Dodger pitcher Josh Beckett announced his retirement this week at the age of 34. This after pitching a no-hitter back in May and recording a sparkling 2.88 ERA in 2014. However, Mr. Beckett has been slowed by injuries the past two years and apparently decided that he was tired of the rehab routine and calling it a career was in his best interests. He earned north of $15 million dollars in 2014 and was eligible for free agency in 2015 and probably could have made a few more million if he had decided not to call it quits.
But, heck, how much pain can a body take--and why go through it again just to add a few million more to a career earnings total approaching $117 million? It was time and Josh Becket knew it.
As a Yankee fan, I wish our roster of aging, over-paid former stars would take a hint from Josh Becket and let the team and its fans off the hook by just saying good-bye. There's A-Rod, of course. 39 years old, a year away from the game and with nothing left in the tank. Except he is due more than $60 million over the next three seasons. Make Yankee fans love you again by hanging 'em up and just walking away.
Mark Teixeira is the same age as Josh Becket and his decline has been fast and steep since 2010, and he can't seem to stay in the line-up. Injuries to wrists, to quads, to hamstrings, to ankles, to shoulders--Mark is a slugger and sluggers do not age well. Mark makes $22.5 million a year and is signed through 2016--but he's done now. You've made more than $167 million in your career--why deal with a broken down body for two more years for a few million more? Do yourself and your fans a favor and and hobble slowly into the sunset.
C.C. Sabathia--your knees are shot, you've lost your fastball and now you're basically good for batting practice. Sure, you make $23 million a year and will make even more over the next two years--but know it's your time. You're done--how much money can you spend in this life?
Beltran (37 years old, $16 million), Kuroda (39/$16 million but a free agent)--you get the idea. The Yankees have become a collection of museum pieces that flourished at an earlier time.
Baseball is unkind past the age of 32 and it's understandable how money can be such a lure. But it's hard on the fans when clueless general managers dole out contracts based on performance that aging players will never again be able to approach. Are they just fooling themselves, or is it really just about the money?
But, heck, how much pain can a body take--and why go through it again just to add a few million more to a career earnings total approaching $117 million? It was time and Josh Becket knew it.
As a Yankee fan, I wish our roster of aging, over-paid former stars would take a hint from Josh Becket and let the team and its fans off the hook by just saying good-bye. There's A-Rod, of course. 39 years old, a year away from the game and with nothing left in the tank. Except he is due more than $60 million over the next three seasons. Make Yankee fans love you again by hanging 'em up and just walking away.
Mark Teixeira is the same age as Josh Becket and his decline has been fast and steep since 2010, and he can't seem to stay in the line-up. Injuries to wrists, to quads, to hamstrings, to ankles, to shoulders--Mark is a slugger and sluggers do not age well. Mark makes $22.5 million a year and is signed through 2016--but he's done now. You've made more than $167 million in your career--why deal with a broken down body for two more years for a few million more? Do yourself and your fans a favor and and hobble slowly into the sunset.
C.C. Sabathia--your knees are shot, you've lost your fastball and now you're basically good for batting practice. Sure, you make $23 million a year and will make even more over the next two years--but know it's your time. You're done--how much money can you spend in this life?
Beltran (37 years old, $16 million), Kuroda (39/$16 million but a free agent)--you get the idea. The Yankees have become a collection of museum pieces that flourished at an earlier time.
Baseball is unkind past the age of 32 and it's understandable how money can be such a lure. But it's hard on the fans when clueless general managers dole out contracts based on performance that aging players will never again be able to approach. Are they just fooling themselves, or is it really just about the money?
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