Zumaya was a penny stock because he was cheap and unlikely to have a high return. an investment is a risk, and it isnt even debatable. The risk isnt 1D like you seem to think, Ted. You're completely ignoring the financial investment, and saying the reward is the risk. That's a ridiculous way to look at it unless you're counting on it to be a major contributor.
You buy a loaf of bread for a dollar and you take a slice off to find out theres a big f***in piece of mold on it, is a dollar lost a big deal? Nope, not unless you took a bite and got sick from that moldy bread (signed it to a major league deal and blindly expected a dumpster purchase to work out). Next thing you know you're in the ER (in second place or worse) because of food poisoning (blown saves, a .106 batting average leading off, a John Lackey in the rotation)