The fact that he's likely to be the tallest MLB player ever is interesting in its own way, to baseball fans but it's something buried in the story that was far more interesting to me:
Money is something else most people consider essential but Van Mil doesn’t. When he breaks into the majors – Angels coaches say a midseason call-up is a realistic goal – he’ll be paid the major league minimum of $410,000.
And here's the real story:
“It’s a Dutch way of thinking,” he said. “I don’t need $400,000 a year; $200,000 would be good. And I don’t mind paying more in taxes. I can still live a very good life.”
When was the last time you heard anything remotely similar to that from an American pro sports player?
I don't listen to sports interviews much, if ever, but I have to say, I don't think there's very many times, if, again, ever, any player ever said anything remotely similar or close to this young man's statement.
No greed? No money-grubbing? No "going for all you can get"?
That is one smart young man.
He must come from one good family.
And likely a great culture.
Maybe that's why they can have universal health care that works and doctors that don't have to make hundreds of thousands of dollars, along with pharmaceuticals and hospitals and other corporations bilking patients--sick people and their families--of billions of dollars.
Maybe that's why they can have universal health care that works and doctors that don't have to make hundreds of thousands of dollars, along with pharmaceuticals and hospitals and other corporations bilking patients--sick people and their families--of billions of dollars.
Link to original post: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=sh-vanmilangelstallestpitcher022311
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Yikes! Sounds like their brains have turned to mush.
Defining happiness and success by how much money can be sad but it is quite a fine line between achievement and drive versus apathy and the feeling of entitlement.
I know when we compete it brings out the best in us.
It is pretty easy to say when you've got $400,000 coming your way that you don't need it. Will I read next how he gave the $200,000 he didn't need away? Doubtful but where do I apply?
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