The best batters in America can earn huge amount of money, near US$20 million a season, in Major League Baseball, so headlines suggesting David Warner is thinking of trying his hand at America’s pastime should not be dismissed out of hand.
Tony Connelly, the manager of David Warner, has already told the Daily Telegraph they are considering all possible options.
The recent performance of Warner in the Ashes Test series against England has boosted the possibilities of this blasting opener to join one of the many baseball clubs in the United States.
Currently, Warner is enjoying an incredible batting average of around 90 in the Test series.
Connelly has already spoken with Warner about the matter and both of them seem to be interested about this innovative co-ordination of two sports.
Though the movement of a ball on a grassy pitch widely varies with the full toss, swinging deliveries of baseball, the Australian opener is ready to give it a try.
Warner, who loves to take on challenges, has personally shown his interest in baseball and is quite ready for a trial.
However, both Connelly and Warner want to focus all their attention to the ongoing Test series against England, which is more important than any other thing at present as reported.
Once it is over, the talk about setting up a trial in the United States will start.
Many teams are ready to offer a batting cage to Warner just in order to look at how things go.
With the blazing form which David Warner is demonstrating in the ongoing series, it is easy for him to become a baseball player, with an estimated cost of around US$5 million per year. However, this price is nothing to what he can earn as an established baseball player.
A recent report stated the officials of MLB approached Warner to play as a member of the All-Star team when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers play a baseball match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in March, 2014.
However, according to the pre-assigned tour of Australian cricket team, Warner will be in South Africa and then in Bangladesh when the game of baseball will be in Sydney.
However, the entire decision is up to the explosive batsman himself. As said earlier, according to the reports, he has already expressed his interest in baseball, and once the hectic cricket season comes to an end, several baseball playing teams in the United States are ready to start the talk with him.
Until then, all we can do is to wait for a perfect combination of cricket and baseball to click in the hands of David Warner.
Clavers
Guest
One little fact that neither the article nor any of the comments have picked up -- both Ian and Greg Chappell played competitive baseball as their winter sport for years and it obviously didn't do their cricket any harm at all. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss this story. It doesn't matter that Warner is a little guy -- he obviously has the muscle power to belt a baseball out of the park. (I've seen him hit sixes one-handed.) And his outfielding skills would be sensational. A game where every ball is a full toss and you only have to hit one ball in four? My money is on Davo. Best of luck Mate!
Robbo
Guest
What's the date? April 1......No....just crap then, right!
Carrollj
Guest
This is DWs pr agent and a compliant News Ltd press. The only reason MLB would sign Warner is some sort of project to sell Baseball in Australia. Australia is a small market, but they would only be paying DW small money in the grand scheme anyway.
Straight Ball
Guest
Yes, Wilson, it is a tough gig to make it in baseball. Hitters are everywhere, it is just that the pitchers are excellent. I thought Gilchrest had a try-out at one point and could not make it. Unless Warner has been playing baseball since he was a kid, he just won't have the eye for it. You have to get baseball's eye early. BTW, that car of yours is just like what my old man (RIP) used to drive and almost killed us all in by overtaking as a draw-bridge went up (yes, duh).
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I can't find any exact figures at the moment but Warner would be earning up to $4 million a year from cricket now and it would not surprise me he started earning Michael-Clarke-type money of $6 million a year soon such is his standing as one of the top 5 drawcards in international cricket. Even if he had an astounding adaption to baseball he wouldn't earn that kind of cash for years. While he was trying to make the grade he'd be losing millions and millions. In short...utter nonsense.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
Not one quote, or source named... Just a gossip article rehashing some News Limited pollywaffle. Will never happen; the amount of money he can earn through a top tier CA contract, T20 mercenary money, and sponsorship/advertising deals would be more than a lot of major league bench warmers anyway. There's no way he could come in at age 27 and hit .350 even in the minors which is what he'd need to do to stand a chance. His manager is probably fishing for a pay rise; strike while the iron is hot they say... After the SA tour we'll get a better idea of where he's at.
Boomer
Guest
Warner is a midget, MLB sluggers are giants of men facing giants of pitchers. He's got about as much chance of making it in the MLB as England have of winning the ashes. I suggest David consolidates his place in the Australian team before indulging in fantasies. Scoring a few runs away from home might be a good start. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Sideline Comm.
Guest
So true. It's just hype. Before we know it he'll get a few single figure scores and people will call for him to be dropped. Fickle are the masses.
Eliot Bingham
Roar Pro
Exactly what I was thinking. There is no quotes from David or his manager to back these outrageous claims up. I remember a few years ago they were going to get Brett Lee to try out for the Seattle Mariners?
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
I heard Willie was going to be signed up for by GWS once so anything can be said.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
I heard Willie was going to be signed up for by GWS once so anything can be said.
jamesb
Guest
"Warner, who loves to take on challenges, has personally shown his interest in baseball and is quite ready for a trial." So trying to get Australia to number 1 in test rankings is not a challenge.
Chui
Guest
"With the blazing form which David Warner is demonstrating in the ongoing series, it is easy for him to become a baseball player" Huh? How so? Good at cricket proves nothing of the sought. Maybe someone should ask Michael Jordan.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
Doesn't he already earn millions a year from cricket? Why would he risk that given there is absolutely no guarantee his earnings from baseball could get anywhere near that, let alone exceed it?
pauly
Guest
Beause warming a bench at a MLB side would earn him more money than anything cricket can provide. I would expect him only to make a move after the next ICC world cup.
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree. This is almost as big a joke as Willie Mason trying out for NFL.
Eden
Guest
No quotes, no sources??
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Stories such as this generally appear on April 1 or during the 'silly season' around Christmas.
Johnno
Guest
Sounds good, but won't happen. Warner is a working class lad, making some coin now. Why would he take a massive risk, throw away all he has earned, plus good T20 dollars in IPL. I doubt he will risk everything, and if an injury happens. Don't get greedy Warner, is my advice.
Hossey
Roar Guru
I'll believe it when I see it.