WATCH: Wayne Gretzky in #99 Spencer Strider jersey attends Atlanta Braves game with Jon Cooper

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified May 31, 2024 02:45 GMT

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky was spotted at an MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals at Truise Park on Thursday.

He was donning Braves' pitcher Spencer Strider's #99 jersey, and head coach Jon Cooper, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, was by his side in the stands.

Watch the video here:

Wayne Gretzky is a huge baseball enthusiast, and his son Trevor was also into the sport. In 2011, the Chicago Cubs selected high school first baseman Trevor Gretzky in the seventh round of the MLB draft from Oaks Christian High School in California.

Trevor boosted his draft stock with an impressive nine-RBI performance in mid-May during his high school games. It must have been a proud moment for "The Great One.".

Wayne Gretzky grew up as a Detroit Tigers fan

Gretzky once had a strong desire to join the Detroit Tigers after developing a deep admiration for the club. However, his father, Walter, consistently insisted that he pursue a career in hockey.

"Wayne Gretzky on @dpshow on baseball: "I would have loved to have been the SS for the Detroit Tigers. I grew up such a big Tiger fan."

Not only that, Gretzky was once on the brink of potentially entering MLB with just a signature needed. However, if his father hadn't intervened at the crucial moment, the NHL world might have faced a significant loss in witnessing his heroics on the ice.

In "The Steam Room" podcast in 2021, Wayne Gretzky shared:

“In those days Canada wasn’t a part of the drafts. Paul Beeston was a president of a baseball club at that time. He came to my house he offered me a $150,000 signing bond, I was 16 years old. I was about to sign, and my dad grabbed the pen and said, ‘You coming back to tenth grade,’ and that ended my baseball career.”

Gretzky dabbled in various sports during his childhood like lacrosse, long-distance running, marathons and more. Despite his fondness for baseball over the others, he didn't pursue a professional career in the sport.

Instead, he carved out a legendary 20-season career in the NHL, clinching four Stanley Cups and solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in the sport. Gretzky set numerous records while playing for the likes of the Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues in his illustrious career.