We have all heard it before. It’s not about the money, it’s about respect, it’s about being appreciated, but it’s not about the money. For Los Angeles Dodgers starter Zack Greinke who signed the second-largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history, a six-year deal worth $147 million it IS about the money. Greinke’s deal, signed in December, is second only to the $161 million deal CC Sabathia signed with the New York Yankees in 2009.
“I could play for the worst team if they paid the most,” Greinke said in an interview with CBSSports.com. “If the last-place team offers $200 million and the first-place team offers $10, I’m going to go for the $200 million no matter what team it was.”
Greinke’s honesty is refreshing and he admitted that he doesn’t need that much money, but if someone is going to offer it isn’t going to say no. “The worst comment in the world has got to be when a guy who’s getting $100 million says he wants to ‘take care of my family,’” Greinke said. “Of course, nobody needs $100 million — or even half that — to keep their family going.”
Were Greinke playing in Boston or New York he might expect to get some flak for his comments, especially if he doesn’t get off to a good start. In Los Angeles not so much, not that he would care. Nevertheless Greinke will be vilified in some circles as greedy because he wants to make the most money that he possibly can. Seems we do that alot in our culture these days. That won’t happen here. Say what you mean and mean what you say. It would seem Greinke fits into that mold. Good on you Zack.
