Scrappy small market hero redsox pay 42 million for Japanese Pitcher

[James]

Yes because they are driving up the cost of competing for the smaller market clubs. I'm not a fan of Dolan but how can he compete with the Yankees and Red Sox payrolls? There's a reason why the NBA and NFL instituted salary caps - to maintain competitive balance. I'm happy the Red Sox and Yanks only have one World Series win in the last 6 years but the fact remains they make the playoffs EVERY SINGLE YEAR because they are the only teams that can overpay to acquire the best available free agent talent every year.

The Orioles have a pretty steep payrol, and the Mets also do as well. but it seems like we are talkign only about AL teams. Fact remains, the Yanks and Sox get fans to the ballpark, even when its not at their own, and MLB loves that. And this is also a case of "What came first the chicken or the egg?" did the greedy player who wants more and more money come first? or the owner who is willing to dish out huge contracts to these greedy players?

i think the first team that really did this was the Marlins in 98 (or was it 96?) when they had just about everyone on that team.

 

[chiefwahoo]

It was the Marlins in 1997, and of course we lost to them in 7 games in the World Series. That's really were my hatred of the inflated salaries started. That team was 100% bought and built for one year and they happened to win the World Series and promptly dismantled the team.

Now it's a vicious cycle. And I would argue that the Yanks and Sox are able to draw fans to the park every year because they are legitimate contenders every year. But they are also an institution in the cities they play in so they would probably draw well regardless of their records. I go to games in Cleveland because I enjoy watching my team play but I can understand why some fans here don't. And honestly, the economics here in Cleveland are vastly different from those in Boston and NYC. There is a lot more collective wealth in those cities and their surrounding areas then there is here. That's where the fair-weather fan accusations hit Cleveland when in reality there is just much less disposable income here. Most people around here will really only pay to see a winner. Unless of course it's the Browns

 

[James]

It was the Marlins in 1997, and of course we lost to them in 7 games in the World Series. That's really were my hatred of the inflated salaries started. That team was 100% bought and built for one year and they happened to win the World Series and promptly dismantled the team.

Now it's a vicious cycle. And I would argue that the Yanks and Sox are able to draw fans to the park every year because they are legitimate contenders every year. But they are also an institution in the cities they play in so they would probably draw well regardless of their records. I go to games in Cleveland because I enjoy watching my team play but I can understand why some fans here don't. And honestly, the economics here in Cleveland are vastly different from those in Boston and NYC. There is a lot more collective wealth in those cities and their surrounding areas then there is here. That's where the fair-weather fan accusations hit Cleveland when in reality there is just much less disposable income here. Most people around here will really only pay to see a winner. Unless of course it's the Browns

I think that most of what you are saying is very well thought out, and respectable, i dont know the economics of Cleveland, i have been there a few times, and the city as a whole didnt seem like an attractive place to live, i also understand that the city never really recovered from the riots.

but here is some food for thought, Sox fans are passionate, Yanks fans are passionate to win...but i left 1 team out...The Cubs, i have been to Wrigley 5-6 times, and EVERY game at Wrigley sells out. The Cubs were some trash last year and the year before, but it is very hard to get a ticket to go their, people will always go to Boston to see a game because its well Fenway, people will always go to games in Yankee stadium, because its a historic place, same goes for Wrigley.

 

[cdt]

Ignore James..he's just salty that they blew 42 mill on the next BK Kim :chuckles: jackasses..

 

[chiefwahoo]

I'm hoping he's nowhere near as good as BK Kim. :chuckles:

 

[PIP]

"Aw guys, c'mon"

 

[James]

Pip B.K. Kim beat you in the World Series....

i still want El. Guapo.

 

[PIP]

Correction:

Luis Gonzalez did.. Curt Schilling did... Randy Johnson did..

BK Kim got his head kicked in during game 4,5... Back to back game tying HR's in the bottom of the 9th by my boys, Scotty Brousius and Tino...

 

[chiefwahoo]

OK, enough about the Yanks and Red Sox, I just threw up all over my keyboard.

 

[James]

doesnt change the fact that you lost to the arizona freaking diamondbacks.

 

[PIP]

And we also lost to the Marlins...

Which is a clear indication that we've been to the world series several times in the last 10 years or so... 6 outta the 10 years

Get to a few more, and then decide to puff that chest out.. Hell, make the playoffs first.. Last time I checked, the R-Sox aren't even a playoff team..

Hopefully, for your team's sake, Captain Egg Roll brings you back to prominence.. Otherwise, this seems like a desperate attempt to close the gap if you ask me..

 

[James]

close but no cigar my friend. getting there is only half way there, you lost Shef, and you lost a pitcher, unless you get Zito...you will have the same kind of season you had this year, a huge clubhouse with a bunch of indivduals, as well as A-Rod (who i think will still be traded). you guys won 1 more playoff game then we did, and lost to the tigers...

people said the same thing about ching ming whatever his last name is, that he wouldnt be good, and he is a pretty good pitcher, hopefully this guy has the same success and all our guys get healthy.

 

[PIP]

And you did what ?

Fact of the matter is, we played much better with Cabrera over Sheff... I personally wouldn't mind losing a couple of these guys.. The team needs guys that are willing to do the little things to win games..

Sheffield is not going to lay down a bunt, or look to hit an run... Cabrera will do those things.. And we need more of them.. The only way I will scrap that will be if Soriano is wearing the stripes next season.. What he lacks, he makes up for in the clutch, and on the bases.. It's hard to have a buch of tradtionally 3 and 4 type hitters in the 8 or 9 hole.

Philip Hughes dominance in 2007...

 

[CornerThree]

Hey now, pip. The Sox have one won WS in the last 88 years, so give them champions some credit. The scrappy small market hero low budget grind it out championship redsox are on even par with the Yankees.


As F'n If.

Fck the Sox.

 

[CornerThree]

Remember, the small market underdog Sox were THIRD in their division this year.