I have to disagree with you here. During an Angel game Rex Hudler (commentator) and guest Dick Vitale had a similar argument about which sport had the better athletes and they busted out some programs from baseball, basketball, and some other sports to look at the players athletic history. The baseball players they looked up actually played more sports growing up than most of the guys from the other sports. The majority of the basketball players played only basketball, football only football, but quite a few baseball players played at least 2 sports growing up. (usually baseball and football) It was a quick argument but they made a point in that little time for the athleticism of baseball players and ole Dick Vitale was getting pissed.
Here's a few examples.
Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies. He started ahead of Peyton Manning at Tennessee. For three games, anyway, when Manning was a freshman and Helton was a junior. Then Helton suffered a season-ending knee injury, Manning replaced him, and Helton's competitive football days essentially were finished. He hasn't exactly missed football, though. Helton's .333 career average is No. 1 among active players with a minimum of 3,000 at-bats.
Josh Fields, LF, White Sox. He set the career record for touchdown passes at Oklahoma State but opted for baseball after the White Sox drafted him with the 18th pick in 2004. Good move. After a huge year in Class AAA, he'll enter spring training with a chance to win an everyday job.
Joe Mauer, C, Twins. Bobby Bowden still is holding a scholarship for Mauer, and why not? He was named the national player of the year by Parade, USA Today and Gatorade after passing for 41 touchdowns as a high school senior.
Mark DeRosa, 2B, Cubs. He started at Penn for two years and led the Quakers to a conference title as a sophomore. Penn won his first 12 starts. Impressive, even if it was the Ivy League.
Adam Dunn, LF, Reds. He was one of the nation's top recruits as a high school senior in Porter, Texas, but was beaten out by Major Applewhite when they were freshmen at Texas. His football days ended when the Longhorns asked him to move to tight end.
Jeff Francoeur, RF, Braves. No hitter is more aggressive than Francoeur, who turned down a football scholarship to Clemson.
Grady Sizemore, CF, Indians. He turned down a chance to play college football at Washington. And ask anyone who has seen him go from first to third: He never gives less than 110 percent.
Darin Erstad, CF, White Sox. Punter for Nebraska.
Carl Crawford, LF, Devil Rays. Had a scholorship to play QB at Nebraska.
John Lackey, P, Angels. Played football, baseball and basketball at Abilene High School, winning all-district first team honors.