Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche called his boss in 2011 to announce that he was retiring a year earlier – that he would walk away from the final year of his contract worth $12 million.

Meche was an All-Star in the first year and had other good years until a back injury began haunting him in 2009 – the team had a workaround, this starter would pitch from the bullpen in relief saving wear and tear on his body.

Here was his response as reported by The Athletic:  “You signed me as a starter, and I can’t fulfill that obligation.  I’m not going to take that money as a relief pitcher” according to the Royals GM at the time Dayton Moore.  Yes, he made about $50 million in his career but still, he’s walking away from an easy $12 million more?

In a world of greed, who does this?  Meche calls for a simplified life and he has enough money.

Principle and dignity over paycheck.  Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka:  “There are some things more important than money. You can’t buy your self-respect.”

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