What was thought to be the worst contract in baseball history was for all intents and purposes confirmed when $245 million third baseman Anthony Rendon admitted to reporters that baseball is “not a priority” for him.
Rendon had already grown on the last nerve of fans (and teammates) for his lack of commitment to baseball and obvious lack of effort in rehabbing from injuries he supposedly sustained.
Recently, he complained on the The Jack Vita Show that the MLB season was too long…
“We got to shorten the season, man. There’s too many dang games … 162 games in 185 days or whatever it is. Man. No. We gotta shorten this bad boy up. Let’s go,” Rendon said.
I can definitely confirm Carrabis here…
Played with Rendon and literally hates baseball. Yeah it’s long isn’t that what you signed up for??? Just tell the team you want to play half the season and give back half your salary!!!!! https://t.co/OFb2ZnlV1y— Jonathan Papelbon (@TheRealJPap58) January 21, 2024
"I do not wish this life upon anybody" says millionaire professional baseball player, Anthony Rendon, who has made $697,393 per day of work in the last 3 years pic.twitter.com/x2GkxV6hZp
— vinnie (@VinRBI) February 19, 2024
Now, he’s taken it a whole step further by straight-out admitting that the sport that pays him a quarter of a billion dollars isn’t too important in his life.
“It’s never been a top priority for me,” Rendon said of baseball. “This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come before this job. So if those things come before it, I’m leaving.”
Anthony Rendon on if baseball is a top priority for him:
"It’s never been a top priority for me. This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job. So if those things come before it, I’m leaving."
🎥: @BallySportWest pic.twitter.com/T7VMYyi9F1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 19, 2024
Despite (once) being one of the most promising players in the league, Rendon’s tenure with the Angels has been plagued by several injuries and a notable decline in performance.
Last season, as he grappled with various injuries, Rendon admitted to contemplating retirement.
Imagine making 38 mill a year and not loving what you do . What a pathetic excuse rendon is
— Lakers _Halo (@FosterFam44) February 19, 2024
When pressed about his current mindset towards baseball, Rendon’s response indicated a stark shift from his earlier years. “My priorities have changed since I was in my early 20’s. So, definitely my perspective on baseball has been more skewed,” he confessed.
Anthony Rendon every time he’s forced to play baseball pic.twitter.com/4PyX8Rrcz7
— Baseball Is Dead (@baseballisdead_) February 19, 2024
However, despite his apparent disillusionment with the game, Rendon acknowledged the importance of fulfilling his professional obligations. “Oh, it’s a priority for sure. Because it’s my job,” he remarked, emphasizing the financial aspect of his involvement in baseball.
However, there aren’t too many jobs that will pay you that type of money to miss 70% of your workdays. That’s basically what Rendon has done over the past few years.
Hate something as much as Anthony Rendon hates baseball https://t.co/vYSRqr50rd
— jonny rasch (@iraschional) May 26, 2019
With just 200 games played over four seasons, Rendon’s lackluster performance has left much to be desired.
His attitude is the total opposite of his teammate Mike Trout, who like Rendon is extremely well-paid, but unlike him, Trout feels a total obligation to both the sport and his team.
MIKE TROUT: I would die for the Angels. I signed that contract with my own blood and I’ll die on the field trying to win a championship for them
ANTHONY RENDON: you want me to go up to the plate 3 or 4 times a game? Like every day?!
— Robert Orr (@NotTheBobbyOrr) February 19, 2024
Is Rendon’s contract indeed the worst in MLB history?
What do you think of his comments???
Anthony Rendon got into it with a fan after the fan called him a bitch pic.twitter.com/1t40wNJOe3
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 31, 2023