Henson decides to leave Michigan early like his friend David Terrell

3/24/01- Drew Henson- The Greatest QB who Never Was

Today Michigan QB Drew Henson decided to skip his senior year of football and sign with the New York Yankees to play baseball.

But I don't think it was all about money.  People will say that Drew was lured by a guaranteed contract of $17 Million dollars and the financial security that comes with it.  And surely that was a consideration but I don't think it was the primary reason for his decision.

I think in his heart Drew must have made decision that he wanted to play baseball.  If you want to play baseball there's not a better team to play for than the New York Yankees.  As much as it may pain Michigan fans to admit it, the Yankees have a greater tradition of winning than even the Wolverines.  They are  consistently in contention for the World Championship and have the bankroll to insure that it stays that way.  Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, Jackson...Immortal Yankees whose uniform that Drew now shares.

A few years ago I went to a Red Sox/Yankees baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston.  By chance I ended up sitting behind home plate with a number of baseball scouts.  The guy next to me was a scout from the Padres whose job it was to scout all levels of the Yankee organization.  I asked him what he thought about Drew Henson.  His answer was that Drew Henson could be one the great players of the next 10 years if '...the fool would just concentrate on baseball and doesn't hurt himself messing around with football..."

If Drew really was concerned about money why not wait until next spring and get an NFL team to get in a bidding war with the Yankees for his services?  One reason is that if Drew were a top pick in the NFL draft he most assuredly would be going one of the worst teams in the NFL.

I'm not happy that Drew Henson is leaving.  I think he should have told the Yankees that he had already committed to play QB for Michigan this year.  But I can understand his decision.

In the end, despite the inevitable wailing of Michigan fans, Wolverine football will be just fine.  For all Drew's 'potential' he only started 8 games for the Wolverines.  His starting career was too brief for him to be considered an all time great at Michigan.  He'll probably end up being footnote between the careers of Tom Brady and John Navarre.

There's a story about baseball great Ted Williams.  He was asked how he wanted to be remembered.  He replied, "When I walk down the street I want people to say, there goes Ted Williams the greatest hitter who ever was.."  Drew wants to be remembered as a great baseball player not the greatest Wolverine QB to play for the maize and blue.  I don't begrudge him his choice.   

Good Luck Drew!  I look forward to seeing you play against the Detroit Tigers! 

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