Here’s a story you don’t hear every day:
On January 18, 1950, Indians pitcher Bob Feller suggested to team management that he take a pay cut because he did not feel that his 15-14 record from the previous season merited an increase. Feller was granted his request, and his salary was cut $20,000 to $45,000. The following season, however, Feller made a comeback, finishing with 16 wins and a 3.43 ERA.
What a great story. I think A-Rod owes MLB.
Agreed. He has been grossly overpaid for far too long.
Two things. Is the image a painting? What a painting if it is and secondly, I remember Feller appearing at many baseball card shows when I was a child. I think he really hit hard times and depended on signings to make extra money. That was probably the case for many ballplayers who really didn’t make much money; holding down winter jobs and what not.
Fittingly, the image seems to be off of a baseball card, actually: http://www.vintagecardtraders.org/virtual/53bowman_color/53bowman_color.html
The era of free agency really has changed the face of the game. Some of these players today make more in a season than I will ever accumulate over the course of my lifetime. I get a little nostalgic, sometimes, imagining the days when players would work day jobs in the morning, then play ball in the evening, even though I was never actually around to see those days.