So long, Erick San Pedro

The Major League clubs are coming around like a kiddy crane and picking off all the Atlantic League's best. Former second rounder Erick San Pedro is now a part of the White Sox family. He's headed to Birmingham, where the great Michael Jordan once roamed. I thought it'd be fun to come up with a few things that San Pedro and His Airness have in common.

1. The ACC connection. Jordan played at the University of North Carolina--just over 800 miles from San Pedro's alma mater. Like Jordan, San Pedro was a highly lauded draft pick when he left the University of Miami. Baseball America named him the Best Defensive Catcher in the Nationals system in 2005. Jordan, of course, was picked third overall after setting all kinds of records in college. He was pretty decent as a young pro, too.

2. Entrepreneurship. San Pedro majored in it at "The U," and Jordan seemed to reinvent it. I can't think of Hanes or Gatorade without thinking about Jordan. I've also used his cologne and ate at his restaurant. He's worth more as a spokesman than a lot of sports stars are on the field or court.

3. Intimidating domes. Both rock bald heads. I have a theory that the trademark look might have been part of the reason for Jordan's successes. I don't know much about physics or aerodynamicismnesses, but he was fast on a breakaway and did steal 30 bases in one season as a professional baseball player. San Pedro hasn't stolen a base as a pro yet, but at 6'0" and 205 lbs., he's a physical force.

Congratulations, Erick.

-Nick Steyn