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Wave's Moore ponders two play-for-pay avenues
[ Originally posted 07.19.03 ]
From staff and
wire reports
By the time
Tulane hosts East Carolina in the New Orleans Superdome on November 22,
Mewelde Moore will probably have a clearer idea of which professional path —
football or baseball — he will focus on in life after college.
As Moore returns
to Tulane for his senior year, he is expected to continue rewriting the
Green Wave's record book. But, for now, football is playing second
fiddle to minor league baseball.
Moore, who has
set 23 school records and was named all-conference in three seasons as a
running back for Tulane, is in his third year of playing minor league
baseball with the Idaho Falls Padres, a San Diego Padres farm club. As
of July 13, he had played in four games, going 1-for-11 (.091 batting
average).
"I've been
thinking about having to make this decision since my freshman year in
college," Moore said of choosing between playing football or chasing the
baseball dream. "When the time comes, I'll make that decision. I'll know
when it's right."
To many, the
decision already has been made. Besides the school records he has set, which
includes rushing for 3,449 yards in 35 games, he will be considered one of
the top running backs in college football this upcoming season. Another
season close to the past two and he certainly will be a high-round selection
in next year's NFL draft.
"When you look
across the country, there isn't a back that comes close to him when it comes
to running and catching the football," Wave football coach Chris Scelfo
said. "He is what the pros are looking for."
While Moore's
football accomplishments keep growing, he has none to speak of in baseball.
With the Idaho Falls Padres last summer, he started 16 games in the outfield
and hit .197 in seven RBIs in 76 at-bats.
"I'd love the
opportunity to play professional football. When it comes down to it,
everybody knows that after college you've got to get a job. I know I'll have
to work," Moore said. "A lot of people feel football's one of those things
that comes natural to me, but baseball comes natural to me, too. Football is
something that always seems to be there."
Even Tye Waller,
director of player development for the San Diego Padres, suspects Moore's days
in baseball are numbered.
"I haven't seen
him play (football) in person, but the times I've seen him on TV, I think
his football skills are much more advanced," Waller said. "I believe his
future is much brighter in football, unless we could get him for a full
season."
Moore, who
reportedly received a $200,000-$250,000 signing bonus from the Padres the
day before beginning class his freshman year, said the standard minor league
contract is for seven years. However, Moore said his obligations to the
Padres' organization end this summer.
"You look at all
the things. And, for me, I feel I owe it to the San Diego Padres to give it
my all," Moore said. "We'll see how things pan out. You never know what may
happen as far as baseball or football."
Copyright 2003
The Associated Press. Bonesville.net contributed to this report. All rights
reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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