Gil Meche

This offseason, Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche, who signed for $55 million before the 2007 season, decided to retire. Forgoing the final year of his contract, Meche left $12 million on the table asking the Royals not to pay him. Asked about the logic behind his decision, Meche said, "Honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved it." In an era where greed takes center stage both in collegiate and professional sports, I found Meche's old-fashioned econo-ethics to be refreshing. Read more about Meche and his decision in this New York Times article.

- Joel