Ungrateful *uck.
Posted on 07/21/2013 3:50:21 PM PDT by rickmichaels
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips defended comments he made to Cincinnati Magazine that his $72 million contract was a "slap in the face."
Phillips told USA Today on Saturday that he has nothing for which to apologize.
"I have nothing to get off my chest," he said. "What did I say wrong? Please tell me, what did I say wrong? I want to know what I said wrong. Please tell me. I want everyone to tell me exactly what did I say that was so wrong?"
Phillips signed a six-year, $72 million deal last year. He told Cincinnati Magazine in its August issue that it was unfair that he only got $72 million while teammate Joey Votto got $225 million over 10 years.
"I just feel like they didn't have to sign Joey to that contract," Phillips said in the magazine article. "He still had two more years on his. And for (the front office) to go out there and sign him before they sign me, and they knew I was going to be a free agent? I understand Joey's a good player. He's one of the best players in this game. But I feel like I am too. I told them that this is where I wanted to be. I begged them. I told everybody I want to finish my career here. And then they give someone a contract who didn't ask for nothing?"
Phillips said Reds owner Bob Castellini and general manager Walt Jocketty lied to him about how much money was available to pay him.
"To this day, I'm still hurt," he said. "Well, I don't wanna say hurt. I'll say scarred. I'm still scarred. It just sucks that it happened. For (Castellini) to sign somebody for $200 million, there must be a new vegetable or fruit coming out that we don't know about. For him to do something like that and tell me they didn't have any more money, that's a lie. But what can I do? I just feel like it was a slap in my face.
"But how can someone slap you in the face with all that money? It's a nice slap in the face."
Votto said he was not offended by Phillips' comments.
"Brandon is always totally honest," Votto said. "He's been my teammate for six or seven years now, and I love playing with him. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him.
"What he said has nothing to do with me, but what he had to say makes me like him even more. He's honest. Most players stick to using catchphrases -- like I'm doing now -- but he will tell you how he feels at that moment."
Phillips is an All-Star player but Votto is a former MVP. Phillips is hitting .269 with a .322 on-base percentage, 12 home runs and 78 RBI. Votto is batting .319 this year with a National League-best .437 on base percentage, 15 home runs and 44 RBI.
I wish someone would slap ME in the face!
78 RBIs. Damn. Reds got a good deal.
While I do not begrudge anyone for making as much as they can, He won't make any money off me. Ticket prices are too high. I could see the Oakland As and SF Giants anytime, I have not seen a game since 1989. I have, however, seen the San Jose Sharks play.
George Steinbrenner ruined Major League Baseball in my opinion. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he started this whole bit by ‘buying’ a team every year.
Can’t imagine too many people will be getting out the violin. I know I’m not.
I guess he wants his fans to forget he ever had a career.
I don’t know how to rate that level of ingratitude. Over the life of the contract, assuming he put the money away, he could earn enough interest to live on about ten times as well as an average American, and it’s still not enough.
If you watch MLB on TV you are paying the player.
“I wish someone would slap ME in the face!”
You don’t want that. especially when your college GF found out you slept with her sister while drunk, not good...
Ah, the college days...I remember one night I had twenty women banging at my door. I finally had to get up and let them out.
I used to watch sports on TV a lot. I have not watched a full baseball game on TV for probably more than 20 years. I have tried recently, but after about 2 innings, I could not take it anymore. Almost the same with football. I do, however watch hockey. My Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again.
Nauseating.
I blame Curt Flood.
I haven’t spent a penny on pro sports in years and don’t plan to. Oh, except for the higher taxes I must now pay since Minneapolis decided the Gophers, Twins, Vikings and Saints all needed new playhouses. Screw every damn one of them overpriced morons.
We used to take the family to see the Giants at most once a year. It would be a $400 day with three kids, food, and parking. Not worth it for a game that puts me to sleep most days.
If male sports fans would wise up they would refuse to buy tickets until all major league sports pay to build their own playgrounds instead of holding communities hostage and then with the excess money pay these “professionals” multi million contracts.
If the owner pays for the stadium and can still afford to pay these professionals 10s of millions or 100s of millions then fine, go for it. Otherwise don’t force us to build your playgrounds then throw stupid contracts and these clowns.
Poor little baby boy, he only got $72 million.
You are so right! Say Hey!
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