Many of you have the dream of playing pro ball and getting to the big leagues. let me be the first to say, there is nothing like it. It is a wonderful experience. However, many of us don't care of our fincances while we play and one day (that day is now for me) the game is over, and what do you do? My quick advice is go to school and get a degree. Play college baseball. It is a wonderful experience both on and off the field. Those of you who are considering pro ball out of high school, that is fine, but have a plan. Currently I am a financial advisor in Orlando, FL, working with current, former and future players. I spoke to a former teammate the other day who just got released, he signed for 1 million dollars out of college 7 years ago. Never made it to the big leagues, never invested his money and is broke. Very sad. It happens all of the time. It shouldn't. Agents, scouts, even organization's player development systems don't do enough to educate players on REALITY. And even so, we don't listen. Well, maybe they, you, will listen to me. Because I lived it. Please feel free to contact me on this board.

Andy Barkett
info@baseballpros.net

I believe in the college experience first, but quite difficult to give up a million dollars.

Not investing that money for life after baseball was the poor choice, not giving up the college experience.

Not very well known outside of the minor league players affected is how hard things can be this time of year. Saw a list this morning of about 30 or so players released...from just two teams.
Last weekend talked with some folks who are long term houseparents in the Midwest League. They had just been to AZ to visit 4 minor leaguers who have stayed with them in the last few years. During their brief stay, 3 of the 4 learned of their release. Their description of the tears/emotions of those 3 young men was so moving.
It is amazing to me how minor leaguers sacrifice so much for the love of the game and pursuit of the "dream." The intensity and heart
of most of these players cannot be missed if you spend a day at Spring training in any minor league facility. To see how abrupt and seemingly indifferent the message of a "release" is given just doesn't seem right or fair. There probably is not a good way to deliver that message, but between now and next Monday, an awful lot of very good players will suddenly, and maybe out of nowhere, see their "dream" is in jeopardy.

Great point. That is the worst day in baseball. Minor league camp cut day. There is usually a small one early on and then the big one at the end. Lots of tears involved. It is a part of the game that no one else sees.

Infdad,

Good post, often people get caught up in how great professional baseball players have it and don’t hear the all too often, sad realities involved.

The “release” whether in the Minor Leagues or after several years in the Major leagues is a definite bad day, unless the release is requested. There are many big league players who have been released numerous times.

The sad truth about getting released is… Sooner or later, it happens to all but a select few. Some early on in their careers and others after long productive careers. It’s never fun to learn you are no longer needed, but that’s the reality of it. It’s a very tough business with lots of highs and lows from one year to the next for most players.

I remember when my older son got his release during the off season. Very tough day!
I remember one year my youngest son was released by the Big League club on the last day of spring training. Also a bad day, but he got another chance and made it back. In fact, he’s been released three times total, only once requested.

For those who love the game, which is most of them, it’s a real gut wrencher! It’s all worth it, but life does go on! No matter how much it hurts, adjustments need to be made.

Having lived in a single A city and getting to know most of the players, several of them spent their bonuses. After tax and the cost of living it evaporates very quickly. Many of these guys have never had money to budget. The low salaries in the minors leaves little money for entertainment and many of them like to go out and party etc. Many of them room in houses as groups to keep the costs down but I know several that had gone through their bonuses.

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The low salaries in the minors leaves little money for entertainment and many of them like to go out and party etc. Many of them room in houses as groups to keep the costs down but I know several that had gone through their bonuses.

It's called: Major League baseball organizations RIPPING OFF kids who have the "dream" to play MLB.

The guys in the big leagues have millions to squander while the guys in the minors, AA and lower, don't have enough money for a trip to McDonald's.

Take a million, MLB organizations, from your total MLB payroll and pay the kids so that they can eat and be fully functional without having to depend on mom and dad for money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is no doubt that to some of these guys Mc Donalds is fine dining on their salaries.

Until the minor leaguers get a players association...(never going to happen) we will continue to get low pay. But the way i look at it is like this, im in an entry level position at one of the highest paying jobs on earth. Sure there is risk involved, but the upside is big too.

Great message to get out there bub. No matter how much athletes & everyday "joes" too are educated on sound $ management - some will never get it.
The example of the player who signed for a mil. and is broke is sadly too common. He probably felt rich the day he signed - in reality he had a deal for about $100,000 per year for 7 years. Certainly very nice money for a young guy but definitely not wealthy in light of how much things cost these days and how overboard some go with cars/houses and the bling-bling.
A local player my boy grew up with signed for around $750 last summer. He's a very smart kid who was raised with great values. I had no doubt he "got it" and would be wise with his money.
I was surprised but not shocked to see him working this winter at the mall for $8 an hour. He knew his bonus was a fantastic start financially but wasn't "lifetime" money. He'd also be the type that if baseball didn't work out would have the discipline to go and get his degree.
There has to be a plan & a backup plan for everything.

AHSpitcher17 (Shane),

Very interesting and thoughtful post, "But the way i look at it is like this, im in an entry level position at one of the highest paying jobs on earth."

I hope you are doing well this spring! If you get a chance, please post somewhere in this forum and let us all know where you are and how things are going.

Julie

The upside is big, no doubt. And you should look at it like you are and play with passion everyday. But you need to budget the money you are making and start to save. Even if it is 25 bucks a month, get into the habit of saving. Trust me, there are many of us that played a long time and wish we could go back and change our spending and saving habits. I realzie that there is not much money in the minor leagues, especially before you become a free agent, but I also know that I could always find 25 extra bucks to go out once a week. If you can, pay for things with cash, don't use credit cards and start saving!

Gotta agree with BeenthereIL on this one.

Yet I talked with a player (not my son, lol) on the spring trip that has a banking job already lined up starting at $80 K and said he still wishes he could play for the $1150 a month in the minors.

bubandbran,

You have raised some interesting points here. Especially about preparing for life after baseball. When I got released, I went home to work for my dad, thinking I had it made. I was married and didn't even consider taking the time to go to college and get an education. One of the biggest mistakes of my life in my opinion. If I had it to do over again, I would suck it up and go to school and get my degree.

BTW....I played 5 years in the minor leagues from 81-85. The most I ever made was $850 a month!! I, too, went through my bonus of $26,000 (that was a big bonus back then!) without investing a cent. Alot of the money was spent on phone bills calling back home to my girlfriend!!

Meal money was $11 a day back then. Anyone know what is is now-a-days? Just curious.

I support the idea of going to college and getting a degree unless the signing bonus is too good to pass up -- a different number for everyone, I'm sure. However, what percentage of D1 players obtain their degree? I look at college schedules and wonder when the kids go to class. I suppose getting a jump on your degree certainly is better than waiting to start school after 3-4 years in the minors, but it should be understood that it's not necessarily degree (college ball) versus no degree (minors). And if the bonus is six figures, today's "advisors" should do what they can to ensure at least a small post-baseball next egg. Some players receive similar opportunities after 3 years of school.

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but it should be understood that it's not necessarily degree (college ball) versus no degree (minors).

An excellent observation...........

There are some boys that go to bed out night and never dream of becoming a policeman, doctor, lawyer, or baseball umpire.

Meal money is now a whopping $20 a day now. So after you pay the clubbie $12 a day, you've got a whole eight bucks to eat on. Subway, eat fresh and hope the hotel has a continental breakfast!

Is anything being done for minor leaguers to have increased payments?

nothing, and nothing ever will...unfortunately, that is just the way it is.

Granted, most of these kids think they can "make it" in the Big Show & make millions. MLB scouts wave a few grand in a HS kids face, & entice 'em to sign. Little do they know that the money don't last, there's extreme hard work involved, & they may not ever get a sniff of AAA, let alone the MLB. 90% of these kids don't have agents, don't know what an agent / advisor can do for them (& the family), or the families try to "run the kids business" (mistake).
I am an agent/advisor & I work closely with a financial planner (company), & our athletes are put on budgets, etc. Although these kids become adults, some aren't ready for the choice they make....it's sad, & the money won't last forever...you need a "plan B".