As much as I hate the Yankees, I'm sick and tired of hearing how inappropriate it is for them to spend like they have on the Hot Stove this winter. This is America and Capitalism is working just like it's supposed to.
What some people seem to forget, is that we're not all promised a million dollar salary, a mansion and a Mercedes. (but wait, Obama will take care of that right?)
Anyway, here's Mark Teixeira's salary over his career (from www.baseballreference.com)
2003 Texas Rangers $750,000
2004 Texas Rangers $2,625,000
2005 Texas Rangers $3,625,000
2006 Texas Rangers $6,400,000
2007 Texas Rangers $9,000,000
2008 Atlanta Braves $12,500,000
Career (may be incomplete) $34,900,000
And here's Will Smith's salary for 15 of his movies:
Salary (Hancock): $20,000,000 +20% of gross
Salary (The Pursuit of Happyness): $10,000,000 +20% of gross
Salary (I, Robot): $28,000,000
Salary (Bad Boys II): $20,000,000 +20% of gross
Salary (Men in Black II): $20,000,000 +10% of gross
Salary (Ali): $20,000,000
Salary (The Legend of Bagger Vance): $10,000,000
Salary (Wild Wild West): $7,000,000
Salary (Enemy of the State): $14,000,000
Salary (Men in Black): $5,000,000
Salary (Independence Day): $5,000,000
Salary (Bad Boys): $2,000,000
Salary (Six Degrees of Separation): $500,000
Salary (Made in America): $100,000
Salary (Where the Day Takes You): $50,000
I don't hear too much complaining about how much money actors make. I don't hear too many people complaining about Obama's $3500/night estate in Hawaii.
The Yankees, for one, should be commended (did I just say that?) for not stealing taxpayers money to pay for their new stadium. The market will determine if they overspent or not.
So who's more productive? Who's more worthwhile? Will Smith or Mark Teixeira?
Look, I'm no TV analyst but I say the Yankees earn their money fair and square and have every right to spend what they want. If I'm jealous and want to earn that much money, I guess I'd better get to work on my swing.
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