Let me begin by saying, one of my criticisms of this site that I included in my comments to Svo when he was surveying opinions of Irish Envy was that I felt there were too many non-football and non-recruiting posts that had to be sifted through to find the information that I had signed on to find.
Nevertheless, I will offer my two-cents on this thread. The comment that, "The Red Sox are not far behind" is partly true. They usually rank second or third every year. However, the yearly difference between the Yankees and the next highest spending team is $60 million. That's right, the Yankees can spend $60 million more each year than any other team, including the Red Sox, and still make a profit. Why, because they derive an obscene revenue stream from their Yes network. Despite being one of the big spenders, compared to the Royals or Pirates, the Red Sox must exibit some fiscal restraint in their dealings (While they have increased NESN revenues, it will never approach that of the Yankees - New England's population vs. the New York City SMSA). Thats why they couldn't re-sign Pedro Martinez or Johnny Damon to a long-term contract (The Mets are another big-time spender with a Yes network cable money stream to the Yankees) or trading for Randy Johnson and giving him an extension. These deals are all similar in that the Yankees and Mets are paying for what these players can produce now, even if it means "eating the final years of their contracts." The Red Sox, on the other hand, must weigh the value of the contract over its entire length. The current management knows that, when money is involved, they cannot compete with the Yankees. So, their organizational philosophy is to develop a farm system. In this way, no matter how much money Mr. Steinbrenner has to throw around, you control players developed in your farm system for six years. Bringing up a steady stream of players from your farm system at a minimum salary frees up more money to be spend on selective free agents. The Yankees don't care about having to pay a large luxury tax every year (it gets larger incrementally, if each year you are a payee); while the Red Sox worry about the bottom line and try to stay within the low or no-pay category. Its no accident that Fenway Park ticket prices, with its relatively small seating capacity, are the highest - by far - in major league baseball. And the gap is going to get nothing but wider when the new stadium in New York opens.
I am from the Greater Boston area (North Shore, but actually grew up a Braves fan (as a "diminutive left-handed pitcher;" Warren Spahn was my idol). I was a charter member of the Knothole Gang, which allowed someone like myself, who came from a single-parent household with four, other syblings to attend a few games each year. I've followed them from Boston to Milwaukee to Atlanta. After Ted Turner sold the team to Times-Mirror, which coincided somewhat with the sale of the Yawkee estate to the present owners, I became a convert to "Red Sox Nation." So, I feel that I can be objective about the team. First, I laugh when I read about, " The Curse." The only curse surrounding the Red Sox was that of ownership. Sure, trading Babe Ruth was a colossal mistake (to obtain money to finance a broadway show!) but, if there was any curse, it was being owned by Tom Yawkey. Why? Because the Red Sox were the last team to sign a black or Latino player (They had opportunities to sign both Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays). He was from the South (Louisville, KY) and was a racist (Yet, he financed a wing of and was elected to Cooperstown!).
"Red Sox fans whine." Well, some may whine. That's not aa characteristic unique to Red Sox fans. However, most true baseball fans in this area marvel at how the Yankees have been able to survive the rash of injuries they have sustained this year and give them credit for still being able to stay in the pennant race (As Patriots fans, we certainly can empathize with this situation). Further, the reaction to the Yankee moves at the trading deadline in acquiring Bobby Abreau, Cory Liddle and Jack Wilson has been to give Brian Cashman and the organization credit for; while criticizing Theo Epstein for standing pat. The rationale they used was that they didn't want to give up any of their young talent but, as was mentioned above, the Yankees gave up no top-level minor league talent in that trade. The only "whining" I've read (Boston Globe) or heard (WEEI Sports Talk Radio) was about the Red Sox lack of activity!
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't make a comparison between the replies following this initial posting and Notre Dame. Red Sox fans look at the Yankees in the same way that Fighting Irish fans look at the Trojans. We get frustrated when we lose players like Marc Tyler and James Wilson to "Pom Pom." We site the storied histoy of the football program, but kids today live for the moment. So, unfortunately, the situation won't change until Coach Weis can continue the progress begun last year and put together several, consecutive winning seasons and bowl appearances. Yankee fans, too, like to talk about their storied history. Young members of "Red Sox Nation" are quick to reply, "The Yankees have not won a World Series in the 21st Century!"
Now, lets get back to Notre Dame football and 2006 recruiting!!!!!!
Subway Alum - MA
ND Fan Since 1952
