Wells deserving of monster payoff

Shreveport native Vernon Wells is close to landing a seven-year, $126 million contract extension from the Toronto Blue Jays, which would be one of the top 10 contracts in baseball history.

In this wacky offseason of funny money, Wells' contract may be the smartest yet.

He's a Gold Glove center fielder. A Silver Slugger candidate at the plate. An All-Star. And, from dealing with him and interviewing his father, his off-the-field intangibles are far above what he brings to the Jays on the field.

How many children can say they helped one or both of their parents learn about doing right by their family? Or how many can say they showed their parents a better way to be a parent?

According to Vernon Wells Jr., Vernon Wells III can. Don't look for Wells III to get a big head over his contract. In July he was named to his second All-Star team and a week later his voice barely changed when asked about it.

It's funny, as one of baseball's recognized good guys (Houston's Jeff Bagwell) said good bye on Friday, another one (Wells) was rewarded accordingly for his special talents.