The Seattle Mariners’ signing Tuesday of prized free agent Robinson Cano’s younger cousin to a minor league contract would not be especially noteworthy — after shelling out $240 million for the former Yankees second baseman, what’s a five-figure favor? — except for one awesome little detail: the cousin’s name is Burt Reynolds.
Exactly. Like. The iconic 1970s movie star.
Without much more to say about the transaction, baseball-wise — Reynolds is a 25-year-old non-prospect, has a .245 average as a pro, and has spent the past three seasons playing for teams without major league affiliations — we got to thinking: How do Actor Burt Reynolds and Cousin Burt Reynolds stack up?
Here’s the tale of the tape:
Position
Actor Burt: Running back (at Florida State)/Quarterback (in “The Longest Yard”)
Cousin Burt: Outfield/Third base
Got his big break…
Actor Burt: Starring in “Deliverance”
Cousin Burt: Through nepotism
Nickname
Actor Burt: The Bandit
Cousin Burt: The Groundout
Never played…
Actor Burt: James Bond (turned it down) or Han Solo (lost out to Harrison Ford)
Cousin Burt: Above Single-A
Strong ties to Tampa Bay team
Actor Burt: Part-owner of USFL’s Bandits (1983-1986, RIP)
Cousin Burt: Farmhand for MLB’s Rays (2008-2010)
Indie cred
Actor Burt: “Boogie Nights”
Cousin Burt: Newark Bears of the independent Can-Am League
Swamp alias
Actor Burt: “Gator”
Cousin Burt: Camden Rivershark (2013 season)
Messy numbers
Actor Burt: Filed for Chapter 11 in mid-90s
Cousin Burt: 411 strikeouts in 1,276 pro at-bats
Messy divorce from…
Actor Burt: Loni Anderson
Cousin Burt: The Yankees (reportedly released for Twitter malfeasance)
Mustache
Actor Burt: Glorious
Cousin Burt: None