I stuffed Vince Carter

It's neat to have rubbed shoulders with some of the wealthiest athletes in the world for 2006. I even stuffed one of them in a game of pick-up basketball back in 1989. I wonder if any of them could spare a dime for this reporter I'm sure they don't remember.
Sports Illustrated recently listed the 50-highest paid athletes in the world. Topping the list was Tiger Woods with a staggering $112 million payday last year, most of which earned through endorsements. I never met that dude, but I've played his video game. Rounding out the top five on SI's list are Oscar De La Hoya at $55 million, Phil Mickelson at $51 million, Shaquille O'Neal, who once served as Chris Brandt's personal punching bag at $35 million, and Kobe Bryant at $34 million.
I never spoke one-on-one with any of those guys. But four in the top 25 I have.
Chatted a time or two with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who ranks No. 10 on the list at $27 million. Covering NASCAR in my former life facilitated that opportunity. Good guy. Free spirit. I remember the time President Bush called him on his cell phone after winning the 2004 Daytona 500. After the congratulatory call, Junior looked at his phone and said, "Cool, I got the president's number."
Keeping with the NASCAR theme, I talked with Jeff Gordon, a couple of times at Daytona and Talladega. My first interview with Gordon was actually over the phone while he was in his beachside hotel room in 1992. Car-owner Bill Davis gave me his room number, so I called for a story. Rumor had it, the young Busch Series driver had a chance to make it big. He did -- and then he left Davis Racing for greener pastures. Gordon ranked No. 16 in 2006 at $22 million.
Barry Bonds is on the brink of breaking Hank's record. But 16 years ago, a leaner, less pumped Barry, led the Pirates into the NLCS to face the Braves. Covering the Series, I did a feature on Bonds one afternoon regarding his postseason struggles. Very defensive man. Angry. That day, he blew up at TV reporter Jim Gray in the clubhouse. A few days later, Sid slid and the Braves won the pennant. Bonds' 2006 paycheck was $23 million, ranking 14th.
In 1986, I photographed an 8-year-old basketball star who scored 46 points in a Port Orange, Fla., youth league game. The kid was incredible. I published the photo and wrote a story about his performance. A few days later, a young Vince Carter, wrote me a letter saying the picture and story appeared on his birthday and it apparently was the highlight of the day. Hopefully, that little story in the Port Orange Observer still ranks up there with Sports Illustrated. You can see the picture above.
Three years later, Vince appeared at a local basketball court where a few friends and I were playing hoops. We needed an extra and he more than filled the void. He was great for 11, though I stuffed him under the boards. Not in my house, Vince! If he wants a rematch, I'm up for it.
Vince made $20 million last year, ranking him No. 23. If he could find it in his heart to buy me a new car that would be great. I might settle, however, for a new mailbox.