Buffalo News (New York)
December 20, 2009 Sunday
Dear Editor:
In response to a recent letter, the whole "buying a World Series" argument has always made me chuckle. When the Yankees didn't win from 2001-2008, everybody laughed and said that it takes more than a high payroll to win. Now that they won, all of the sudden they "bought" the Series. You can't have it both ways.
And this whole notion that the Yankees and other high profile teams raid other franchises is just as ridiculous. It's not the Yankees that are bad for baseball, it's the system in which baseball operates. You want to know how much money these small market teams make? According to Forbes in 2008, Marlins -- $43 million profit before taxes, Nationals -- $42.7 million, Rays -- $30 million, Orioles, Twins and Athletics -- $27 million. All in all, 14 teams profited over $20 million. Perhaps there should be a salary bottom instead of a cap.
Because of their commitment to winning, the Yankees operate close to the red year in and year out so that they can field the best team possible. Unfortunately for the fans of these small market teams, their owners are more interested in making an extra million instead of going after quality free agents or re-signing their own good players. So instead of griping about the Yankees spending their money, why don't you go tell your team to spend theirs?
Jeremy DeLuca
Lockport
December 20, 2009 Sunday
Dear Editor:
In response to a recent letter, the whole "buying a World Series" argument has always made me chuckle. When the Yankees didn't win from 2001-2008, everybody laughed and said that it takes more than a high payroll to win. Now that they won, all of the sudden they "bought" the Series. You can't have it both ways.
And this whole notion that the Yankees and other high profile teams raid other franchises is just as ridiculous. It's not the Yankees that are bad for baseball, it's the system in which baseball operates. You want to know how much money these small market teams make? According to Forbes in 2008, Marlins -- $43 million profit before taxes, Nationals -- $42.7 million, Rays -- $30 million, Orioles, Twins and Athletics -- $27 million. All in all, 14 teams profited over $20 million. Perhaps there should be a salary bottom instead of a cap.
Because of their commitment to winning, the Yankees operate close to the red year in and year out so that they can field the best team possible. Unfortunately for the fans of these small market teams, their owners are more interested in making an extra million instead of going after quality free agents or re-signing their own good players. So instead of griping about the Yankees spending their money, why don't you go tell your team to spend theirs?
Jeremy DeLuca
Lockport
Hear him ! Hear him !
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