Top-10 Most paid Male Athletes in America 2008-2009

overpaidathletes 01,Mike Mussina

MLB: Mike Mussina

Starting Pitcher

New York Yankees

2008 salary: $11 million

2005-07 average salary: $13.7 million

Average past three seasons:39-25

4.29 earned run average (ERA)176 innings

Mussina's had a great career; his 254 lifetime wins rank 40th all-time. But his best days ended before his big Yankee contract, with declining innings totals and a winning percentage just a hair better than his team's.


overpaidathletes 02,Brad Lidge

MLB: Brad Lidge

Relief Pitcher

Philadelphia Phillies

2008 salary: $6.4 million

2005-07 average salary: $3.3 million

Average last three seasons:3-4 3.7 ERA

71 innings

After putting up stellar numbers for the Astros from 2003 to 2005, Lidge regressed during the next two seasons. His ERA climbed to 5.28 in 2006, the year his salary jumped to $3.975 million from $500,000. The good news: This year's trade to Philadelphia seems to have revitalized him so far--he hasn't allowed an earned run in his first 15 innings.


overpaidathletes 03,Johnny DamonMLB: Johnny Damon

Outfielder

New York Yankees

2008 salary: $13 million

2005-07 average salary: $13 million

Average last three seasons:.291

batting average (BA).359 on-base percentage (OBP)

15 home runs (HR)

73 runs batted in (RBI)

The Red Sox aren't two-time World Series champs (2004 and 2007) for nothing. Credit Boston's brain trust for resisting the urge to overpay for the popular-but-fading star after the 2005 season, when the Yankees came waving free agent cash.


overpaidathletes 04,MLB: Juan Pierre

MLB: Juan Pierre

Outfielder

Los Angeles Dodgers

2008 salary: $8 million

2005-07 average salary: $5.7 million

Average last three seasons:.287 ,BA.329 ,

OBP2 HR42 RBI

A lead-off hitter with great speed, Pierre has averaged 61 stolen bases over the past three seasons. But that asset is undermined by an abysmal on-base percentage (he's walked just 33 times a year since 2005), let alone his nonexistent power. No wonder Pierre has bounced around with four different teams during a nine-year career.


overpaidathletes 05,MLB: Ichiro SuzukiMLB: Ichiro Suzuki

Outfielder

Seattle Mariners

2008 salary: $17.1 million

2005-07 average salary: $12.5 million

Average last three seasons:.326

BA.372, OBP10 HR,61 RBI

Yes, Ichiro is a hit machine, and people marvel at the way he's racked up over 200 hits each year since entering majors from Japan in 2001. But he doesn't walk much (fewer than 50 in every season but one), making his on-base percentage less than stellar for a lead-off hitter with limited power. He also badly trails other veteran outfielders in extra-base hits. A nice player, but eight-figure singles-hitters only buy so many wins. Only Ichiro's strong defense keeps him from the No. 1 spot on the overpaid list.

overpaidathletes 06,NFL: Nate Clements

NFL: Nate Clements

Cornerback

San Francisco 49ers

2007 contract salary cap value: $11.1 million

Percentage of team cap: 11.5%

Average cap value 2005-07: $7.3 million

Average last three years: 87 tackles, three interceptions

The 49ers are paying for the two Pro Bowl seasons Clements had with the Bills. His $10.5 million bonus for 2007 took up a ton of salary cap room for a 5-11 team that needs help in a lot of places.


overpaidathletes 07,NFL: Patrick Surtain

NFL: Patrick Surtain

Cornerback

Kansas City Chiefs

2007 Contract salary cap value: $9.4 million

Percentage of team cap: 11.1%

Average cap value 2005-07: $5 million

Average last three seasons: 62 tackles, two interceptions

A Pro Bowl pick twice with the Dolphins, Surtain has averaged 62 tackles and just over two interceptions since going to Kansas City. Still a solid defensive back for sure, but not at 11% of the salary cap.

overpaidathletes 08,NFL: DeWayne Robertson

NFL: DeWayne Robertson

Defensive Tackle

Denver Broncos

2007 contract salary cap value: $7.4 million (with N.Y. Jets)

Percentage of team cap: 8.7%

Average cap value 2005-07: $6.9 million

Average last three seasons: 54 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Robertson has developed into a solid nose tackle but never lived up to a contract that reflected his being the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft. On April 24, the Jets sent him to Denver for an undisclosed 2009 draft pick.

overpaidathletes 09,NFL: DeWayne Robertson

NFL: Quentin Jammer

Cornerback

San Diego Chargers

2007 contract salary cap value: $8.6 million

Pct. of team cap: 8.7%

Average cap value 2005-07: $6.5 million

Average last three seasons: 70 tackles, two interceptions

Jammer has never made all-pro despite being the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft. He's a tough, physical player but not considered a top "cover guy" who blankets pass receivers regularly.


overpaidathletes 10,NFL: Derrick Dockery

NFL: Derrick Dockery

Offensive Guard

Buffalo Bills

2007 contract salary cap value: $6.8 million

Percentage of team cap: 7.5%

Average cap value 2005-07: $3 million

The All-American from the University of Texas was a third-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in 2003. After four steady--but unspectacular--seasons with the 'Skins, the Buffalo Bills came calling with an $18 million free-agent signing bonus in 2007.

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