Posted on 07/29/2015 8:41:04 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Vin Baker played 14 seasons in the NBA with six different teams and made $97.4 million in his career as a basketball player. Now Baker is embarking on a new career as a Starbucks manager.
Baker is working as a barista at a Starbucks in North Kingstown, Rhode Island as part of his training to become a manager, according to Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal.
Baker's road to this career was a rocky one, but he appears to have some good perspective on his struggles.
He told McNamara:
"I was an alcoholic, I lost a fortune. I had a great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they’re like 'Wow.’ For me, I’m 43 and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces. I’m a father. I’m a minister in my father’s church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate that this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life."
In 2008, he had his $3 million home in Durham, Connecticut foreclosed on for failing to pay his mortgage. Earlier that year, a restaurant Baker was a part-owner of also went out of business and in 2014 he was forced to auction of the gold medal he won at the 2000 Olympics.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Kudos to him for taking responsibility. Hope he is successful in turning it around.
Sorry, I’m all out sympathy.
He traded his gold medal for a sobriety chip.
Vin Baker played 14 seasons in the NBA with six different teams and made $97.4 million in his career as a basketball player.
...
How much after taxes?
Sorry, but he’s a moron.
He won life’ lottery of $100 million like so many other lottery winners do, although he actually earned it, and blew it.
Disagree, a moron doesn’t recognize the problem, or take corrective action. Would have been better if he recognized it earlier, but that’s life.
Have you never screwed up? Cast a stone.
I hope he gets to serve the Commish a cup of steaming hot hooYaaaa!! 97 million.. gone? impressive.
‘I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted.’
~WC Fields
I don’t think sympathy is in order. I’d say recognition of the human condition and respect for this guy humbling himself to get right for his family.
Yup, my give a damn is busted.
Why don’t you have sympathy for someone who admits he himself is responsible for all he lost and who is taking responsibility for himself and his family? He’s not in jail or on welfare and he’s not blaming Whitey.
No, he’s human just like lots of other sports athletes/celebrities who come into sudden wealth and don’t know how to handle it.
That’s why former NFL player Phillip Buchanon wrote a book about it.
This is Free Republic, bub. We all lead exemplary lives. And our children are all on the honor roll.
Proof that no matter how much money you throw at a social problem, it will NEVER be enough.
Yes NBA players are social problems....
Did you wake up today and have sour milk in your Wheaties?
Sometimes I think this site is filled with old curmudgeons.
Sheesh.
It doesn't sound as if he is asking for sympathy.
As for me, I respect his decision to "fess up" and admit his mistakes.
Regards,
He doesn't appear to be looking for it from you anyway.
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