Drake Hogestyn stars as John Black in the NBC daytime drama "Days of our Lives."

Shelley Long originally wanted Drake to play her husband on the sitcom "Kelly Kelly" (1998). He was all set to star on both that and "Days of Our Lives" (1965), but his schedule on Days conflicted with the filming of the pilot of Kelly Kelly and thus was replaced by Robert Hays.

Pitched in the minor leagues before getting into acting.

Graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida on a baseball scholarship and majored in pre-dentistry.

Drafted by the New York Yankees and he played third base for their farm team until he was injured in 1978.

Has a son and three daughters together with wife Victoria.

He is the stepfather of actor Ben Hogestyn.