Sometimes you are left just shaking your head

It's hard to pinpoint when I first became a sports fan. It must have been when I was very young, because I can't remember a time when I was not enamored with the world of athletics. I remain a fan today, though admittedly there have been times when something happens that causes me to question my loyalty to the games that have always fascinated me.Usually, though certainly not always, the event that sparks the questioning of my sanity involves money. As in, millions and millions of dollars. I don't think I am envious of athletes that pile up the bucks, or unhappy with the university that rakes in incredible dollar amounts from sports related activities. It just boggles my mind that the money is out there and causes my cranium to wobble back and forth.Two stories brought back the head shaking this week. Let me share with you the reason for the shock, disbelief and amazement.When the best young players in baseball are debated, three such men tend to head the list. Ronald Acuna, Jr. an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, Fernando Tatis, Jr. a San Diego Padres infielder and Juan Soto, the 23 year old outfielder for the Washington Nationals that won the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game this week.So given the status of these three it did not come as a shock that the Nationals MADE a long term extension offer to Soto. The shock was not necessarily the SIZE of the deal, though $440 million over 15 years to play a game was indeed the biggest offer major league baseball had ever seen.No, the shock occurred when Juan Soto – presumably with a straight face – said "NO THANKS!"Now I am aware of the fact that there is more to the offer than meets the eye. It is possible (gasp!) that it is not a great deal at all. Perhaps the length of the deal, or the fact that Soto doesn't want to spend the rest of his career in D.C. led him to turn down the offer. Maybe, just maybe, he can get even more money on the free agent market… Is your head swinging now?Juan Soto and I do have something in common. Whereas I worked all day and then played baseball at night for the fun of the game, Soto likely spends his day prepping for a baseball game that will pay him thousands of dollars for an evening's "work."The common bond – we both play(ed) baseball.The other thing I saw this week was a real estate posting in North Carolina. If you are a Nascar fan, you are familiar with Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. He has driven in the Cup Series for several years now though I don't think anybody would consider him to be in the top 15 if you were to compose a current list of the best drivers in the sport.That doesn't mean he is not wealthy. The property for sale is located north of Charlotte and the "modest" home can be yours for the right price. Let's look at what you get if you can swing a deal.The residence, which sits on 140 acres, is 9,986 square feet. It has five bedrooms, six baths, an infinity pool and pool house, a putting green, a fitness training facility and guest living quarters.Wait, there's more. The property includes an 18 stall horse stable including an 18 locker tack room and a 136x240 covered arena with full sound system.Now let me break down this property for a potential buyer such as yours truly. At 140 acres I would not be able to walk the perimeter. Five bedrooms would not house all of my wife's relatives. I don't know if I have enough friends and acquaintances to fill the guest quarters. The pool is gorgeous, the putting green is intriguing, but the fitness training facility… Ha, ha, ha!I once rode a horse when I was younger. At my age today, I would not even get on a pony at the local fair, which, I would assume, would make the pony happy! The horses may not mind the sound system at the arena, but it would probably scare me.There is also the price tag. This property can be yours for a mere $15,995,000. That puts it JUST beyond my budget. Now if I hit the Mega Millions jackpot this week, I could easily afford this piece of real estate. Unfortunately, I have been told to hit the lottery you actually have to buy a ticket. There's always something…So let me recap the situation. I hope Juan Soto gets a new deal. I hope he is happy wherever he ends up. It would appear that he will be justly compensated for his talents. I also hope Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. sells his house, if that is what he wants to do. If he can't find a buyer, well hopefully he likes horses!As for me, I thought I was done being shocked by the amount of money thrown around in the sports industry. For now I am holding steady. But you know the next big story is just around the corner.And that means I will once again be left with just shaking my head.