No economist will say it, but I guess I will: the United States is in a recession.  There.  I said it.  I have now done what every host on every major news network show wanted their economic guest analyst to say.  The U.S. is in an economic recession.

I would now like to take the time to thank the GMs and owners of all the MLB teams for stepping up to the plate to make sure none of their players suffered…because…for the first time in baseball history, the average salary for ballplayers is now above the $3 million dollar mark!  While many of us are cringing as we throw our money away for gas, groceries and shelter; it’s nice to know the average baseball player is sitting in the catbird seat.*

But as we all know, there are those "not so average" players who aren’t raking in a $3 million salary.  Alex Rodriguez is baseball’s top breadwinner this season with $28 million.  His salary is more than the ENTIRE Florida Marlins opening day roster.  The Fish’s total salary tally rang in at just over $21 million.  Poor Marlins, a World Series title for their franchise and they still can’t afford a competitive salary for their players.  Case in point; Johan Santana gets paid $12 million more than the entire 5 man starting rotation of the Marlins.

Did you know among the top 5 highest paid baseball players in history (average annual value) there are only 3 names…

1. 2007 Roger Clemens, $28,000,022
2. 2008 Alex Rodriguez, $27,500,000
3. 2001 Alex Rodriguez, $25,200,000
4. 2008 Johan Santana, $22,916,667
5. 2006 Roger Clemens, $22,000,022

Clemens and A-Rod just kept beating themselves!  Gee, I think I heard Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez’s name mentioned in the same sentence recently about something…I just can’t remember what for…?

*Not the “Hybrid Cat-bird” our friend Jesus H. Christ commented about on my ‘Sayings’ blog.  (I tried to find the Pharaoh he spoke of but, alas, my calls to Dr. Zahi Hawass were not returned...I know, I was shocked too!)