Shooter Charley Walters singles out a baseball player instead of Carl Pohlad for his bitterness

Award-winning Minneapolis baseball writers such as Shooter Charley Walters apparently stay in the club by excluding as many facts as possible. Build hate and envy for one ballplayer on another team instead of yourself for being weak enough to tolerate Carl Pohlad's disgusting treatment of your own team. I'm noting this for historical reference. The article by Walters covers 3 areas of comment in the field of baseball--media criticism, social criticism, and "saves" scholarship. I didn't write it--he did.

• "(Joe) Nathan, who recorded saves for the Twins in their first two games this season, said he and his family enjoy Minnesota and want to remain here.

But the clock is ticking. It's clear that if a deal isn't reached by this time next year, Nathan, who is among baseball's premier closers, probably will test the free-agent market.

Nathan, 32, is pitching this season for $5.2 million, relatively meager pay by market and performance standards. The Twins have a $6 million option on him for 2008. On the open market, assuming he performs at his current pace, Nathan could earn $10 million a season.

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is being paid more than double what Nathan is this season."

• From article about Joe Nathan's contract status. "Nathan Hopes to Close New Deal," by Shooter Charley Walters, 4/5/07, St. Paul Pioneer Press.*

Why does the writer cite only 1 pitcher to compare salary with Nathan? Do they have the same record, the same long list of regular and post season stats (not just the "total saves" stat--using that stat, Nathan so far this year has 2, Rivera has none, has had no opportunities, though has 3 SO's, 0 whip). What about salaries and contracts of BJ Ryan, Billy Wagner, etc.?

• BJ Ryan has the largest contract ever given a reliever, $47 million over 5 years.
• Billy Wagner is being paid $10.5 million this year, but the author failed to mention this.

Also from the article: "Pitcher Joe Nathan said the Twins and his agents have had positive discussions about a contract extension and that he wouldn't mind a deal through 2011..."

• Why not mention Rivera has no contract beyond this year, his team publicly stating it has no interest in talking until after the season? Nathan has an option for 2008 and is apparently in discussions with his team about the future.

* I tried several times to create a link to this article, but was unable to. I did save it as a file if anyone is interested. Perhaps it's a Pioneer Press/Media News Group policy.

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