Mark McGwire agrees to new contract: 2 years at $15 million per year

[dennilfloss]

Even though he will be paid a lot less than Alex Rodriguez, MM says that he likes where he is now, likes the organization and the fans and he did not feel the need to test the free-agent market. He personally phoned the Cardinals owner and negotiated the deal himself. Other players may dislike him for saying that but he mentioned that $15 million/year is indeed very good money.

Money and ego aren't everything.

Wells Fargo (Babe Ruth)

 

[Champo41]

I respect Mark McGwire very much for doing this and his worth is probably right around $15 million. He's always said he loves St. Louis (as does everyone else who takes a paycut to continue playing there) and that's good news coming from a huge Cardinal fan (I used to live in St. Louis).

Don't get me wrong though, Mark McGwire is really only good for two things...1) Hitting homeruns and 2) Bringing people into Busch Stadium. Anyone that went to a game before last year (when they were losing more games) can say that the only reason people were there was for McGwire. When he wasn't at bat, a huge flood of people went to get drinks or go to the bathroom. It was like the seventh innning stretch after every time he was up! McGwire CANNOT run, he can field okay, but 1st base isn't a real physical spot to be at.

I really wish they hadn't forced Will Clark into retirement. If you look at the numbers, the Cardinals started winning more games at the end of the season, when Clark was there. Finally, there was an authorative figure in the dugout. Someone who would get in your face if you slacked off. McGwire doesn't do that, he's too nice. For a team to win, everyone has to click together. And fortunately, the Cardinals had that last year and they still have it this year. Clark was rejuvenated, and so was the team. Had he stayed on the team, he probably would have been the leader, in terms of who is most recognizable and does the best. But on the other hand, had he stayed on, he would've been a backup first baseman or tried him at another position.

But in turn, this deal will probably land McGwire at or around the homerun record date (it's predicted that he would make it at the end of his last season). Not that St. Louis would need anymore, but more publicity would be given to them and more fans would show up. BTW, I missed the day he broke the single season homerun record by only a few days.

 

[LadyNiniane]

This is indeed a goodness - St. Louis is indeed a #1 Sports City!

Side funny - the current crop of local commercials for the Cardinals sports the tag "It's definitely a baseball town." One of the funniest spots shows a group of children standing in a tight circle looking down at something, all with very puzzled/worried looks on their faces. Silence, until a little one says, "What is it?" The camera angle widens until you see what they're looking at - a basketball. Voiceover announcer, "It's definitely..."

By coincidence, these started appearing just a day or two before the NBA announced that the Vancouver Grizzlies could move to another city - this after they slammed the door on such a move earlier, when the current owner of the St. Louis Blues wanted to buy them and move them here.

Lady Niniane

 

[yakko]

Champo41,

He is worth whatever they will pay him.

 

[Soybomb]

yakko said what I was thinking although I'm not completely sure if we both meant the same thing by it! I personally think no sports player should be paid 15 million, but thats just me, they pay him that so..... He has been good for st louis though (I'm an hour from stl)

 

[geno]

:Q

 

[IamDavid]

Unlike most athletes these days he is worth any amonth paid to him... If a player can sell out a road game in Cincinati when the Reds are already out of the playoff hunt then I think the Reds should have to help pay his salary..

 

[jahawkin]

Wow, I like his attitude. Quite refreshing in today's sports scene.
Some quotes from espn article:
"If somebody's going to complain about making $15 million, there's something wrong with him," McGwire said. "The sad thing that we're coming down to today is it's all about money. It's never about what the game's all about. We all realize that we're going to make just boatloads of money if you do the job and you're out there every year and you put up the numbers. But I just love the game and I love where I'm at. That's what it comes down to."

It said he negotiated the contract himself without his agent.

 

[Soccer55]

<<he can field okay>>

I think he plays better in the field than most people think, I mean, he does have a .993 career fielding percentage.

McGwire is not only a great player, but a great person as well. He brings people to games, produces for the team, yet he never whines about being underpaid like most of the superstars in MLB. The thing I find most amazing about this contract is that St. Louis offered to pay him $30 million for 2 years, he didn't ask for that much. He knows that he could get more if he were to hold out or test the free agent market, but he's a better person of that. Another thing that a lot of people don't know is that he donates a decent amount of his salary to a foundation for helping abused children. IMHO, professional sports need more players with McGwire's outlook instead of players that whine about their salary and getting hurt.

-Tom

 

[Champo41]

Anyone else notice that St. Louis is a real classy sports town? Kurt Warner took a paycut in return for more years. Jim Edmonds made his decision to stay in St. Louis after only a month. The fans are by far the most knowledgeable of any baseball team and the team thrives on their support. St. Louis is just a great city and an even better city to see a ballgame.

 

[classy]

Well I like Mark a lot, but I am not going to go overboard with praise. After all he did get $15,000,000! Its not like he took a pay cut. And to be honest he is a great power hitter, but he got about what he's worth. He still can't play a full season cause he's very injury prone. He got about what he deserved and maybe a touch more.

 

[piku]

Remember, Babe Ruth sucked at everything but hitting home runs also...

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<Remember, Babe Ruth sucked at everything but hitting home runs also>>

Actually, the Babe was also a fine pitcher.

I really respect MM because of what I heard him say a few yrs. ago. Something to the effect of &quot;I don't believe in holding out when you already have a contract. When I sign a contract, I honor it.&quot;

That was a clear jab at all these candy-ass wussies that sign a good sized contract, then, if they have a good year or someone else gets more money, they start holding out until they get more. BS!!! If you sign it, honor it. By signing a long term contract, you are trading future big $$$ for long term stability and still pretty nice $$$. If you think you'll be worth much more in 2 years, then DON'T SIGN A 5 YEAR CONTRACT YOU IDIOT!!
I think they should be stuck with what they signed. They can renegotiate for more money when the contract is up.

 

[John]

I saw him in an interview the other day and was amazed to hear him say he doesn't need an agent, he represents himself.