Phillies Prove that CEOs are Not Overpaid

This past week, the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team rewarded Ryan Howard with a new contract worth $25 million per year. That's right, $25 million a year to play baseball. Whether they wanted to or not, the Phillies proved that corporate CEOs are not overpaid. Perhaps, if judged by sports salaries, they are actually underpaid.

I recently wrote about the ridiculousness of so-called "Main Street" hysteria over CEO salaries when newly minted football players make CEOs look like low-paid hourly workers. Now, we have another example in Ryan Howard.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a Phillies fan. I love Ryan Howard, but I do not believe in my wildest dreams that he is worth $25 million. Also, to bring everyone into the world of baseball, let's understand that a year ago--just one year ago, Howard was making $10 million and asking for $14 million, which he got. Now, a year later he gets a $10 million raise. If this were a story about a CEO there would likely be public outcry and a Senate hearing. But, fans pat each other on the back and thank the Phillies for signing Howard for life.

If Ryan Howard is worth $25 million, what are people like Albert Pujols of St. Louis worth? What is Derek Jeter worth? Name any future Hall of Famer. This is ridiculous and just proves that we have lost our collective minds in this country.

To all the fans out there who applaud baseball executives paying this high salaries, I ask you to promise me that you will never, ever complain again about the high salaries of top executives who actually attempt to create real value for society.