The New York Post reported in March that Anaheim Angels pitcher Kevin Appier is one of many farmers who receives a federal subsidy for his 270-acre Kansas farm.
Since 1996, Appier has received $4,042 in price supports and other assistance for soybeans, corn and sorghum he’s grown. Appier is in the middle of a 4-year, $42 million contract with the Angels.
David Williams of Citizens Against Government Waste told The Post, “I guess Appier is participating in the second great American pastime: taking government subsidies.”
In an interview with the Associated Press, Appier recently told a reporter that he didn’t grow up on a farm but always wanted to own one because, “I just always thought it would be neat.”
What would be really neat, Kevin, would be if you’d use your $7 million average annual salary to pay for your farm rather than taking handouts from the rest of us.
Source:
$42M Baseball Player Reaps Farm Aid. Bill Heller, New York Post, March 27, 2002.