Kyler Murray chooses NFL over baseball and the A’s
MESA, Ariz. — The slim chance of Kyler Murray reporting to the A’s spring training camp is officially over.
Murray, a two-sport star at Oklahoma, announced Tuesday via Twitter that he will focus on the NFL draft, scheduled for April 25-27. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback didn’t mention the A’s in his post.
“Moving forward, I am firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback,” Murray wrote. “Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100 percent of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships.
“I have started an extensive training program to further prepare myself for upcoming NFL workouts and interviews. I eagerly await the opportunity to prove to NFL decision makers that I am the franchise QB in this draft.”
Shortly before the announcement, A’s executive vice president Billy Beane said the club had been continuing discussions with Murray and his representatives about the athlete’s baseball future.
Beane made light of the situation when asked if he’d draft Murray again considering the circumstances.
“If I get do-overs can I invest in Apple stock 30 years ago,” Beane joked. “I don’t get do-overs.”
Reports surfaced last week that Murray would attend the NFL scout-
the game, recording just his second goal in 23 games after starting the season with 18 in 30 games.
Melker Karlsson also got in on the fun, showing his health by worming his way onto the goal sheet. Melker Karlsson, who left Saturday's win over the Edmonton Oilers with an apparent shoulder injury, scored his ninth of the season by redirecting a Brent Burns shot from the point in the first.
Burns and Couture each collected a pair of assists while Hertl and Melker Karlsson recorded multi-point games by picking up helpers to go along with their goals. Fourteen of 18 Sharks position players found their way onto the scoresheet in the game.
Bo Horvat scored the Canucks first goal with 6.4 seconds left in the first. Derrick Pouliot added a goal in garbage time in the third. Martin Jones made 25 saves on 27 shots, improving to 8-1-1 against his hometown team.
The Sharks will return to action at SAP Center on Thursday, kicking off a three-game homestand against the Washington Capitals.