By admin, posted 29 06 2010
Courtesy: Toronto Blue Jays
Originally published on Saturday, June 19, 2010
Prior to Friday’s contest against the Giants, a few members of the Buffalo Bills traded in their football helmets for batting gloves, taking part in the Blue Jays’ pregame batting practice. The players were in town promoting their two upcoming games at Rogers Centre — a preseason game against the Colts on Aug. 19 and a regular-season tilt against the Bears on Nov. 7.
The elite company included free safety Jairus Byrd, wide receiver Lee Evans and defensive tackle Kyle Williams. The players each donned a personalized Blue Jays jersey and were the beneficiaries of some hitting tips from both manager Cito Gaston and hitting coach Dwayne Murphy.
The advice appeared to pay off, as all three players looked like naturals in the batter’s box. The 6-foot-1, 306-pound Williams looked particularly comfortable, launching five home runs into the left-field seats to take home the day’s bragging rights.
“I didn’t swing and miss and I hit a couple, so I’m happy with that,” Williams said. “I didn’t embarrass myself anyways.”
Evans, who also hit three long balls, said after taking batting practice at roughly 70 mph he now has a greater appreciation of just how difficult it is to be a professional ballplayer.
“It’s certainly a trade — a craft to do,” Evans said. “They make it look so easy, you feel like you can come out here just because you’re an athlete and hit one out, but there is a lot more to it.”
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