Wilson visits Rangers, takes BP

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Fantasy camp met Major League Baseball camp Saturday, as for the second consecutive year,Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilsonfollowed up a Super Bowl appearance with a one-day workout with the Texas Rangers.

"It's an honor to be here," Wilson said. "Growing up as a kid, I always had a dream of playing two sports, so I'm thankful for this opportunity to play with these big leaguers and to take ground balls with them.

"The first sport I ever played as a kid was baseball, so it's been important to me my entire life."

Wilson took infield practice and turned double plays with the other second basemen much like he did a year ago. What was different this year, however, was Wilson took batting practice and even homered once.

"I was able to stay back on one and drive it to left-center field," Wilson said. "There's something special about throwing a touchdown because it's so hard to throw touchdowns but hitting a home run is a good feeling, too."

Friday night, Wilson met with numerous Rangers players and coaches for an informal gathering where they shared philosophies about being successful at a high level. Numerous players asked Wilson questions, drawing on his experience of leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances, including one title, by the age of 26.

"He's an impressive guy," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "It was the first time I ever had the chance to speak with him. This is a guy who wants to be the best in the game but he also has a unique balance about being ultra aware of what it takes to be the best.

"I believe when you can have a message from another athlete who has been to the top and knows what it takes and how important it is to be a great teammate, that message doesn't change whether it's a football locker room or baseball clubhouse."

Saturday marked the second time this spring an NFL quarterback visited Texas Rangers camp.Tony Romo moonlighted from his day job with the Dallas Cowboysearlier this month and spent a day at Surprise Stadium.

"I think it's really cool," Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo said. "Any time you have that opportunity to have somebody from another sport, it adds a little more fun to camp and relaxes you a little bit. I'm sure he (Wilson) enjoys it because I know when we get the opportunity to do something different like that we enjoy it."

Wilson was also in uniform for Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres and brought the lineup cards out to home plate.

"I'll just hang out in the dugout and watch the game, but who knows, maybe next year I'll play all nine," Wilson said jokingly.

A former shortstop and second baseman in high school and college, Wilson was originally selected by Colorado in the fourth round (140th overall) of the 2010 MLB amateur draft and played two seasons in the Rockies' minor league system.

In his last professional baseball action with Asheville in 2011, Wilson batted .228 (44-193) with three homers, five doubles, four triples, 15 RBIs and 40 runs scored in 61 contests. He was also 15-for-17 in steal attempts that year.

Wilson was selected by Texas from the Rockies in the Triple-A phase of Rule 5 draft in December 2013. He was placed on the restricted list for the 2014 season.

Wilson played football and baseball at North Carolina State before transferring to Wisconsin.