For Paul Rudd, the decision to star in Jay Roach’s new comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks,” was an easy one. “I thought the script was really funny,” he says. “That was it. It was kind of a no-brainer.” Of course Rudd, who’s built an impressive resume of smart comedies, was just as enamored of the man behind the camera. Cliff who? The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has just gotten quite a bit of company: As many as 6,600 graves at the country’s hallowed Arlington National Cemetery for fallen U.S. service members may be mislabeled, one lawmaker said on Thursday.New claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week, but stayed at a stubbornly high level that underscored the labor market recovery was having trouble gaining traction.J.A. Happ said all the right things, just as the crafty lefty always has.Julian Assange, founder of the website that published more than 91,000 secret U.S. military reports from Afghanistan, says he’s revealing injustices. President Barack Obama says he’s concerned that disclosure of sensitive information may harm military operations.1. Will the Jets regret cutting Faneca?For many job-hopping careerists, smuggling a resignation letter in their bag like a guilty secret, there are few workplace rituals so hard as saying so long.Subletting in NYC typically involves some kind of covert transaction. Try to find a budget traveler who hasn’t enjoyed the risk of Craigslist’s lease-free rentals. But thanks to a bill Gov. David Paterson signed into law last Friday, renting an apartment for less than 30 days isn’t kosher. Fortunately, there’s a saving grace for those in search of short-term living: Jersey City.Could nail mats like the Acushakti be the next Snuggies?
As soon as I begin to talk about fairness and respect in business, I can hear the giggles turn into guffaws. But is it really so ridiculous to think the bottom line could ever be at the bottom of a list of priorities? Is it always and only about the money?
Take Jason Varitek’s case for example. When the Red Sox offered him salary arbitration, they knew he’d be awarded at least $10 million for the 2009 season, and the Red Sox were undoubtedly prepared to use that number as a jumping-off point for a two- or three-year deal. It must have been part of their plan to pay Varitek between $10 million and $25 million on a single- or multiyear deal as he finishes up his career in a Red Sox uniform. Then things changed.
Foolishly, Varitek chose to become a free agent and discovered there is no team willing to give up a first-round draft pick to give a 37-year-old catcher a multiyear contract. Varitek has no options. He needs the Red Sox. So, the businessmen on Yawkey Way have him right where they want him. They can bring Varitek back for a fraction of his original price. They can humiliate him and save oodles of money. What’s better than that?
But Varitek is (or was) the team captain. They put that “C” on his chest. And he played an important role on two World Series teams. Now, they’re going to bring him back with his tail between his legs? Because they can? It seems vindictive where no vindictiveness is warranted.
And keep this in mind. The Red Sox need Varitek almost as much as he needs them. Theo Epstein says he’s comfortable with Josh Bard behind the plate for 120 games this season, but he’s not. That’s why the door remains open for Varitek. That’s why John Henry made the fairly desperate move of flying to Atlanta to personally meet with Varitek. They want and need him back.
So, why not give him the money they were originally prepared to pay him, at least for the one-year deal? Wouldn’t a two-year, $15 million deal with incentives to make it $20 million be a fair and respectful offer? At this point, Varitek would jump at it. And it’s not as if the Red Sox can’t afford it. No group of millionaires cries poor mouth while running a billion-dollar enterprise better than the Red Sox. But giving in a little bit to Varitek won’t leave them hamstrung, and it’s not like ticket prices would be coming down if they can save a few bucks on their captain.
I know it’s bad business to pay more than you have to, but the Sox can certainly afford to pay some respect.
Bob Halloran is a sports anchor and reporter. He’s also the author of “Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward,” published by The Lyons Press.
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