Ramirez is the second-highest-paid player in baseball, behind Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers.

He also is the Mets' second-highest-paid player with one year left on a five-year contract worth $29 million.

The second-highest-paid player on the field was the man who protected Hasselbeck's blind side, the left tackle Walter Jones, who made $7.5 million a year.

The second-highest-paid player on the Mets was pitcher Al Leiter, who was making $32 million for four years, or $8 million a year.

Smoltz, whose arbitration hearing had been scheduled for today, became the second-highest-paid player among those with fewer than five years in the major leagues.

Johnson, who was sought by some top European clubs, was recently signed to a contract extension that makes him the league's second-highest-paid player at $750,000 a year.

Also, pass rushers are currently the second-highest-paid players in football.

He becomes the second-highest-paid player in baseball after Jose Canseco.

Ramirez is the second-highest-paid player in baseball at $20 million a year.

He was the second-highest-paid player on the team after Amado Guevara.