C.J. Wilson is a Champ

This past week saw some serious cash exchange hands at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

First off, the Miami Marlins shelled out $191 million for shortstop Jose Reyes and pitchers Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell.

Not to be outdone, the Los Angeles Angels broke the bank when they inked lefty C.J. Wilson and three-time MVP Albert Pujols to contracts in excess of $330 million.

Naturally, fans of the players' former teams were none to pleased when they found out their beloved stars had left for seemingly greener pastures.

New York Mets fans hit Twitter to hurl racial slurs at their former batting champ, while in St. Louis, Cardinal faithful took the the streets to burn their Pujols jerseys.

But in Texas, Rangers fans reacted differently to Wilson signing with a divisional rival.

And my guess is it had something to do with this:

I just want to say thank you to all the ranger fans who have supported me, and my efforts in the community the last six years in Texas. Surely it's both hard for some to understand that I left for a different team let alone a division rival- it was bittersweet for me as well. At the end of the day the rangers didn't make a push to keep me on the team. The angels an marlins wanted me on their... teams and proved it. everything written about an asking price etc was media speculation and never had an ounce of truth. The rangers are a great organization with talented front office and players and will be a difficult team to beat and it's very sad to leave such awesome teammates and fans. The last few years in ranger stadium were special- going from a losing team to bankrupt to american league champs was a complete transformation and obviously everyone should be proud of it. The charity will continue even stronger now and we will continue to support North Texas kids as well as SoCal kids. Please keep that spirit of philanthropy alive for your local causes like cooks children's hospital, Scottish rite, dallas children's and the boys and girls club.

You see, instead of thanking the fans via a press conference while wearing the opposing teams' colors or taking out the cliched full-page ad in the local fishwrap...Wilson did what he always does.

He worked his social media channels and thanked his "friends" directly.

So, yeah, it doesn't matter that Wilson didn't get the biggest contract this past week.  Further more, it doesn't matter if dude ever wins a World Series with his new team.

C.J. Wilson is a champ, folks.

Jose Reyes is Gone...Free Beer!

So, you're a fan of a team and you buy a shirt of said team's superstar.  What do you do when that guy leaves your city and you're left holding wearing an outdated jersey?

Well, if you're a New York Mets fan left with a Jose Reyes jersey...you drink.  For free.

You read that right.

Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant is offering fans of the newly inked Miami Marlin a chance to bid adieu to the popular Mets shortstop.  The bar is offering up a free beer, champagne or appetizers to fans in exhange for their Reyes jerseys.

“New York baseball is feeling a swirl of emotions as Jose Reyes heads south this winter.  We’re giving Mets fans a chance to drown their sorrows, or celebrate, and bid adios to Jose, one of the best and most popular Mets players ever,” said Shaun Clancy, owner of Foley’s.  “By doing this, we can have a little fun and donate to clothing drives for people who are less fortunate.”

Not a terrible idea, really.  I mean, it sure tops burning his stuff in the streets, doesn't it Cleveland?

Oh...and speaking of old faces in new places that, in turn, magically transform into an old place...can anyone find me a Mike Piazza jersey from his day(s) with the Florida Marlins?

Please.

***Props to The Eddie Kranepool Society for the head's up.***