What does the highest paid player in baseball do when he’s forced to take a pay cut? Start looking for a new position.
With Alex Rodriquez’s “retirement” hanging in the balance, he should look to the second careers of his predecessors as a goal. From burger flippers to gamers to talk show hosts to Dancing With the Stars contestants, many former sports stars prove they are more than testosterone beasts with missing teeth and questionable IQs. Actually, some proved to have no other real talent at all.
While many legends cite age, bad knees, torn shoulders, or back problems for calling it a day, others claim arrests, lying, doping, and convictions for ending the show. These reports were totally fabricated, of course. Whatever the reason for hanging up the jersey, there have been some hits and misses in pursuit of next career moves for former players.
Since A-Rod will have approximately the rest of his life to hone some new skills, he has some time. Here are a few jobs worth consideration that other players took to make ends meet:
Football Player as Fast Food Worker
In March, nine-year NFL veteran Anthony Adams announced his retirement and promptly filled the void by applying to the fast food chain White Castle. He found the line change from gridiron to grill a challenge. Watch his first day on the job.
Anthony Adams takes an order at White Castle.
Basketball Player as Talk Show Host
With Leno’s impending departure and Fallon the runner-up, the after midnight slot may be the place to mix up a show about nothing new: Ex-players, movie stars and politicians dish on being misunderstood. Dr. Phil plays the role of the affable sidekick. He’s easy on the eyes (A-Rod, not Dr. Phil); still the pretty boy should study the “success” of The Magic Hour starring Magic Johnson to keep viewers from wanting to boo from their beds.
Baseball “Spoiler” as Truck Driver
He hit the baseball that went through the legs of Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner in Game 6 of the World Series, but Mookie Wilson left baseball and became William Wilson, a happy truck driver. A jobs forum from a farm trucker says he makes $90 a load round trip hauling shit and says it’s ok for what it is. Enough said.
Basketball Player as Cop, Etc.
Shaquille O’Neal has had a string of other jobs besides pro basketball player: actor, rapper, video game hero and also a police officer in South Beach, Florida. Seriously, if he issued you a ticket, you’d pay it and he’d probably take you to lunch. Although Shaq’s pay is a paltry $1 per year, there are perks: Year-round bikinis. Bet A-Rod could wrap his stripe-less uniform around some of that.
Boxer as Infomercial Pitchman Extraordinaire
George Foreman doesn’t even make the grill, but the former boxer’s name is on every one and he’s raked in millions for himself and his five sons also named George. If A-Rod hooks up with a great kitchen appliance, thinking a high-powered juicer, he could drive sales out of the park.
No need for the Yankees player to lament. Tweak that resume and open up the Help Wanted section. And don’t forget to craft a cover letter to play up all those… transferrable skills.
