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Set for Life

These Athletes Retired as Multimillionaires, But Has Money Bought Them Happiness?

Peter Boulware | Ed O'Bannon | Delino DeShields | Bret Boone | Kenny Anderson

Set for Life: Delino DeShields

Returning to pro baseball after retiring in 2002, Delino DeShields finds himself in Billings, Mont.

Delino DeShields keeps his eye on his players in his new job as the hitting coach for the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs of the Pioneer League. In a 13-year major league career, DeShields had a .268 batting average with 80 home runs and 561 runs batted in in 1,615 games. He played with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs.

Delino DeShields keeps his eye on his players in his new job as the hitting coach for the Billings (Mont.) Mustangs of the Pioneer League. In a 13-year major league career, DeShields had a .268 batting average with 80 home runs and 561 runs batted in in 1,615 games. He played with the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Opening Day at Dehler Park in Billings. The $12.5-million stadium, which opened in 2008, replaced Cobb Field, the home of the Mustangs since 1948.

Opening Day at Dehler Park in Billings. The $12.5-million stadium, which opened in 2008, replaced Cobb Field, the home of the Mustangs since 1948.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields organizes the tools of his new trade as hitting instructor for the Mustangs, a rookie-level affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

DeShields organizes the tools of his new trade as hitting instructor for the Mustangs, a rookie-level affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields hits grounders during batting practice the day before Opening Day of the 2009 season.

DeShields hits grounders during batting practice the day before Opening Day of the 2009 season.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields's glove is marked with "Bop," his nickname since he was a kid.

DeShields's glove is marked with "Bop," his nickname since he was a kid.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

"I've been sitting home, basically, since I retired in 2002," DeShields says. "I just felt that something was missing. This ain't about the money, obviously. . . . I enjoy seeing young men improve."

"I've been sitting home, basically, since I retired in 2002," DeShields says. "I just felt that something was missing. This ain't about the money, obviously. . . . I enjoy seeing young men improve."

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields, who also serves as the first-base coach, will earn slightly more this season than he did on a per-game basis (about $27,000) in 2001, at the height of his earning power as a player.

DeShields, who also serves as the first-base coach, will earn slightly more this season than he did on a per-game basis (about $27,000) in 2001, at the height of his earning power as a player.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields helps get his players ready for Opening Day.

DeShields helps get his players ready for Opening Day.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

The Billings Mustangs huddle up during their final workout before the start of the 2009 season. DeShields is in the center.

The Billings Mustangs huddle up during their final workout before the start of the 2009 season. DeShields is in the center.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields strolls through the Mustangs' locker room before their opening game last month.

DeShields strolls through the Mustangs' locker room before their opening game last month.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields checks out the Mustangs' Opening Day roster while next to the rookie-ball spread of peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches.

DeShields checks out the Mustangs' Opening Day roster while next to the rookie-ball spread of peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields hauls a basket full of balls up the stairs to the clubhouse before the first game of the season. "It's part of being in the minors," DeShields says.

DeShields hauls a basket full of balls up the stairs to the clubhouse before the first game of the season. "It's part of being in the minors," DeShields says.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Billings Mustangs grounds crew member Sean Gratwohl puts the finishing touches on the chalk line around home plate before Opening Day action against the Great Falls Voyagers.

Billings Mustangs grounds crew member Sean Gratwohl puts the finishing touches on the chalk line around home plate before Opening Day action against the Great Falls Voyagers.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields, running onto the field as part of Opening Day ceremonies in Billings, wears No. 90 to commemorate the year he reached the majors.

DeShields, running onto the field as part of Opening Day ceremonies in Billings, wears No. 90 to commemorate the year he reached the majors.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields, left, Mauricio Pimentel, Leonardo Astorga, Humberto Sosa and William Stramp stand at attention during the National Anthem.

DeShields, left, Mauricio Pimentel, Leonardo Astorga, Humberto Sosa and William Stramp stand at attention during the National Anthem.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields talks to the Mustangs before their Opening Day game.

DeShields talks to the Mustangs before their Opening Day game.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

About his new coaching job DeShields says: " I'm learning a lot of things that get overlooked at the higher levels. It's like I've come full circle, back where it all started."

About his new coaching job DeShields says: " I'm learning a lot of things that get overlooked at the higher levels. It's like I've come full circle, back where it all started."

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields, who played second base for most of his 13-year career, is now a first base coach.

DeShields, who played second base for most of his 13-year career, is now a first base coach.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Outfielder Efrain Contreras gets a fist bump from DeShields after Contreras singled against Great Falls.

Outfielder Efrain Contreras gets a fist bump from DeShields after Contreras singled against Great Falls.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

Delino DeShields earned nearly $29 million in his major league career.

Delino DeShields earned nearly $29 million in his major league career.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields talks hitting with infielders Humberto Sosa, right, and Mauricio Pimentel.

DeShields talks hitting with infielders Humberto Sosa, right, and Mauricio Pimentel.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

DeShields talks hitting with infielders Humberto Sosa, right, and Mauricio Pimentel.

DeShields talks hitting with infielders Humberto Sosa, right, and Mauricio Pimentel.

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

The Mustangs have gotten off to a rough start this year, but DeShields is confident. "We're gonna be all right," he says. "These kids can hit. They just haven't yet."

The Mustangs have gotten off to a rough start this year, but DeShields is confident. "We're gonna be all right," he says. "These kids can hit. They just haven't yet."

Jonathan Newton-The Washington Post

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