Introduction to Deion Sanders and His Professional Baseball Career
Deion Sanders, also known as “Prime Time”, is a former professional football and baseball player. He is the only athlete to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. Sanders is a two-time Super Bowl winner and is an 8-time Pro Bowl Selection. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
In addition to his accomplishments in the NFL, Deion Sanders also had a successful career as a professional baseball player. In 1989, he was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He went on to play in the MLB from 1989 to 2001. This article will provide an overview of Deion Sanders’ professional baseball career, including how long he played in the majors and his major accomplishments.
How Long Did Deion Sanders Play Professional Baseball?
Deion Sanders played in the Major Leagues for 13 years, from 1989 to 2001. During this time, he played for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants, and the Baltimore Orioles. He was a free agent for the 2002 season, but did not play in any Major League Baseball games that year. After the 2002 season, Sanders retired from professional baseball and returned to the NFL.
Highlights of Deion Sanders’ Professional Baseball Career
During his 13-year career, Deion Sanders had some impressive accomplishments. He was named to the All-Star team in 1992, and was a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He also won a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.
New York Yankees (1989-1990)
In 1989, Deion Sanders was selected by the New York Yankees in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut on July 17, 1989. Sanders went on to play in 63 games for the Yankees, hitting .158 with 1 home run and 11 RBIs. He was released by the Yankees in March of 1990.
Atlanta Braves (1991-1994)
In May of 1991, Sanders was signed by the Atlanta Braves. He went on to have some of his most successful seasons in the MLB with the Braves. He played in 461 games over four seasons, hitting .263 with 20 home runs and 123 RBIs. Sanders was part of the Braves team that won the World Series in 1995, becoming the only athlete to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
Cincinnati Reds (1995-1997)
In 1995, Sanders was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He played in 136 games with the Reds, hitting .273 with 5 home runs and 34 RBIs. He was released by the Reds after the 1997 season.
San Francisco Giants (1997-1999)
In 1997, Sanders was signed by the San Francisco Giants. He played in 183 games over three seasons with the Giants, hitting .273 with 5 home runs and 44 RBIs. Sanders was released by the Giants after the 1999 season.
Baltimore Orioles (2000-2001)
In 2000, Sanders was signed by the Baltimore Orioles. He played in 71 games with the Orioles, hitting .277 with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs. Sanders was released by the Orioles after the 2001 season.
Achievements and Accomplishments
Throughout his 13-year career, Deion Sanders achieved some impressive accomplishments. He was named to the All-Star team in 1992, and was a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He also won a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in 1995.
In addition to his accomplishments in the MLB, Sanders also had some impressive numbers. He played in 989 games, with a .263 batting average, 39 home runs, and 229 RBIs. He also stole 186 bases during his career.
Legacy and Post-Baseball Career
Deion Sanders has left his mark on professional baseball. He was the first player to ever hit a Major League home run and score a touchdown in the same week. He was also the first player to hit a grand slam and score a touchdown in the same week.
After retiring from baseball in 2002, Sanders returned to the NFL and played for the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Conclusion
Deion Sanders had a successful career in both the NFL and the MLB. He is the only athlete to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. He played in the MLB from 1989 to 2001, playing for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants, and the Baltimore Orioles. During his 13-year career, Sanders achieved some impressive accomplishments, including being named to the All-Star team, winning two Silver Slugger Awards, and winning a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves in 1995. After retiring from baseball in 2002, Sanders returned to the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
References
- Baseball-Reference.com: Deion Sanders Stats
- Pro Football Reference: Deion Sanders Career Stats
- Sports Illustrated: Deion Sanders Inducted into Hall of Fame