That’s billion with a "B"
By Tom Woerner
　
I have heard a lot of things and written about a lot of things in the world of sports but I nearly took a right turn into the river when I heard discussions about the departure of St.Louis first baseman Albert Pujols. My distraction came when the word billion came up in talks about his salary with his new team the LA Angels. I never thought I would see the day.
Outrageous salaries and athletes have gone hand in hand for years, it is just the nature of the beast. The salaries of Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning and Wayne Gretzky in their respective sports have always been a little eye popping.
When you mention that an athlete will make one quarter of a billion dollars you have gone to far. That will be the total amount Pujols gets if he completes his contract.
There is no doubt Pujols is good, probably the best hitter in the league. He also plays a mean first base. He is an all around athlete that will help any team. He won’t help that much.
I am not a math major which is why I write for a living but if I could figure out how to include inflation no one is going to convince me Ted Williams was paid that much. The most he ever pocketed in one year was $125,000, and he, like Pujols, was one of the best players of his generation. He was equally as good and had something else, loyalty to his team. He stayed with the Red Sox most of his career. He is just an example that comes to mind.
Legendary Reds catcher Johnny Bench once told a reporter "I can throw out any man alive" and he may have been right. He also squatted behind the plate for his team, the Cincinnati Reds, most of his career and like Williams now has a place in Cooperstown. His top salary was in the neighborhood of $200,000 at the top of his career. Again, with inflation figured in I can’t imagine that comes close to Pujols dollars.
There will be lot of eyes watching Pujols when he takes his place at first base next year. Solid money also says he will fill the designated hitter position a few times since he will now be in the American League. It will be interesting to see if he lives up to his money. I am not sure that is possible.