Five quarterbacks vying for spot on Arizona Diamondbacks
Feb 6, 2013, 5:25 PM | Updated: 5:25 pm
PHOENIX — Former NFL and Heisman Trophy-winning college quarterback Doug Flutie may be joining the Arizona Diamondbacks as a pitcher, thanks to a new show on MLB Network.
Flutie is one of five former college quarterbacks that will be competing on a reality show called “The Next Knuckler.”
“The youngest is Ryan Perrilloux, who played at LSU and Jacksonville State,” said David Gavant, the Executive in Charge of Production for Major League Baseball Productions.
The other quarterbacks involved are John David Booty from the University of Southern California, his older brother Josh from Louisiana State University and David Greene from the University of Georgia.
Gavant said the four-episode series will feature the five QBs getting training from former MLB All-Star pitcher Tim Wakefield.
“We’re going to see if Tim can teach these guys how to throw a great knuckleball,” he said.
The winner goes to spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“They will get an opportunity to show what Tim Wakefield has shown them, and get an opportunity to pitch in a real spring training game,” Gavant said.
Wakefield will be getting some help with his instruction. 2012 NL Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey of the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, former All-Star knuckleball pitcher Charlie Hough and 15-year-old Chelsea Baker, a knuckleball phenom who threw two perfect games for her little league team in 2010 will also be on the show.
“The Next Knuckler” debuts Feb. 13 night at 7 p.m. on the MLB Network.
