I just pulled a post designating new Philadelphia Phillies pitching ace Cliff Lee an Ethics Hero “because more than any free agent sports figure in recent history, he displayed  integrity, common sense, sound life priorities and courage by deciding where he wanted to ply his trade based on factors other than the size of his paycheck alone.” Sadly, Cliff’s honor is hereby revoked. As the details of the deal he has agreed to with the Phillies emerged this morning, it appears that he did not, as reported earlier, forgo the opportunity to make an additional $50 million dollars by signing with the New York Yankees or Texas Rangers. Arguably, he took the richest deal.

Sigh.

Last night, Lee, the most sought after free agent pitcher on the market,  shocked the baseball world when he decided to accept a five-year contract offer from the Philadelphia Phillies, when everyone assumed that he was bound for the New York Yankees. Initial reports had the Phillies contract worth substantially less than what he was offered by the Yankees, propelling me briefly into ethics ecstasy. In the now-deleted post I entered earlier today, I wrote..

“Cliff Lee had the courage to reject these voices and follow his heart and mind, with the confidence that $100 million is more than enough for any man. By doing so, maybe he will strengthen the will of every professional who is tempted to uproot his or her family from a city and community they love to accept a job elsewhere with more perks and prestige. Maybe people will think about Cliff Lee when their skills, talents and loyalty are being lured by parties with dubious motives but bulging wallets, and maybe his inspiration will allow them to see through the dollar signs.

“There is such a thing as enough money. There is a point where seeking more money is little more than greed, insecurity and ego. There are more important and valuable objectives in life than maximizing one’s income, and we do not have to allow those with superior financial resources to control us.  Cliff Lee reminded Americans in and out of sports of all these truths, and gave up more than 50 million dollars to do it.”

It sure would have been nice, but it just wasn’t true. Cliff seems to have followed the money after all.

At least he stuck it to the Yankees.