Well, Boo Radley turned out OK, but what about Jim Thome? Reading this article about some Indian fans booing Thome made me think of some of the more acrimonious departures in recent years, in particular Jason Giambi, a player with a similar age and skills set. While I don’t begrudge those players for taking the money, I simply loathe their disingenuousness, as I’ve said before on this board. Just say it was about the money, already.
I am somewhat divided on this. Indian fans, perhaps, are more justified for booing Thome than A’s fans were in Giambi’s case. After all, Cleveland made a very competitive offer, and Thome had declared his intent to stay at the Jake the rest of his career. As BP says, it’s hard to walk away from $25 million, but when you’re already talking about $75 million, well, how much does one need?
Although Oakland also made a generous offer, Giambi never claimed to want to finish his career there. For my tastes, however, I can think of worse fates then playing on a team that could, quite possibly, win two or three titles in the next five years, while the Yankees reach the abyss and take the plunge, possibly as soon as 2004. Is an extra year of "security" and $2 million per that important? In addition, the Bay Area is a fantastic place to live. I moved away for financial reasons, but, as one of the few people who could actually afford to buy a home there, Giambi would have no such worries.
But that is old news. My question: when Carlos Delgado leaves as a free agent, after, say, the Jays offer him a three-year, $36 million extension, will you boo Delgado or tip your hat (or beret) to him during his first trip back to SkyDome?
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030309022521999