Blog: Meche makes honorable decision in retiring

Have you heard the story of Gil Meche? He's the Kansas City Royals pitcher who decided to retire rather than take the $12.4 million he had coming on the final year of his contract.

Meche has been struggling with a shoulder injury for a couple of years now, but all he had to do was show up for Spring Training in a couple of weeks, and he'd collect more than $12 million for the 2011 season.

But he didn't do it.

The 32-year-old said, "The Royals have already paid me enough, and I don't think it's fair to take money when I know in my heart I'm not going to be healthy."

Entering the final year of a five-year, $55 million deal, Meche said, "it just wasn't the right thing to do."

Hmmm, I wonder if former Diamondbacks pitcher, Brandon Webb, ever had those thoughts. Webb wrapped up his final year with the D'backs last season, earning $8 million, without ever throwing a pitch!

But forget Webb, when it comes to Meche, I can't say enough about how much character matters and what an impact his action has had on me.

I wish there were more Gil Meches in professional sports!