[rsox]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Being from a large market team, I wouldn't think you would. Do you know how hard it is to compete with a $20 million dollar payroll? That was the payroll of Seligs last year as an owner. I wouldn't think a Red Sox fan could comprehend that. It's not about how many pennants or WS Selig brought the Brewers, it's was his will to keep the team in Milwaukee after having it ripped away from the city of Milwaukee in the 60's. I wouldn't expect anyone outside of a small market team to understand or comprehend it. Now, with revenue sharing, (thanks to Selig the commish), the Brewers are able to compete with an $80 million payroll. I know people are upset with Selig the commish, including myself, but Selig the owner kept the Brewers in a small market for 28 yrs.

First of all just because i am from Boston and Red Sox fan does not mean i don't understand how hard it is for small market teams to compete. The A's of the early 2000's and the Twins to this day are model examples for small market success. So please don't tell me what i can and cannot comprehend.

As for competing with a $20 million dollar payroll; perhaps you need to redifine your meaning of the word. They played with a $20 million dollar payroll (as have the Marlins and the Pirates) but they did not compete. They had 12 seasons finishing 20 or more games behind in their division, 17 finishing at least 15 games behind, 19 finishing at least 11 games behind, and in all that only had a winning record twice in a season finishing in double digits behind in their division. Interestingly, in 1990 the Brewers had the ninth highest payroll in baseball and still finished 14 games back in the AL East

He may have brought baseball back to Milwaukee, he may have had the will to keep them there against all odds and all the kudos in the world to him for it. But that doesn't make him a great owner.