Giancarlo Stanton Signs $325 Million Deal With Miami Marlins, Becomes Richest Athlete In Sports

GIANCARLO Stanton made headlines around the world this week when he finalised a 13-year $325 million contract with the Miami Marlins.
The deal is the largest contract in the history of sport and came as a bit of a surprise to those outside of the US where Stanton doesn’t have a huge profile.
While opinions are split on whether any athlete is worth that much money, if you’re going to invest in a young baseballer, Stanton isn’t a bad choice.
Here are eight things to help you get to know sport’s new money man.
1. HE SUFFERED A HORRIFIC INJURY THIS YEAR
IN his final game of the 2014 season Stanton was hit directly in the face by a fast ball.
He suffered multiple facial fractures, dental damage and a laceration and missed the final 17 games of the season.
After their huge investment, the Marlins will be hoping Stanton can avoid another incident like this in the future.
2. HE’S POSED NUDE

Giancarlo Stanton Body Issue shoot

STANTON grew up playing football so he learnt how to work out.

He featured on the cover of ESPN Magazine’s body issue in 2013, showing off his impressive physique.
3. HE’S A MAN OF MANY NAMES
STANTON was born Giancarlo Cruz Michael Stanton in Panorama City, California in 1989.
His mother calls him Cruz but his father and other relatives call him Mike or Mikey.
He was known as Mike Stanton through his high school and minor league career but decided he preferred Giancarlo in 2012.
4. HE’S A RARE TALENT
STANTON was drafted straight out of high school and immediately started earning rave reviews in the minor leagues.
He became the Marlins’ third youngest debutant after being called up to the majors in 2010 and became just the fourth player in the past 25 years to hit a grand slam before his 21st birthday.
He now has 154 home runs — tied for the most in Marlins history — at age 25.
5. HE HITS A LONG BALL
6. HE STOLE THE SHOW IN THIS YEAR’S HOME RUN DERBY
Stanton finished tied for third in this year’s MLB Home Run Derby but it was this jaw-dropping monster hit that everyone remembered.
7. HE’S THE LATEST BASEBALLER TO STRIKE IT RICH
OF the 33 largest contracts in sports history, all but three went to athletes in the salary cap-free Major League Baseball.
Here are the top five:
Giancarlo Stanton (Miami Marlins) — 13 years, $325 million
Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) — 10 years, $292 million
Alex Rodriguez (NY Yankees) — 10 years, $275 million
Robinson Cano (Seattle Mariners) — 10 years, $240 million
Albert Pujols (LA Angels) — 10 years, $240 million
8. HE CELEBRATED IN STYLE