e who look at this and say ridiculous, no athlete

We saw what it looked like last spring. Toronto as a basketball-mad city captured not just our own attention but that of those from around the NBA. The buzz in the city, the crowds at Maple Leaf Square represented by fans from nearly every Toronto ethnic demographic ... and of course the atmosphere inside the Air Canada Centre – electric in a way it rarely, if ever, is for the local hockey team. It all felt like it might be a glimpse into the future. A future where the gap between the love of the local NBA and NHL teams might be small, where basketball might drive the sporting pulse of Toronto nearly as much as hockey. Were not there yet and we may never get there, at least for a long, long time. Outgoing Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president and CEO Tim Leiweke promised an audience last month that within 10 years the Raptors would be more popular than the Leafs. That statement may say far more about Leiwekes brashness and lack of sense for the market into which hes been transplanted. But the truth is we dont really know how close the Raptors could get because theyve have been so underwhelming during most of their existence. There is little less inspiring in sports than a bottom third NBA team playing out an 82-game schedule where most nights against good teams they dont stand a chance. So to truly get a sense of how much basketball potential there is to unlock in Toronto, were going to need more than just the Raptors running off a 48-win season, pushing a team to seven games during the first round of playoffs and coming up with a splashy television ad campaign. Were going to need a sustained period of competitive basketball. One where the Raptors stay on the NBA radar, with Toronto players becoming part of the greater NBA conversation. Were going to need marquee matchups, games on national television in the US. And rivalries that matter. The challenge with the Raptors hasnt so much been about getting good for a season or two ... its been about staying that way. The Raptors have had six winning seasons in their 19-year history and one playoff series win. This time has a chance to be different. They appear to have the right management, the right coach and a team that is not built primarily around the skills of one player, whose discontentment or subpar performance could on its own completely reverse the direction of things. Theres momentum, youth and potential on their side this time. And while an NBA Championship at the end of the road would be nice, what could come from the journey getting there would be far more significant in the long run. JJ Arcega-Whiteside Womens Jersey . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs. Brian Westbrook Womens Jersey . GQ Lundqvist quite well.Three rounds, and nearly two months later, will the Kings have the strength to reach the summit of the Empire State to claim the cup?Truer words have never been spoken. http://www.theeaglesshoponline.com/Youth-Carson-Wentz-Eagles-Jersey/ ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. Herman Edwards Youth Jersey . Fifth-seeded Cilic gained his fourth title in Zagreb and became the third Croat overall to win at least 10 career titles. Cilic also lifted his career record in Zagreb to 22-4, winning 20 of his last 21 matches at the event. JJ Arcega-Whiteside Youth Jersey . Terry came from Boston along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce but has appeared in just 35 games after a knee injury, averaging 4.5 points on 36 per cent shooting. Evans was a favourite of fans but not coach Jason Kidd, who used him in just 30 of their 51 games.In the 1970s and again in 80s, I signed that eras version of the Giancarlo Stanton deal.I was considered the Giancarlo Stanton of those times. I had led the league in home runs and RBIs a few times, so the Phillies decided I was worthy of becoming the highest-paid player in baseball.Ruly Carpenter, then owner of the Phillies, sat in front of me in spring training and told me about the responsibility that went along with my acceptance of $550,000 a year for five years. I said I understood. He had to trust my response and use his judgment as to my character and ability to fulfil this both off, and more importantly, on the field.Remember, I was a college graduate, 26 years old, married and a pretty good hitter. That was my ticket, as free agency had just been granted to players, and owners were in the first stages of fearing the loss of star players. That deal worked out great for both sides.After we won the 1980 World Series and I was the MVP, I really got the mini-Stanton deal. Highest salary ever, six years. Funny though, the entire deal was worth one-third of what Stanton will make a year. You bet there was a responsibility clause or two in that contract.Whether its $2 million or $30 million a year, it causes several changes in ones life, both private and public. Everywhere Stanton goes, he will be looked at as the guy with $325 million. Especially in his own clubhouse, which brings greater performance expectations.Sure, the Marlins will sell it differently, saying its the beginning of a new era, hes the face of the franchise, his teammates are excited for him, all good.Now hell get to experience batting slumps as the highest-paid player, a totally different feeling. Hell be at home plate with the bases loaded and strike out to a chorus of boos. Hell miss a ball in right field and want to crawl in a hole because of what he hears. Work as hard as you want behind the scenes, it doesnt matter, now you are expected not to fail.Off the field, he will have choices to make. Undesirable people will find him and want a piece of his financial future. He will be able to buy anything and everything — planes, yachts and expensive automobiles. He will need financial advisers and personal assistants, leading to the usual entourage.Gratuities will be expected to double. Cell phones will follow him everywhere. Facebook and Twitter will chronicle his every public minute. ESPN and the MLB Network will feature his performance, good and bad nightly.For someone who likes to stay under the radar, the question becomes: Is it worth it? The answer, of course, is hell, yes!This contract will carry a major burden along with it, and if history is any indication, these deals make little sense.Wed all like to believe Jeffrey Loria thought this through thoroughly. But after being out of the news, maybe the Marlins owner figured it was time to buy another show pony.He got Miami to give him a stadium deal. He signed and made promises to Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle about building a winner and then traded them. He hired Ozzie Guillen to link the team to the Latino population in Miami, and that move became a bust as well.Does Loria reallly believe Giancarlo Stanton will be a Marlin for the next 13 years?If a player in todays game can command the highest free agent-influenced salary in history, it is Stanton.dddddddddddd He is big, strong, fast, a five-tool player and 25 years old. Hes Jose Canseco minus PEDs, plus great defence. Hes not showy, or hung up on himself. In fact, he comes off as a bit shy and reserved, with no sense of entitlement. Very unusual in this generation.He has the potential to be the best player in the league for many years, a run he started in 2014, but can he stay healthy and hungry, and can the Marlins surround him with winning talent?Stanton has had three reasonably good seasons in his first five years, by todays standards. Hit 30-plus home runs three times and drove in 100 once. This past year was great timing, as he was far and away the best offensive player in the National League.To me, nobody was more valuable to an NL team in 2014 than Stanton, by a long shot.Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher baseball right now. Numbers dont lie. But there is no way a starting pitcher can be the Most Valuable Player of his league.Had the Marlins made the post-season, we wouldnt even be having this discussion. Its not possible for any player in the National League to be more valuable than Stanton.He plays every day. I repeat, he plays every day, not every fifth day. But enough of that debate for now.Stanton has tremendous potential, as we all know, but would a more conservative approach by Loria have been a more prudent avenue? Had Stanton delivered another MVP-caliber year in 2015, no one would have questioned making him rich.Stanton is coming off a nightmare injury for a hitter, being hit in the face. He has been injury-prone over his career, and will be a bigger centre of attention for opposing pitchers. If I were an owner and had $325 million to spend on one player, Id want to be sure he had what it takes to be MVP every year, which means unusual talent, desire, and durability.Backing up a great year with another great one would convince me. Id have waited till the end of 2015. After all, for $30 million a year shouldnt you be MVP a few times at least?For those who look at this and say ridiculous, no athlete is worth $325 million, understand the guy who realizes that the most is Stanton. Hes just a gifted young athlete doing what he does at the right time in history. Same as me back in the day.People want to lay blame somewhere for these things. Look in the mirror, fans. You pay these salaries by watching TV, buying jerseys, buying the products advertised by the teams, using social media, parking at stadiums and attending games where you eat, drink and buy memorabilia.Jeffrey Loria may not be the most popular guy in Miami, but he knows where this $325 million is coming from, and its not his savings account. Its from yours.So Miami fans, eat drink and be merry and enjoy Giancarlo Stanton for 13 years. You are paying for it.___Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt in 1977 became the first player to make more than $500,000 for a season. In December 1981, he signed a six-year deal that was worth a total of nearly $12 million. ' ' '