Money has changed the world of sports for the worse. It is sad that the days of “one-teamers” has nearly vanished. Money and selfishness have forged a new standard of sports abandonment.
Before explaining, look at some famous one-teamers: Cal Ripken Jr., Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Dan Marino, Johnny Bench, and Mario Lemeiux. These men should have a plaque in the Dedication Hall of Fame.
Now, look at some recent examples of trader-players those who voluntarily defected: Brett Favre, Lebron James, Albert Pujols, and Carmelo Anthony. These Benedict Arnolds had no reason to leave their teams except for money.
Many of these traders leave to “win a championship” or they want to “play for a contender.”
Shenanigans.
Pujols signed for a 10-year, $254 million contract, the best he could find. James left his childhood home to lose to the Mavericks. Anthony whined like a sissy until he was traded. And Favre is still a joke.
They may be great athletes, but they will be remembered as betrayers, thieves of trust.
On the other hand, Ichiro Suzuki will be underrated as a truly magnificent player, but remembered as a Seattle legend. His willingness to remain with the Mariners shows class and maturity. He will never win a championship, not by a long shot, yet he is a perennial All-Star and future Hall of Famer.
And while every player does not have the opportunity to be an Ichiro, those who have can, must. The supporting cast can be shuffled around without notice; they play a very vital role in their rearrangement. If they did not move, teams would be identical every year.
However, superstars, could be one-teamers, follow the cash like selfish jerks. Consequently, the one-teamer is almost extinct, slowly drowning in a money river.
On the count of… 2445
Albert Pujols’s new contract equates to $24.5 million every year. If paid in stacked pennies, Pujols would receive a stack 2,445 miles high.
