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Web Exclusives: From the Cheap Seats a PAW web exclusive column by Matt Golden '94 (email: golden2@erols.com) October 11, 2000 Betrayed? Absolutely not! Baseball/basketball star Chris Young '02 closed the books on his Princeton athletic career on August 30 by signing a contract with Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates. After a summer of negotiations, Young agreed to a deal that will yield a reported $1.65 million signing bonus, pay for the remainder of his Princeton education, and allow him to complete his junior year before reporting to the Pirates spring training complex in late May. I understand the mixed feelings Young's decision evokes from alumni and fans. We all enjoyed watching Young play and had particularly lofty goals for the coming year. Young's absence will leave both his former teams with gaping holes, and we fans must now temper our expectations. What I don't understand is the vile and selfish reaction of several to a young man's good fortune. After Young signed with the Pirates, the TigerNet sports discussion group was littered with comments from fans and alumni. While many extended their best wishes to Young and some lamented the loss of a talented athlete, several called Young's decision a "betrayal." One said that Young failed to "do the right thing." Another said that by coming to Princeton, Young had promised to share his athletic abilities with the university community for four years and was now reneging on that promise. Young's decision was even equated to "giving us ALL a big 'screw you'." But the most despicable thing I saw was a comment that read, "Do I wish him well? I probably will to his face, but no, not right now. Right now, I hope he watches the Tiger basketball team practice and is overwhelmed with regret...Failing that, I hope he finishes his first baseball season 0-9, with an ERA of 11.87." I am shocked that anyone would make such a cowardly and hateful statement. Chris Young is a talented, determined, and considerate person. Whether he signed for $1.65 million or for a new glove and an airline ticket to spring training is irrelevant. The money doesn't make his decision right, and giving up the remainder of his eligibility doesn't make it a betrayal. He has been honest and forthright with his coaches, teammates, and the Pittsburgh Pirates from the very beginning. Young may have been an NBA draft pick in the future, but that is not what he wants. He wants to pitch in the big leagues. The Pirates will give him that opportunity and allow him to complete his education. Finding a better baseball opportunity would have been next to impossible. I applaud Chris Young for having the courage to make a difficult decision - the decision that was in his heart. By Matt Golden '94 |
