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Sugar Land Skeeters pitcher Tracy McGrady (better known as T-Mac, one of the best small forwards of the early 2000s) started at the Atlantic League All-Star Game yesterday. He pitched 1.1 innings and struck out the final batter that he faced. It was McGrady’s first strikeout of his brief baseball career and it will be his last.
With that single “K”, McGrady can retire in peace. At least he went out on a high note.
“That is definitely going in the trophy case,” he said from the dugout following his outing. “I told some of the guys that I am going to get a strikeout before I stop playing. I got it in the second inning. Thank you Jesus.”
In four regular season Atlantic League games, McGrady pitched 6.2 innings, allowing four hits and five runs. So, not exactly as dominant as McGrady was on the Magic or Rockets. Still, it was a brief and admirable venture for a 35 year old ex-NBA baller who simply wanted to fulfill a childhood dream of playing baseball at a competitive level.
“It has been a tremendous ride,” McGrady said. “It is my last game today. I informed the team this would be my last outing and I appreciate them giving me this opportunity to start the game and enjoy this great mid-summers classic.
“This has been an awesome year. Not having my basketball career end the way I wanted but having the opportunity to be friends with some of the guys and get to know them and compete with them, learn from them every day, it’s been an honor.”
