The Class of ’90: Where Are They Now?

[bevosu]

The top 25 players drafted (NFL) in 1990...where they've been and where they are. Interesting reads.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

 

[KaiserUEO]

The top 25 players drafted (NFL) in 1990...where they've been and where they are. Interesting reads.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

fascinating read.

 

[C Bomb]

The top 25 players drafted (NFL) in 1990...where they've been and where they are. Interesting reads.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

I seem to remember a long ago story in Sports Illustrated (that of course I cannot find a link to) about Cortez Kennedy making one other splashy purchase after signing his first contract with the Seahawks. He bought personalized "Rookie Club" leather jackets for all the draft picks that year. That Terry Wooden was taken in the second round that year and a recipient of one of these jackets is the only reason I even remember it.

 

[Lou_C]

Saw that yesterday. That was a fantastic read. Should be required reading for all rookies.

We hear so much about the sorry cases...guys who end up broke, broken, and worse. It's nice to see a number of guys that are not just doing well for themselves, but doing well for others. Guys who really changed their own lives, and the lives of those around them. Sometimes I feel like there are so many stories of guys being broke after the game that it becomes a foregone conclusion to some of these guys, encouraging a live fast-die hard mentality. As in, "this isn't going to last, so I need to enjoy it now."

Good to see how some guys did hold their money, and what that means to their lifestyle and options. Not too many examples of "I kept most of my money and saved it wisely so I still have it today. And I'm also on crack and living in my car and am estranged from my family." It would go a long way to show the aspirational results, not just the cautionary results.

 

[Scooch]

Excellent piece.

Also reinforces that if someone is blessed enough to be a successful multi-sport athlete, go play baseball or basketball. Much more money and far fewer injuries.

 

[kirbivore]

Excellent piece.

Also reinforces that if someone is blessed enough to be a successful multi-sport athlete, go play baseball or basketball. Much more money and far fewer injuries.

Word

 

[RF2044]

fascinating read.

Agreed. That article was a stark reminder of how even highly rated players often bust / fail to make an impact. Cool read.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Excellent piece.

Also reinforces that if someone is blessed enough to be a successful multi-sport athlete, go play baseball or basketball. Much more money and far fewer injuries.

If you can be a high end relief pitcher, man, that's got to be the life.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Agreed. That article was a stark reminder of how even highly rated players often bust / fail to make an impact. Cool read.

yep.

4 & 5 star HS recruits sometimes dont match the hype.

some 1st-3rd rounders wash out in a few years.

it goes to show just how elite and special the guys who 'make it' on both levels truely are.

whether its pure talent, desire, or an ability to not get injured...its a blessing.

 

[KaiserUEO]

If you can be a high end relief pitcher, man, that's got to be the life.

there was a great SI article at least 10 years ago, maybe more, about some obscure middle reliever who was in the right place at the right time when salarys sky-rocketed.

he had had a decent career, think his era was in the mid 3s...but was durable, a good clubhouse guy and had proven himself for a number of years and his contract was up at the right time.

people wanted him, he was highly sought after, got a monster deal for then and his position...cant remember exact #s so ill say something like 3 mill a year for 3 or 4 years. anyway, he played it out, couldve got another deal, but said... it, im rich and im going fishing.

and thats where they interviewed him, in a cabin and on his boat somewhere in the lakes of minnesota...happy and as rich as can be. it was during the season and he talked about how jim thome called him from a hotel on the road to ask what he was doing...and he was jealous that he wasnt fishing.

i probably got a lot of the details wrong, but it was a cool story about how it can really all work out if you are the right kind of person or do the right things.

 

[Bayside44]

there was a great SI article at least 10 years ago, maybe more, about some obscure middle reliever who was in the right place at the right time when salarys sky-rocketed.

he had had a decent career, think his era was in the mid 3s...but was durable, a good clubhouse guy and had proven himself for a number of years and his contract was up at the right time.

people wanted him, he was highly sought after, got a monster deal for then and his position...cant remember exact #s so ill say something like 3 mill a year for 3 or 4 years. anyway, he played it out, couldve got another deal, but said... it, im rich and im going fishing.

and thats where they interviewed him, in a cabin and on his boat somewhere in the lakes of minnesota...happy and as rich as can be. it was during the season and he talked about how jim thome called him from a hotel on the road to ask what he was doing...and he was jealous that he wasnt fishing.

i probably got a lot of the details wrong, but it was a cool story about how it can really all work out if you are the right kind of person or do the right things.

Steve Karsay made 26 million as a middle reliever. Guy is 42 now.

 

[Scooch]

there was a great SI article at least 10 years ago, maybe more, about some obscure middle reliever who was in the right place at the right time when salarys sky-rocketed.

he had had a decent career, think his era was in the mid 3s...but was durable, a good clubhouse guy and had proven himself for a number of years and his contract was up at the right time.

people wanted him, he was highly sought after, got a monster deal for then and his position...cant remember exact #s so ill say something like 3 mill a year for 3 or 4 years. anyway, he played it out, couldve got another deal, but said... it, im rich and im going fishing.

and thats where they interviewed him, in a cabin and on his boat somewhere in the lakes of minnesota...happy and as rich as can be. it was during the season and he talked about how jim thome called him from a hotel on the road to ask what he was doing...and he was jealous that he wasnt fishing.

i probably got a lot of the details wrong, but it was a cool story about how it can really all work out if you are the right kind of person or do the right things.

That's why I said what I did. Looking at that piece, the highest-earning guy was Junior Seau, and it took him 20 years to make $67 million. And, sadly, we also know what those 20 years took from him.

Even the other guys in that draft who had long careers by NFL standards made about $1-1.5 million a year. Ray Agnew: 11 years/$13 million. James Francis: 10 years/$12 million. Eric Green: 10 years/$11 million.

Just for kicks I looked up a couple of random MLB players from that era... John Valentin, a good, but not great, SS for the Sox played 11 years from '92-'02, so a similar length as those NFL guys, and made $33 million! Or Paul O'Neil, big contributor but not a HOFer, made $50 million between 1990-2001.

Unless you're a star QB playing in the NFL makes no sense if you have other options.

 

[elimunelson]

That's why I said what I did. Looking at that piece, the highest-earning guy was Junior Seau, and it took him 20 years to make $67 million. And, sadly, we also know what those 20 years took from him.

Even the other guys in that draft who had long careers by NFL standards made about $1-1.5 million a year. Ray Agnew: 11 years/$13 million. James Francis: 10 years/$12 million. Eric Green: 10 years/$11 million.

Just for kicks I looked up a couple of random MLB players from that era... John Valentin, a good, but not great, SS for the Sox played 11 years from '92-'02, so a similar length as those NFL guys, and made $33 million! Or Paul O'Neil, big contributor but not a HOFer, made $50 million between 1990-2001.

Unless you're a star QB playing in the NFL makes no sense if you have other options.

You are not factoring in the minor league aspect of MLB though and the amount of time you have to put into the craft before you get to the show and then accumulate 6 years of service time. Then you can make some bank. NFL guys flame out early but if they make it, they often make some good money right out of the gates. Baseball players tend to be more solvent b/c they make crap money when they are foolish. But the overall point is certainly valid. The sport chews people up.

 

[Scooch]

You are not factoring in the minor league aspect of MLB though and the amount of time you have to put into the craft before you get to the show and then accumulate 6 years of service time. Then you can make some bank. NFL guys flame out early but if they make it, they often make some good money right out of the gates. Baseball players tend to be more solvent b/c they make crap money when they are foolish. But the overall point is certainly valid. The sport chews people up.

I hear ya. Maybe the NBA is a better comparison then, since it has a similarly underdeveloped minor league system as the NFL.

Here's the 1990 NBA Draft: http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1990.html

Look at some of the money those guys made. A middling guy like Tyrone Hill played 14 years and made $51 million. Plus he probably can walk and think these days.

 

[kirbivore]

If you can be a high end relief pitcher, man, that's got to be the life.

Lefty relief pitcher. They can go into their 40's