This entire story begs the question, if the player is really sitting on such a huge fortune, surely he could guarantee a roster spot by purchasing the team from cash-strapped Frank McCourt? From MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
Left-hander Matt White, whose quest to make the Dodgers’ pitching staff as a non-roster invitee was overshadowed by revelations of his billion-dollar rock find, was one of seven players demoted Monday morning.
In addition to White, the Dodgers assigned to Minor League camp John Meloan, outfielder Choo Freeman and infielder Tony Abreu, who injured his shoulder Saturday and is out for two to four weeks. Pitchers D.J. Houlton and Eric Stults and outfielder Delwyn Young were optioned.
Although he is neither a top prospect nor an established Major Leaguer, the popular White shot from clubhouse novelty to national celebrity after MLB.com reported that he lucked into a fortune when the land he purchased from an aunt was found loaded with valuable rock. He was the subject of interviews by The New York Times, The Today Show, CNN, AP, CNBC, ABC World News and the television tabloids.
White said the media frenzy that resulted from his off-the-field business was head-spinning, but did not distract him from his goal.
“It was crazy for a week, then it settled down,” he said. “I had never been through anything like that before; it was completely new for me. I’ve always been a fly-under-the-radar guy. There’s still interest in that, but I don’t want to talk about rocks.”
His teammates began calling White “The Billionaire” after he told MLB.com that his 50 acres in Massachusetts came with 24 million tons of decorative construction rock on it that sells for $100 a ton.