09-03-2009, 09:15 PM
A big factor is simply age: next year, Pie will be 25, the age that most ballplayers either peak, or enter their statistical prime. Next year, Alf will be 34, precisely the age that many/most star players hit a brick wall. Maybe Alf hit the wall a year early, or conversely, maybe he'll rebound and kick ass next year. But Pie's future looks a bit brighter to me, even if you don't count the $100 Million difference in their pay.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance