ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals introduced their new City Connect jerseys Monday in full force with help from St. Louis-raised, award-winning rapper Nelly.

It’s hard to find a better ambassador of the new City Connect jerseys. After all, Nelly helped popularize the key phrase on the jersey that reads “The Lou,” throughout his decades-long musical career.

Well before his accolades and City Connect cameo, Nelly once pushed for an opportunity in Major League Baseball.

Introducing the St. Louis Cardinals’ City Connect uniforms

According to a 2002 report from Sports Illustrated, Nelly earned tryouts with the Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. This followed a baseball career that caught attention at University City High School under his formal name of Cornell Haynes Jr.

In the aforementioned report, courtesy of former SI writer Richard Dietsch, Nelly said that he played shortstop for University City and tried to model his game after Ozzie Smith. “Just try to put together a string of Gold Gloves, that would be my thing right there,” said Nelly, explaining how he would have envisioned a pro baseball career.

Nelly later explained, some point after the tryouts, that he quit baseball on his own terms in search of something faster-paced. That, of course, turned out to be his true calling to music.

In an ESPN interview with Mike Philbrick, which appears to be from the early 2000s, Nelly offered more insight on his baseball journey. He played with the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association growing up and won an MVP trophy after an All-Star game.

Nelly said he was a sub on the All-Star team. He recalled that the team was down 5-1 in the seventh inning when he entered the game. His team came back to win and he ultimately won an MVP trophy, according to the interview.

Nelly also admitted to trying out for different pro baseball camps and kept the door open for a return to baseball at the time of that interview. “You never know. Wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he reportedly said.

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Cardinals (Seasonal)

Fast-forward to 2009, Nelly had an opportunity to show his baseball skills at his hometown’s biggest stage. He participated in the MLB All-Star Week Celebrity Softball Game and did not disappoint. Nelly crushed a two-run home run and made a sliding catch in the outfield, taking home co-MVP honors from the game.

Five years later, Nelly again participated in the Celebrity Softball Game at Minnesota’s Target Field. And once again, he slugged a home run.

It seems baseball still has a big place in Nelly’s heart, even as he’s ventured into the world of hip-hop. Nelly still attends Cardinals games fairly regularly and shared a special celebration with Albert Pujols during his ride to 700 home runs just two years ago.

All things considered, Nelly’s decision to give up baseball as a profession worked out for the best. He’s won three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards over his decades-long career, producing hits such as “Country Grammar,” “Hot in Herre” and “St. Louie.”

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