How well one milks the system.

Edwin Jackson will deny it. But he’s a head case. A pitcher signed by the Chicago Cubs last winter to a four-year $52 million contract. Yes, $13 million a season. Just to pitch for the Cubs. Presumably, to anchor the Cubs pitching staff. He’s anchored it all right. By dragging his anchor. Jackson has won only one game. And he’s lost eight. He has an earned run average of over 6. Which means he gives up an average of 6 runs every nine innings. He’s been bad, bad, bad. That’s what lots of money can do. Makes Jackson uptight. Because he knows the onus is on him. He should be producing stellar results for that kind of money. And he isn’t. I suspect it’s because of the pressure. The stress. Of course, if I were Jackson, I’d volunteer to give the Cubs back $10 million. And settle for working the rest of the  season for a mere $3 million. Which still ain’t bad. But it would relieve some of the pressure on Jackson’s shoulders and psyche. He’d probably start pitching better. It’d also improve his image. Make him a public relations success with Cubs fans. For doing the decent thing. And hey, if he starts winning again, pay him $13 million a year. Because he will have truly earned it. But that ain’t the way the world works.  People tend to take unearned money and run. Doesn’t matter the walk of life. Baseball player. Wall  Street banker.  Politician. Success is measured by how well one milks the system. –Jim Broede