The Baseball Player You Didn't Notice Starred On Vikings

Viking history had long been an interesting subject for history buffs or those just plain interested in their Scandinavian genealogical background. But the History Channel's fantasy drama, aptly titled "Vikings," seemed to satiate an intense hunger for the topic. Per an old TV By The Numbers post, the show's premiere episode in 2013 gained over 8 million viewers. "Vikings" continued its success by lasting for six seasons before finally wrapping up in December 2020. 

One of the most unusual things about "Vikings" was some of the neat cameo appearances that it managed to corral. For instance, WWE Superstar Adam "Edge" Copeland had the chance to join the fifth season of "Vikings" as the character Kjetill. In addition to pulling from the world of pro-wrestling, "Vikings" also managed to get one of its guests from perhaps one of the unlikeliest sports: baseball.

The worlds of "Vikings" and pro baseball came together during the show's fourth season thanks to a cameo from MLB player Josh Donaldson. Donaldson, who was also known as the "Bringer of Rain" in his sport, appeared as the character Hoskuld in the episode "Revenge." Via Fox Sports, the journeyman third baseman — who retired in 2024 — had made it known that he was a huge fan of the series as he once even cut his hair exactly like the main character Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel).

Donaldson was also already having a banner year before his "Vikings" appearance. Via ESPN, in 2015, Donaldson was named as the American League's Most Valuable Player while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. It was the first time a member of the Blue Jays had won the award in 30 years. He led the AL in RBIs with 123 and hit 41 home runs that season. While Donaldson's days as Hoskuld were brief and his years on the baseball diamond now behind him, he can lay claim to success in both fields.