Careers for Cooperstown: had major league baseball never existed...

This invites your conjectures of the lives and careers of those we know as major league baseball notables had the major leagues never existed as we know them. A few illustrative suggestions:

Babe Ruth learned carpentry at St. Mary's School. Upon leaving that institution, he became a free-lance carpenter, eventually developing his own contracting business. He also entered Baltimore politics, making it as far as City Council, but never getting the nod for the mayoralty.

Tom Glavine wound up skating for the Boston Bruins and the San Jose Sharks in a sixteen year career in the National Hockey League.

Ty Cobb invested heavily in Coca-Cola and General Motors as a businessman in Augusta, GA. When the Ku Klux Klan was revived in 1915, Cobb joined immediately. He rose rapidly, becoming Grand Dragon of Georgia in 1921. His tenure rivaled, and in some ways surpassed that of D. C. Stephenson in Indiana. Though he ran once for governor and once for the U. S. Senate, he failed on both occasions, due in no small part to the uncompromising opposition of the Atlanta Constitution.
 
Larry Walker: After getting cut from two junior teams at age 16 (Walker was a Goalie), he tried out again at age 17, and made it. In 1985, Walker was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft.

By the early 90's, he eventually became a backup for Kirk McLean, but did play two games in the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs, winning one and losing one.

In 2001, he eventually retired after a long career as a backup.
 

Driftless

Donor
Dave Winfield - drafted in the 5th round of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks (OTL) & the 17th round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings (even though he hadn't played football in college - also OTL)

Winfield had a distinguished 8 year career as a Forward for the Hawks. After retiring Winfield has devoted himself to heading up philanthropic work for former players & childrens groups.


Ted Williams - A naturally gifted athlete, Williams kicked around in several occupations till he joined the USMC in 1942, being promoted to Second Lieutenant in 1944. He became a skilled aviator, facilitated by his drive and tremendous hand-eye coordination. He was deployed to the western Pacific, flying the F4U Corsair and shot down six Japanese aircraft by the wars end. He remained with the Marines following WW2 and also flew during the Korean War, in the same unit as John Glenn (that happened OTL....) Williams retired from the Marines in 1975 as a Brigadier General
 
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Gibson

http://blog.detroitathletic.com/2014/02/02/kirk-gibson-gave-game-loved-play-baseball-tigers/

Kirk Gibson: After a career as an All-American WR at Michigan State came to an end, Gibson was drafted by the Browns in the first round (20th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft.

Over the next 12 years, Gibson became the best WR in the AFC. He went to eight Pro Bowls, made four first-team All-Pros, and was a gritty team leader for the Browns.

He helped lead Cleveland to the Super Bowl in 1980 (win over the Eagles) and 1987 (loss to Washington).

In 1999, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
 
Jack Robinson is signed by the L.A. Rams, becoming the second black player in modern pro football history, after Kenny Washington is signed so the Rams can continue to use the Coliseum. Robinson goes on to be the first black player named NFL MVP.
 
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