DiMaggio v. the Colonel: Take It or Leave It

[LouGehrig]

Joe Asked for $40,000. The Colonel Offered $25,000.

Yankees' owner Jacob Ruppert was adamant that Joe would receive no more than $25,000, despite batting .346 with 46 HRs and 167 RBIs.

http://major-league-baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/dimaggio_against_ruppert

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Thank goodness for free agency! I just love seeing ballplayers tell owners to "stick it".

[Iron Jaw]

Thank goodness for free agency! I just love seeing ballplayers tell owners to "stick it".

Yeah, but it can also backfire - sometimes, severely. Like Daryl Strawberry making $3,300,000 from the Dodgers while hitting a robust .140.

Anyway, I remember when Willie Montanez was playing for the Braves in 1977. Willie was talking to Ted Turner about a raise in 1978 and made the comment, "You can't win without me." Turner asked Montanez, where the team finished in the standings in 1977 and of course, Montanez said last place. Turner said, "We can do that without you."

Willie was traded to the Mets in December of that year.

[RuthMayBond]

Yeah, but it can also backfire - sometimes, severely. Like Daryl Strawberry making $3,300,000 from the Dodgers while hitting a robust .140.

Anyway, I remember when Willie Montanez was playing for the Braves in 1977. Willie was talking to Ted Turner about a raise in 1978 and made the comment, "You can't win without me." Turner asked Montanez, where the team finished in the standings in 1977 and of course, Montanez said last place. Turner said, "We can do that without you."

Willie was traded to the Mets in December of that year.

And Montanez ain't no Kiner

[stejay]

At the end of the day, players are humans, and humans deserve the best quality in their job as they possibly can have. So good on players for exercising this right of life. And hell, most baseball teams can afford it.

[Iron Jaw]

At the end of the day, players are humans, and humans deserve the best quality in their job as they possibly can have. So good on players for exercising this right of life. And hell, most baseball teams can afford it.

So long as they remember they are in the game to entertain the fans, the very reason the professional game exists. I think some players have forgotten that.

You know, as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent for the last 21-years, I know I'm a public servant. And if I don't maintain that knowledge and professional image, the service will dump me in a heartbeat. Politicians - and athletes and entertainers are supposed to be public servants too......but sometimes....in some cases, often......they forget that. But it's not always easy to just, "get rid of them" when the do forget it.:cap:

[LouGehrig]

An important point not emphasized in the article is the fact that Colonel Ruppert was ready to play the season without DiMaggio.

For many fans, winning is extremely important. For owners, making money is more important than winning.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Yeah, but it can also backfire - sometimes, severely. Like Daryl Strawberry making $3,300,000 from the Dodgers while hitting a robust .140.

Anyway, I remember when Willie Montanez was playing for the Braves in 1977. Willie was talking to Ted Turner about a raise in 1978 and made the comment, "You can't win without me." Turner asked Montanez, where the team finished in the standings in 1977 and of course, Montanez said last place. Turner said, "We can do that without you."

Willie was traded to the Mets in December of that year.

As in all sports there is always a risk of ballplayers not performing to their expected level or teams expecting a player to improve. Today that is a problem. Lots of players have great seasons in their late 20s which they parlay into big contracts. However, most players have their best seasons in their late 20s so team that give long contracts are really just paying for a player's reputation.