figure.

Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge will always be known for his exploits on the basketball court, but we shouldn't forget that he was also an exceptional baseball player, enough to the point to where he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays before committing fully to basketball.

Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez has had himself an amazing NFL career, and with a stellar basketball career in college, you'd have to wonder if he had enough talent to thrive in more sports as well.

Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio took the NBA by storm early on this season, and while an ACL tear cut the run short for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the future is still bright for the franchise.

The Minnesota Twins, on the other hand, could use some help, and if nothing else would probably love a figure like Rubio to fill some seats.

Tim Thomas

As one of the best goalies in the NHL, Tim Thomas doesn't let much get past him when he's in net.

If he was to take to a major league infield, it's hard to believe much would get past him there either.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo has made a living calling the shots for the Boston Celtics in recent years, though he was once a standout pitcher and quite possibly could've chosen that route, making a successful career in baseball.

Charlie Ward

A one time Heisman trophy winner, Charlie Ward would ultimately choose to make a living in the NBA. But with athletic talents like that, who knows if the multi-talented sports star could have made a name for himself in baseball.

Antonio Gates

In much the same way Tony Gonzalez has had successful college careers in both basketball and football, Antonio Gates has shown such athletic prowess that you'd have to believe he could probably thrive on the baseball diamond if he really chose to do so.

Jake Locker

Jake Locker has yet to really make a name for himself in the NFL, and while he'll have plenty of chances to succeed, he also could've had the chance to make his mark with the Los Angeles Angels, as he was once a 10th round selection by the Halos.

Toby Gerhart

A multi-sport star, Toby Gerhart spent time as a standout performer on both the football and baseball teams for the Stanford Cardinal athletic program.

Bode Miller

Bode Miller was once the fastest man on skis, and with a fierce competitive drive he's been able to propel himself to multiple championships in his sport.

There isn't much in skiing that translates to the baseball diamond, but his competitive nature alone would probably be enough to take him far in whatever he chose to do.

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is one of the more electrifying figures in professional tennis today, and with an ability to return the fastest of serves with ease, he's clearly got an eye that could catch up with the fastest heat baseball has to offer.

Michael Vick

Michael Vick's athletic ability has never really been in question, and with a rocket of an arm, you'd have to believe he could throw some serious heat coming off the mound for a major league team.

He was actually once even drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

Bubba Watson

The newest Masters champion, Bubba Watson has one of the most violent swings on the PGA tour and hits the ball farther than just about any player out there.

He's got the likeability and skill that could make him a fan favorite in any clubhouse.

Daunte Culpepper

Though he decided on football, Daunte Culpepper actually had a future in baseball waiting for him, as he was drafted by the New York Yankees out of high school.

With his NFL career over, you'd have to wonder if he could've fared better had he stuck with the diamond over the gridiron.

Tim Tebow

Come on—it's Tim Tebow.

The likeable "good guy" currently sits in the big apple awaiting his newest opportunity.

While he'll certainly be in the NFL for years to come, he's proven enough people wrong during his time to lead some to believe that he'd excel in anything he chose to do.