Documentaries like ESPN’s 30 for 30: Broke, chronicle how easy it is for major athletes to earn hundreds of millions of dollars and somehow manage to lose it all. Vin Baker was a former big man for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics and other teams — he of four straight All-Star appearances and one 20-and-10 season — fell into alcoholism and ended up losing nearly $100 million. But he’s found solace, happiness and redemption in his latest endeavor.
Now 43, newly married and with four children, Baker is training to manage a Starbucks franchise. He thanks CEO Howard Shultz, the former Seattle SuperSonics owner, with this opportunity. He’s also a trained minister who savors work at his father’s church in Connecticut. Most important, he has been sober for more than four years.
“In this company, there are opportunities for everyone,” the 6-foot-11 Baker told the Providence Journal. “I have an excellent situation here at Starbucks, and the people are wonderful.”
As for the people who view his story as tragic, Baker was quick to downplay that notion. He isn’t running away from it, either; he wants people to learn from his mistakes.
“When you learn lessons in life, no matter what level you’re at financially, the important part to realize is it could happen,” he told the Journal. “I was an alcoholic. I lost a fortune. I had a great talent and lost it. For the people on the outside looking in, they’re like, ‘Wow.’
“For me, I’m 43, and I have four kids. I have to pick up the pieces. I’m a father. I’m a minister in my father’s church. I have to take the story and show that you can bounce back. If I use my notoriety in the right way, most people will appreciate that this guy is just trying to bounce back in his life.”
At least he’s sober and he appears to be happy. Really that’s all that matters.
