Back in the early part of the 20th century, before free agency and television helped make professional sports home of some of the country's highest paying jobs, players weren't very well compensated. It was the norm for a player to finish the baseball season in October, and then spend the months from November to March working a bunch of side jobs. It wasn't to relieve themselves from boredom, or to stay in shape for the season, it was to put food on the table for their families.Well, obviously times have changed, and now that players make millions of dollars, they don't have to take that part-time job as a greeter at the local Wal-Mart. Still, that doesn't mean all players just sit around getting fat during the winter, as Kansas City's Kyle Davies has found a great way to stay in shape during the offseason, and get some extra spending cash.
"I'm a laborer, man," he says into his cell phone.Now Kyle isn't doing this as some sort of panicked reaction to the recession or anything, he's been working for his father's company as a laborer since he was 12, and has just found it's a good way to stay physically sound before spring training starts. In fact, Kyle was actually working on repairing a McDonald's parking lot with his father when he found out he was drafted by the Braves back in 2001.
"I work as a contractor," he says. "A little of everything. I pour concrete, dig ditches, lay pipe, get on the machines, pick up garbage. Whatever they need me to do."
So I guess if Kyle can't cut it behind Gil Meche and Zack Greinke in the Royals rotation next season, he'll always have his construction gig as a Plan B.
