Big League Stew - MLB

Never thought we'd see a day when a pro ballplayer might take to selling apples or asking a fan to spare a dime, but thanks to the ongoing fraud schemes those farfetched scenes could become a reality this spring.

On Monday, Phillies reliever Scott Eyre became the latest MLB player to admit he's in a bit of a financial bind, telling MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that his assets are currently frozen due to the ongoing investigation into the Stanford Financial fraud case.

Just how bad is it? Well, because of the court-ordered freeze, Eyre says he's "broke right now" and that he has "$13 in my wallet." This after the lefty signed a one-year deal worth $2 million in the offseason.  

From MLB.com: 

"I can't pay my bills right now," Eyre said. "My wife just wrote all these checks to pay bills, and they're all going to bounce. If it takes a week or two to get my money back, I'm going to have to ask my teammates for some money. Seriously, I'm going to have to ask them that. I can't get any money out."

Eyre has another account not affiliated with Stanford, but he said that account doesn't have enough to handle living expenses — including mortgage, bills, etc. — on a long-term basis.

"We'll get our money back eventually," Eyre said. "They caught ours so early that they think we'll only lose the interest. Supposedly, the money is insured. But it's all a scheme, so who knows if that's real insurance or not?

Though some accounts may start to be unfrozen, the situation is the talk of clubhouses across Arizona and Florida. Both Johnny Damon and Xavier Nady of the Yankees have already said they've been affected and Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey says "99 percent" of his cash is stuck. Meanwhile, other sport stars like soccer's Michael Owen and golf's Vijay Singh have been mentioned as victims of Stanford's farflung Ponzi scheme. 

As for Eyre, the 36-year-old family man says he's thinking about 2009 being his last year in the game, although more financial uncertainty could change that.

While I know we're talking about someone who's already made more money that many of us could ever dream of, it's hard not to have sympathy for what these guys are going through and hope for a quick and easy solution for them. Simply put, you wouldn't wish this situation on the most hated player from your most hated rival. Godspeed, gentlemen. 

UPDATE: OK, so I couldn't resist making just a little light of the situation. Click here to read a spam email from a Major Leaguer in financial trouble. 

UPDATE #2: Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies have agreed to advance Eyre a portion of his $2 million salary:  "We understand the circumstances," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said before Wednesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. "Typically, our policy is not to advance dollars. That's just not what we do, but this certainly is a different type of circumstance that several players are having to deal with."

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1338 Comments

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  1. Waaazzzzupppp
    1200. Posted by Waaazzzzupppp Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    What idiot doesnt have the common sense to split millions of dollars up. Anyone in their right mind would have multiple accounts in multiple banks, investments etc. If I had millions it would be in CDs because I wouldnt be a greedy prick who wants even more like these prima donnas who probably dont even know whats in their checking accounts because they rely on their agent/wife/investor guy to do all their bill paying and money management. As long as people around them say yes to their toys they dont care. Mike Tyson is a perfect example. How do you go bankrupt with fifty million dollars. Dont be involved in its management and buy buy buy thats how. I dont feel sorry for any of the overpaid jerks. I say let the Gods of the weak and lame admirerers called pro atheletes make the money that they should instead of the ridiculous salaries that they do make. If the rest of you butt licking want a beeees would qiute living out your fantasies in these pro atheletes and stop paying hundreds of dollars to see games and stop buying their crap they wouldnt be so rich to begin with. Man this country is screwed up in every facet of life. Especially when it comes to pro atheletes, movie stars, and music personalities. The only thing worse is the idiots who buy rap music sung by illiterate high school drop outs, gang members, and criminals whos lyrical commpositions are all about pimps and hos, how long they can do it, and how rich they are. Just like good old puff daddy who is reported to be extra small and extra lame in bed by naomi campell. Talkity talk talk, yet in real life, rich yes, but lame lame lame. Grow up and wise up dumb ass America. Geeezzzz.
  2. KALEL
    1201. Posted by KALEL Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    go get a job ha ha
  3. Waaazzzzupppp
    1202. Posted by Waaazzzzupppp Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Amen heritage!!!!
  4. ronald t
    1203. Posted by ronald t Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    Why is it that these gazzillionaires (small select group)who were making incredible returns and cashing big dividend checks for years now get crushed. Answer: They were cheating. Some may have been rich and ignorant but most knew in their gut that the programs were juiced up compared to the market at large but played along because it worked for them. They recieved statements that did not disclose specifics and said thank you very much. They threw in and recieved ill-gotten gains and now the check has come due. Don't get me wrong we all know how money makes life easier but if you throw in with thieves at some point your gonna get screwed. I wish I could throw and spot a 98 MPH fastball but I can't so don't feel sorry for these schmucks.
  5. fgb
    1204. Posted by fgb Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:34 pm EDT

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    even the rich are stupid..
  6. Mark Hamil is Cool
    1205. Posted by Mark Hamil is Cool Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    Word of advice to the guys who have less than $20 in their wallets - spend less time reading sports blogs and more time earning your keep.
  7. Majied.
    1206. Posted by Majied. Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    shows you. anyone can get hit. These greedy scheming no good poeple out here. You see they not only need jail time. They need to be beaten. Physically beaten on a daily basis ... Certain crimes when proven should also carry mandatory physical beatings.
  8. Bronco
    1207. Posted by Bronco Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:13 pm EDT

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    You gotz to be kidding !!!! what idiot would dump all of his millions in one bucket.... he needs to sit in an office 40 hrs plus per week in cubicle for next 10 yrs -- living in a area where his salary is not cutting it. dumb a$$!
  9. SportPatriot
    1208. Posted by SportPatriot Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    The market turns ballplayers into millionaires. Who is the market? All you fans have no one to blame but yourselves. I don’t spend one dime on sports entertainment anymore outside of watching it on cable (just espn and the regular channels, not yes or any of that extra stuff, and certainly not those inflated ticket prices!). Given the current economy, this is your last opportunity to do something smart: If you stop financing these greedy players and owners, you will drive the prices Down, hopefully to sane, normal levels.
  10. sqeekyclean38
    1209. Posted by sqeekyclean38 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    Hey Scott. Someone didnt tell you. ."Nobody keeps better care of your money than yourself" if many would have heeded this advice you would be broke and Uncle Bernie wouldnt have Made-off with all that cash.
  11. Joe V
    1210. Posted by Joe V Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    maybe hes broke becuase hes sucks so much.
  12. amberley
    1211. Posted by amberley Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:09 pm EDT

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    I'd wish it on Michael Vick. I hate the fact that he will serve so little time and still be a rich when he gets out. What goes around doesn't always come around. Some rotten people get to live well and die in their sleep old and happy..
  13. SportPatriot
    1212. Posted by SportPatriot Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    The market turns ballplayers into millionaires. Who is the market? All you fans have no one to blame but yourselves. I don’t spend one dime on sports entertainment anymore outside of watching it on cable (just espn and the regular channels, not yes or any of that extra stuff, and certainly not those inflated ticket prices!). Given the current economy, this is your last opportunity to do something smart: If you stop financing these greedy players and owners, you will drive the prices Down, hopefully to sane, normal levels.
  14. nonameyet
    1213. Posted by nonameyet Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    most uneducated resposnes I've read in a sports blog.. Inbreeders
  15. Kathy
    1214. Posted by Kathy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:48 pm EDT

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    Never put all your eggs in one basket .... tsk tsk thats to bad :)
  16. Richard F
    1215. Posted by Richard F Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:02 pm EDT

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    good God give me 50.00 and i will be happy
  17. Snake
    1216. Posted by Snake Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    Welcome to life!!!!
  18. Aubrey
    1217. Posted by Aubrey Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    everyone is complaining about how they have $13 too, and blah blah blah, you also don't have several thousand dollars in mortgage payments every month. You also will probablly have a deposit made in another 2 weeks or less wont you? I don't agree with these people making as much money as they do, however this is the lifestyle they are used to. They didn't lose their jobs and they still arent getting paid! everything they have is tied up. People shouldn't be mad that they didn't have the talent to become a pro baller... or the intelligence to scam them :)
  19. victoria b
    1218. Posted by victoria b Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    This is what you get when you do not live in the real world!!! They are not broke at all.,they just do not have all the money they use to have. Ask the real people what they can do with a $ 250 or less paycheck per week? Or those whosse do not even have a job!!! That is really broke. !!!
  20. TC
    1219. Posted by TC Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:25 pm EDT

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    I think this whole thing is incredibly shameful. I am a professional financial advisor and I believe that MLB, NFL, NBA and the NHL are at fault here as well in that they and the agents push these players to use "approved" advisors through their respective unions. The advisors can only become approved if they "pay" the fee to become an approved advisor. I for one, would love to help some of these professionals with their money situations. As an accountant as well as a financial advisor, my first priority is the clients, not mine...and a Phillie at that...my home town. Best of luck Scott and let me know if you need my help...
  21. Stephanie B
    1220. Posted by Stephanie B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    ahahaha..he has 13 dollars...not 13 million!
  22. Slipninja
    1221. Posted by Slipninja Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    Oh boo-hoo. What kind of idiot millionaire puts all their money in one place? It just goes to show how these obnoxiously overpaid people (athletes, actors, pop-stars) have no understanding of what WORKING for money actually entails. We need society to revert back to 10,000 years ago, when people with no common sense got eaten by ferocious animals.
  23. Slipninja
    1222. Posted by Slipninja Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

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    Oh boo-hoo. What kind of idiot millionaire puts all their money in one place? It just goes to show how these obnoxiously overpaid people (athletes, actors, pop-stars) have no understanding of what WORKING for money actually entails. We need society to revert back to 10,000 years ago, when people with no common sense got eaten by ferocious animals.
  24. xxeaglesfanxx
    1223. Posted by xxeaglesfanxx Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    yeah i dont feel bad for them, at least they still have a roof over their heads and a job unlike so many other americans who have been losing their houses and jobs. they are still making more in one week than most of us will make all year so how can you feel bad for them?
  25. nascar3js
    1224. Posted by nascar3js Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    1261

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