OT: Gil Meche Retiring, Gives up $12M

J-Roc · Post #1 » by **J-Roc** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 2:47 pm

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_le ... mlb-309149

Yet that's exactly what Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche(notes) is doing as he's decided to retire from baseball with one year and $12 million remaining on the five-year, $55 million contract that shocked the baseball world after the 2006 season.

"As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I've ever faced, but it's not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract."

Skin Blues · Post #2 » by **Skin Blues** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:05 pm

Wow. The Royals must have some dirt on this guy. I'd love the chance to get paid $12M to rehab my shoulder. Plus, ya know, he might want his shoulder fixed for the long-run to pitch to his son's little league team and stuff.

Chevy Chase · Post #3 » by **Chevy Chase** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:07 pm

They should throw this guy a parade. I'm sure the Labour association is having fits.

Post #4 » by **LittleOzzy** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:10 pm

Skin Blues wrote:Wow. The Royals must have some dirt on this guy. I'd love the chance to get paid $12M to rehab my shoulder. Plus, ya know, he might want his shoulder fixed for the long-run to pitch to his son's little league team and stuff.

I'm guessing the Royals will be perfectly happy to pay for the surgery considering how much they are saving.

SharoneWright · Post #5 » by **SharoneWright** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:54 pm

Vernon!

PJTucker · Post #6 » by **PJTucker** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:15 pm

If I'm not mistaken, JP was very interested in signing this guy and just got outbid by KC in 06. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to miss out on free agents.

J-Roc · Post #7 » by **J-Roc** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:43 pm

Somewhere BJ Ryan is feeling proud of Gil.

Post #8 » by **darth_federer** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:30 pm

We were interested in Jeff Suppan and Gil Meche and both retired I think.

wlujaysfan55 · Post #9 » by **wlujaysfan55** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:45 pm

I think he was afraid they'd force him to pitch at least 128 pitches per game in every game just for fun.

satyr9 · Post #10 » by **satyr9** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:55 am

Well I absolutely love him for doing this. You're done, you know it, and you've made millions playing when you were able. This is what every guy whose career is obviously over with a year or two to go on a deal should do, but I don't think we'll see the trend swing in this direction any time soon.

Like BJ, not like Wells. Doesn't mean I'm pissed at BJ or anything, 'cause no one does this and it some respects it sounds crazy to just give the money up, but I'd like to think this is exactly what I'd do if I were in Gil's situation (and yes it's easy enough to say from here).

DonYon · Post #11 » by **DonYon** » Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:26 pm

I can't help but think if those times when someone would ask me 'what would you do to get a million dollars?' and I would always respond with outrageous. This guy gives up 12 million dollars just because he thinks he's not capable of earning it? He's either really really noble or really really stupid.