There is no better picture of American economic misfortune as the fortunes to be gained by Free Agency. While the rest of us suffer through an endless money drought that brings job loss, home foreclosures and instability, these team-less pro athletes sign new contracts for massive amounts of money:
C.C. Sabathia: 2009 - 7 years / $161 Million
Alex Rodriguez: 2008 - 10 years / $262 Million
Albert Haynesworth: 2009 - 7 years / $100 Million
Manny Ramirez: 2009 - 2 years / $45 Million
LeBron James: 2010 - ???????
U.S. National Debt (as of March 11, 20009) - $10,957,5478,698,039.49
Why is it that Manny Ramirez can basically joke his way through a lengthy part of his contract, then pick up his stats towards the later years in order to attract the eye of some rival club? There is no accountability for the talent that you pay for when Free Agency creates a 2-year motive for trying. I can’t wait for Major League Baseball to feel the economic crunch and maybe just like in the 1920’s and 30’s winning will mean more money for the club and that will actually mean something for the players… not just the one’s getting DICKS sporting goods contracts, but everyone on the team getting an increase for winning the big one.
What a difference an incentive makes when the guys on the team don’t already make enough money to not try for 6 out of 7 years because their cash is guaranteed. I hate that I pay to see games where I know the players are ‘going through the motions’ just to get to that contract year.
I realize that we live in a capitalist society and making the green is the only thing that motivates these days, ESPECIALLY these days. But nothing lasts forever. Just talk to David Stern, whose NBA is starting to take some financial loses. Hopefully LeBron Roosevelt’s New Deal will stimulate the slumbering NY basketball fans and save the NBA…
As for baseball, it pains me to see guys like Manny essentially “hold out” for a bigger deal… when they’re all using PED’s (I know, I know the steroids thing will be another post for sure). Eventually the slap in the face(wallet) of these massive contracts will become just that and people will refuse to waste hard earned money to watch half ass ballers cheat their way to the guap…. I'm not down for paying $75-400 of my cash to see some thug swindle the system so his 'kids can eat' (oh Latrell Spreewell). So much money has America’s great pastimes becoming irrevocably damaged… If they aren't already.
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