I need to preface this post by saying that I am in favor of a salary cap in Major League Baseball, but I have accepted the fact that Bud Selig, current MLB commissioner, will never do anything about it. The difference in payroll between the Yankees and the Pirates is over $170 million. Naturally, I hate the Yankees and how they are able to outbid every other team(sorry Dave) for any free agent. I hate how $$$ turns into division titles and World Series Championships. These days, a similar emotion is stirred up when I think about the Philadelphia Phillies…
The Phillies clinched their 4th straight NL East on Monday, September 27th by defeating the ligament-torn Nationals 8-0. I would say congratulations, but would you congratulate Dave for buying Velveeta Mac and Cheese? Exactly. The Phillies are starting to buy Division championships like they were yearly AAA Memberships. Very expensive memberships I might add.
When the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, they did it in a respectable way. They used home grown talent(Utley, Howard, Rollins, Hamels), quality free agents(Victorino, Werth) and second chance veterans(Moyer, Lidge) to capture Philadelphia’s first championship in 28 years. Truly a magical season, where all the pieces fit together. Good job Phils!
But after their great playoff run in 2008, the Phillies payroll has skyrocketed:
2008 - $98,269,880
2009 - $113,004,046
2010 - $142,728,379
Since the Phillies won in 2008, they have added pricey free agents to keep their team at an elite level: Roy Halladay at $15.75 million; Roy Oswalt at $15 million; Raul Ibanez over $12 million; Cliff Lee at $9 million; Placido Polanco at $5.17 million.
I never liked the Phillies, but I did respect them for how they formed a championship caliber team without gaudy free agent signings. After this year with Halladay and Oswalt, it is getting ridiculous. What is there left to respect? Jason Werth’s beard?
Everyone hates the Yankees for how they buy out the Free Agent market. The Phillies are following suit.
Hence the birth of the Philankees.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to resist the urge to say "then why don't you just move back to Pittsburgh!", because that would just be juvenile. I am sure there is a legitimate argument against your little tirade, but I can't really offer one because I don't know it. However, I can say, as a Phillies fan, that I am sickened by this post, both physically and emotionally. I mean, seriously, if the Pirates had the means, would you be opposed to them signing "pricey free agents", or would you rather them say "Oh, you know, we're really good, so why don't we pass on the opportunity to make our team better and give our fans a reason to root for us, and let someone else have them". I doubt it, you're just bitter that Phillies fans have a reason to smile and YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT! Maybe. Oh, and your Phillies/Yankees comparison is COMPLETELY uncalled for. It's mean! It's like comparing America to the Nazis (that one's for Dave). So be sensitive, please. And enjoy the postseason!
Yours Truly,
JaYson Werth's Beard
Tim,
ReplyDeleteOf course if I were a Philankees' fan things would be different. But I'm not. I am a Pirates fan that has the lowest payroll in the majors($34 million to the Philankees' $142 million).
For me, the difference in salary cap is unfair. It is like a Division III College Football team competing in the Big Ten. Clearly, a mismatch.
I'm only bitter that there is not parity in Major League Baseball. It would be a much better league if there was.