It Just Doesn't Go As Far As It Used To

I remember growing up in the 50's and 60's, watching the Milwaukee Braves, one of the greatest teams of all times. Aaron, Matthews, Adcock, Spahn, Burdette, etc. I would go to the Veteran's Home in Woods, Wisconsin, and sit in the bleachers they had that gave a great view of home plate and right field.

As I got older, I began to go in the regular way, taking part in the "knothole" gang, where kids could get into the game for 50 cents.

The players didn't make a whole lot of money back then. Probably most of them had off-season jobs as real estate salesmen, car salesmen, etc. They played the game because they loved it. As they look back at what they accomplished: home run records, rbi records, pitching records, etc., they must wonder at the amount of money being paid today to players who would have probably sat on the bench back then.

Which brings me to compensation.

Recently, AIG (remember them? I think we own part of them now) announced that their new CEO will be paid a yearly salary worth $7 million and could earn more in performance-based incentives. A former insurance salesman, Robert Benmosche rose to be CEO of Metropolitan Life, a position he held for 8 years. Under him, the company successfully went from a mutual company to a publicly traded firm. With that experience, he's getting paid a lot of money to lead AIG into the future.

Then along comes BJ Raji, the Green Bay Packers first round draft choice, who's given a 5 year, $28.5 million dollar contract, with close to $18 million guaranteed. And he hasn't taken a snap in the NFL yet.

Hello. There's supposed to be a recession goin on. People are losing jobs, homes and families as they try to cope in this economy. But football wants to be sure that a 337 lb, 6 ft 1 in, football player gets $18 million dollars guaranteed for not having played a game.

Then add Brett Favre, America's biggest sports story, to the mix. $10 million dollars for a 1 year contract. He'll definitely bring in the crowds for the Vikings who stand to make a lot of money this year. But with his ability to change his mind, how will he adjust if the Vikings tell him, "Sorry, but we can only pay you $30,000 this year. We changed our mind."

Actually, the biggest loser is Deanna Favre. When Brett whispers in her ear, "I love you", are his fingers crossed?

Unfortunately, I'm from that old school that says that your word is your bond. Favre is, by far, one of the greatest football players of all time, but he's not much of a role model. I thought you had to be much younger to be a spoiled millennial kid.