Ichiro signing a $90 million 5-yr contract extension with the Mariners on Friday prompted Florida Marlins president to say the following:
"It'll take the sport down, that contract. [It's] the end of the world as we know it. It's a joke. It's inexcusable. It's complete mismanagement. It can't be true."
Wow, that's a bit extreme. So what is the response to this from the ones involved with the contract?
Tony Attanasio, Ichiro's agent:
"Apparently Mr. Samson has never heard of a guy named (Tom) Hicks or the Texas Rangers or something that happened there a few years ago," Attanasio said of the A-Rod contract. "I don't know what he's talking about, but obviously he doesn't know too much about baseball.
"Ichiro's a special player on both sides of the ball. (The contract) doesn't distort anything. Give me the name of a team that would not want Ichiro."
Ok, Attanasio. The Florida Marlins. But he's right, the A-Rod contract was and still is much more ridiculous (2001-2010: $252 million). So is Roger Clemens' current contract with the Yankees, which nets him about $1 million per game he pitches - not to mention he doesn't even have to travel with the team when he's not scheduled to pitch.
Bill Bavasi, Mariners' General Manager:
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is, '(Expletive) Dave Samson,' then don't say anything at all," Bavasi said Thursday. "So I'm not going to say anything at all. Is my mother the greatest or what?"
Classic. Good to see Bavasi standing up for himself. In the meantime, Ichiro won the MVP at the All-Star game and the Mariners are having their best season in 3 years (hottest team in baseball since their 6-game losing streak last month). Keep up the good work, M's, and way to finally keep a star in Seattle who's worth it.
