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5 of the Richest Baseball Players in the World

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Most professional baseball players are pretty wealthy, but there are some that are richer than others. If you have a love of this sport, you will definitely be interested to know about which players are the very richest in the world. A lot of the money these players make comes from endorsement deals, but they are rich all the same.

1. Cliff Lee

Clifton Phifer Lee, known to most people as just Cliff, is estimated to be worth around $120 million. He is a starting pitcher on the Philadelphia Phillies, who makes roughly $24 million each year. This is an incredibly impressive figure, especially when you stack it up against most of the other players in this sport. Over the years, he’s had multiple endorsement deals, and he’s got a five-year contract with this current team.

2. Randy Johnson

Another very rich professional baseball player is Randy Johnson, who is worth about $115 million. His many endorsement deals through extremely popular brand name products have gotten him to the very top, financially speaking. Also known as “The Big Unit”, Johnson played for the Seattle Mariners, as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks.

3. Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder is a starting baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers and he is worth approximately $100 million. Born in Ontario, he quickly rose to the top in this sport because of his uncanny talent. His father is Cecil Fielder, a former Detroit Tigers all-star. Fielder is widely regarded as being one of the best players in modern baseball, and he definitely has the net worth to reflect it. With a batting average of 283, it’s easy to see why he was paid so much.

4. Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds net worth is estimated around $80 million. His father is MLB all-star Bobby Bonds and he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1986 to 2007. In 2013, Bonds put his Beverly Park house on the market for $25 million. When he was actively playing in the league, he earned around $15,500,000 per year. There were very few other players in the league at the time that could match Bonds in terms of sheer talent, and he was – and still is – one of the richest.

5. Chipper Jones

Chipper Jones earned about $110 million through his long career in baseball. He played for the Atlanta Braves starting in 1993, and he had a truly amazing career, to say the least. He won the coveted MVP award back in 1999 for his outstanding talent. He started out as a baseman, and he played the game for almost 20 years. He had an annual salary of $13 million, which was fairly high even back when he first started playing.

There have been many baseball players throughout history, but very few of them even come close to being as rich and talented as these men. Most baseball players earn a good salary, but they pale in comparison to the players on this list.

Why Everyone Should Get to a Non-League Football Game

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As an Englishman living in the US, it can be difficult to explain to people quite what football, or soccer as it is known here, really means to us. I have managed to get my friends to watch some games in the English Premier League, and a few of them have even picked a team. Last year then when I went back to the UK with my buddy Greg Lindae, I simply had to show him the match day experience. My team is Tottenham and we managed to get tickets to a Wednesday night game there, which we thankfully won. Whilst the Premier League games are electric however, I wanted to show my buddy the authentic side of football and so we went to a non-league game on the Saturday afternoon. If you want to see real football, here is why you should go non-league.

No Airs, No Graces

At non-league level, the players either have full time jobs and play on a weekend, or they are paid very low wages as a professional footballer. The result of this is that the players really wear their heart on their sleeve an play for absolutely every ball. The passion which is shown at this level is incredible and whilst you may not get the highest quality of football, you will see the most passion.

Fan Passion

Fans of lower league or non-league clubs, are far more involved in the club itself, and far more a part of the club, than you’ll see in the higher divisions. The game may still be about bring finances into the club, but these non-league teams respect their fans, and involve them in decisions. What this means is that you have a core fan support who are true football fans, fans that travel to support their team and fans that actively let their players know what they think about them. If you want the very best fan experience with supporters who make up the fabric of a club, go non-league.

Traditional Experience

Before all of the TV money came along and players were earning £100,00+ every single week, football was a game for the people, and Saturday afternoon provided working class families with a chance to go and see an event, and have a release. Whilst this may have changed at the higher levels, it has not changed at non-league level and you can count on a  truly authentic experience. These clubs have not sold their soul for money and so instead of prawn sandwiches and fancy beer which you’ll see on offer in the Premier League, here at non-league level you can still get a pie and a bovril from a friendly face.

Football is a beautiful game and nowhere is this more true than down in the lower divisions, where the game is still played in the spirit that it was supposed to be played in.

Why Canada is the Best Country for Winter Sports

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When it comes to winter sports, there are a lot of incredible countries all over the world that will offer you the chance to get outside and go ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, and much more. But Canada really tops the list as the best country for winter sports enthusiasts. Keep reading to learn a few reasons why.

It is Home to Whistler

The fact that Canada is home to Whistler, which is located in British Columbia and is one of the most famous and beloved of all the ski towns in the world, is enough to put the country at the top of the list of best countries for winter sports. With plenty of resorts to choose from, including Whistler Premier rentals as an example, and plenty of slopes where even your kids can learn how to ski and snowboard with ease, this is a destination that many families choose when they want to enjoy a winter getaway.

The Country Is Known for Its Winter Sports

Another reason why Canada is the best country for winter sports is simply because the country is known for its love of winter sports. There are enthusiasts all over Canada, and it should come as no surprise that Canadians excel at these activities because they get a lot of practice. Some of the most beloved winter sports include hockey, curling, snowboarding, snowmobiling, luge, dog sledding, and various types of skiing.

There Are So Many Places to Enjoy Everything Winter Has to Offer

Unlike other countries around the world, where you might be able to book a trip to a destination or two and enjoy the winter season, Canada has loads of options for travelers. A few of the top places to head to include Niagara-on-the-Lake, Churchill in Manitoba, Whitehorse in the Yukon, Fernie in British Columbia, and Winnipeg. From skiing and snowboarding, to less intense wildlife viewing tours, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, every one of these destinations has a variety of activities that you can enjoy.

There Are So Many Wide Open Spaces

Sure, Canada has its big cities, like Toronto and Montreal, where you can find loads of restaurants and lots of entertainment to keep you busy, but if you really want to get away from it all and enjoy the pleasure that comes with participating in winter sports in the great outdoors, there are also plenty of wide open and wild spaces. For the nature lover who wants to plan a trip that will put them in a totally natural environment, there are plenty of options in Canada where you will feel removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Once you start to look at all that Canada has to offer to those who love the winter and who love sports, it is easy to realize why this country is one of the very best for winter sports. So, the next time you want to book a trip that will involve having fun in the snow, definitely think of Canada.

Axe Throwing In Ottawa Makes The Perfect Office Party

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Every November feels the same way: as soon as Halloween is over, it feels like the end of the year is creeping up on you faster than last year, and you’ve got about a million things on your mind, from your own holiday plans to where you’re going to host the annual end of year party for your team. Hosting a great office party at the end of the year is an important way to recognize the great work your team does and create a better, more collegial environment at the office.

There are better ways to do office holiday parties than a formal dinner and drinks – something people inevitably complain about or make fun of every year for being so awkward. Even though these are people you see and work with every day (in fact, about 50% of all professionals spend more time with their colleagues than their friends and family), water cool conversations get stretched a little thin over a formal dinner. However, you should be careful when choosing a more active party idea, as it should be accessible to everyone in the office and still in a casual atmosphere.

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If that sounds like a lot to manage, never fear – in case you missed it, axe throwing is now in Ottawa and it has quickly become one of the most popular alternative sports in Canada with the emergence of leagues and private venues in cities across the country. The former Tommy & Lefebvre warehouse on Lancaster Road has been converted into the Ottawa branch of the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL), a popular alternative sports destination that originally brought this sport out of lumberjack competitions and into cities across Ontario. They designed a unique way to play that was easy for amateurs and started hiring instructors to teach private groups how to safely and accurately throw axes.

After an hour of instruction, you start competing against other people in your group in a round robin tournament before you move into “playoff” rounds, meaning everyone gets plenty of time to both throw axes and relax, talk, and drink a beer or two. Almost anyone can go BATL axe throwing in Ottawa, too; it’s an accessible sport that rewards technique, and it’s completely accessible to people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. The emphasis on technique over strength may be one of the reasons that their league is co-ed, and why people from all kinds of professions and backgrounds decide to blow off steam after a long day on the job by throwing axes.

You don’t have to complicate things either by booking an axe throwing venue followed by a casual place for dinner and drinks; BATL’s Ottawa location is licensed and has a partnership with Milano’s Pizzeria, meaning you can kick back, carefree, with a few beers and finger foods and enjoy the night. The end of the year is hard enough on everyone; don’t let your hair go grey trying to plan an elaborate or expensive holiday party. Axe throwing is the hit new destination in Ottawa that everyone is sure to enjoy, just make sure you book in advance.