Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton wants to race Bengals wide receiver John Ross

Two notably fast athletes now ply their trade in Cincinnati, and Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton wants to race Bengals wide receiver John Ross.

On Thursday, in a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton became the fourth-fastest player in MLB history to reach 200 career stolen bases (424 games). If only he got on base more (.295 career on-base percentage entering Friday), Hamilton would be higher on that list.

During this year’s NFL Combine, wide receiver John Ross set a record with a 40-yard dash time of 4.22 seconds. Despite some durability concerns, the Cincinnati Bengals took Ross with the ninth overall pick. With two fast pro athletes now calling the “Queen City” home, Hamilton has an idea to race Ross.

“It’s something I look forward to,” Hamilton said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I’m a competitor, if something happens with him, it happens. We’ll do it for a charity event. I’m willing to do it. …

“I think we could do 40 and I think it’d be a good race for the city and for me and him to get our names out there. It’s something we could look forward to looking into, our agents (could talk) and see how it goes.”

Hamilton also said he has not run a 40 since ninth grade, but claims to have done it in 4.5 seconds. That of course is just over a quarter-second slower than Ross’ record-setting combine time, albeit in a different setting that wouldn’t be totally replicated in a race with Hamilton.

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A charitable aspect to a race between Hamilton and Ross is a great idea. But there is risk involved for both guys, which may be deemed unnecessary or be outright prohibited by each guy’s contract. A sprained ankle, popped hamstring or something worse could easily happen, even if elements of the foot race are controlled as much as they can be, which would then obviously affect Hamilton and Ross’ availability to their teams.