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There's a parity party, and everyone's invited

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

I hate the Yankees. I'm sick of seeing the Yankees in the postseason. The Yankees spend the most money and win every year.

That kind of baseball cynic you're familiar with. But at some point this October, you might hear the same grouch sound a different refrain:

Where are the Yankees? I miss the Yankees. Without them, the postseason just isn't the same.

Can't live with the Yankees, can't live without 'em. But if fans are paying attention, they should relish the postseason regardless of whether the Yankees qualify or how far they advance.

The competition will be that good.

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"The fact of the matter is, in terms of parity, no one can complain," commissioner Bud Selig says. "The Yankees may make the playoffs; they may not. That in itself is a manifestation of how good the system is."

Not quite--the Yankees' predicament is more a reflection of their age and excess than their increased payments to poorer clubs. But the grumbling about the inability of low-revenue teams to compete--grumbling that comes from owners as well as fans--is no longer as valid.

The outlook is so encouraging, the owners almost certainly will refrain from pressing for additional reform to the game's economic structure when the current labor agreement expires after next season. Rather than demand a salary cap--a concept that incites the players union--the owners appear more likely to seek revenue-sharing and luxury tax adjustments in an attempt to further enhance competitive balance.

"Things are much better--the trauma I had in the '90s, I don't have that anymore," Selig says. "Clearly, I believe in the new system. Does it need work? Yes. But it's much different than where we were in '94."

Selig lists the Indians as one of many teams benefiting from increased revenue sharing, which began under the current labor agreement in 2003. But the Indians' $41.8 million payroll, fifth-lowest in the majors, suggests their resurgence is more accurately attributed to shrewd management. Even before the current agreement, low revenue teams such as the A's and Twins found ways to win. The difficult part for those clubs--as it will be for the Indians--is sustaining success.

Still, there's no question the system is helping--the Twins retained pitcher Johan Santana long-term; the Brewers did the same with their ace, Ben Sheets. Teams such as the Brewers and even the Rockies are starting to compete. Royals owner David Glass plans to increase his payroll from $36.9 million, second-lowest in the majors, to at least $50 million next season, the Kansas City Star reports, and Glass cites the sport's improving revenue picture.

Then there is this: Of the 14 teams still in contention with a week left in the season, three had payrolls in the bottom third, four were in the middle third and seven were in the top third. Four of the top 11 spenders--the Mets, Cubs, Mariners and Dodgers--were out of contention.

"There's more parity today than there has been for a long, long time," Selig says. "People say, 'There are bad teams'--they don't remember the St. Louis Browns and Philadelphia A's. There have always been bad teams, going back 130 years. But the Yankees can't dominate any more than they did from 1949 to '64."

During that 16-year period, the Yankees appeared in 14 World Series, winning nine. In the past 11 years, under an expanded, three-tiered postseason format, they've appeared in six Series, winning four--and none since 2000.

Considering the Yankees' impact on television ratings, it's good for MLB when they're in the postseason. But as Selig says, "The year has been so good, the competition has been so good, whoever wins, wins."

The Yankees can win. The Indians can win.

Whatever the explanations, that's progress.

speed reads

If Red Sox OH David Ortiz is a legitimate NVP candidate, then what about Indians DH Travis Hafner? Ortiz entered the week leading the majors in RBIs and was tied for the A.L lead in homers, but Harrier had a higher on-base/slugging percentage. Hafner's season might have turned out even better if he hadn't missed nearly three weeks because of a concussion.

Mets manager Willie Randolph's inexperience might have cost his team several victories. Randolph, like many first-time managers, occasionally struggles with bullpen moves. The question is whether Randolph will learn from his mistakes. Developing a feel for pitching is perhaps the most difficult task for a manager.

Ivan Rodriguez's offensive decline and questionable attitude have helped undermine Tigers manager Alan Trammell, raising the possibility of a trade. One possible landing spot for Pudge is Arizona, where his former agent, Jeff Moorad, is the Diamondbacks' CEO. Arizona's catchers rank 14th in the N.L. in OPS.

INSIDE DISH

There's a parity party, and everyone's invited

Sporting News, The, Oct 7, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

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