Very nice Aaron. As you know, I am a Yankee fan, but I still think it sucks that they just outbid everyone for players. And what did it get them anyway? When they were winning WS in the mid 90s, their core players came from within. Since then they have been a huge post-season disappointment after signing mega contract after mega contract (just like in the 80s). And I hate they will end up with Sabathia AND Sheets (and I think they will). Baseball needs to do something. In addition to salaries that "something" needs to include bringing kids back to the game. Starting post season games after 10:00 PM is a joke and Selig is a joke for thinking he's not losing the next generation of fans. Just look at all the Aaron Rodgers jerseys on kids in GB. You said it yourself - the next generation needs their heroes. That won't happen in baseball. Sad

You know I disagree with you when it comes to baseball and I could point to many small-mid market teams that compete. I could also point out how the Yankees won all those World Series's with a predominantly home grown nucleus, and their other key additions were minor trades. But I won't get into that.

However, I understand how baseball wouldn't be a whole lot of fun for fans of the Brewers, Royals, or Pirates.

A Yankee fan and a Packer fan.

I thought I'd seen it all.

You don't need to try and placate anyone by saying you hate the fact they will get CC and Sheets. You'd have to the hate the Yankees M.O. for years if that was the case.

F.H.
Not placating anyone. I'm too old for that & frankly stopped caring what people think about my fandom a long time ago.
Grew up in Northeastern PA in the 60s and started following the Yankees and Knicks because I could get games on the radio, and the Packers because they were the only team on our TV (that got three channels). Been a fan of all three since.
I HAVE hated the Steinbrenners, but the 3 WS in the mid-late 90s came from Jeter, Pettitte, Posada, Rivera - in other words "homegrown" so that made it tolerable. I can hate the MO but not the team and some of the players.
The fact is I watch very little baseball anymore, but there is a lot of history there, just like the Packers, and I continually hope baseball will wise up soon

Aaron - our stories are similar in regard the Brewers and I am sure our stories are shared by thousands of fans. I grew listening the Brewers on radio. I think I about listened to every game in the summer of 1987. My interest slowly wained as they went on to suck for 20 years and as I grew up I realized the joke that is MLB. The Brewers had a decent team this year and I think I watched two games. I guess I consider myself a Brewer fan but I just don't care anymore and probably won't until MLB gets a business model that doesn't put half the teams in a competitive disadvantage.

I'm just clowning Atlanta. I'm a Packer fan and Twins fan. People question that all the time.

I just get a little frustrated with the richest owner in baseball (Carl Pohlad) treating his team like a business and not spending god-awful amounts of money on free agents, all the while watching other teams do it. I would like to win a WS again before I'm too disillusioned to care.

It's funny how we both view this. I've burned myself out on trying to justify the small-market Twins as an example of a great organization, now I just want to win. You're telling me you want the Yankees to use the Twins method of doing things? The New York Red Sox and Boston Yankees will never do that. They've made their beds out of $100 bills and now have to sleep in them.

Who started this baseball talk? 'tis the season, what with meaningless December football.

It is funny FH. You brought up a good point that I just realized - I think a small part of the reason I am so passionate about my teams is I don't want to give up the hatred I have for the Red Sox, Celtics, Vikings and Bears (and Cowboys!). It's too deep in my DNA after all these years. I've tried to root for the Falcons and Braves in Atlanta, but there just isn't that sense of hatred & drama. It's too vanilla.
Anyway, it's all good man. Hope the Twinkies have a good season (get rid of the Hefty bag in the outfield tho)

Thanks, Andrew, Twins have one more year in the Dome and can then disassociate ourselves with our connection to the stinking Vikings. It's ironic that the Twins stadium deal has sealed the Vikings fate in regards to them getting a new stadium. No more public funding for stadiums! Could push the Queens right out of town! Ha, ha. Hmmm...then who would I hate?

I kinda hope the Vikings never leave. There's too much history with the Pack. Kind of like when we lost Tampa as a rival. I miss the Favre/Sapp helmet slapping fights twice a year.

And despite all the hand wringing, the World Series was decided between the PHILLIES AND DEVIL RAYS.

Geez you're cranky today :(

As a Twins fan (who as a good Wisconsinite is sympathetic to the Brewers), I totally agree with the post. It disgusted me this am to read that CC was signing with the Yankees. I do always tell people that I cheer for Twins and former Twins because of the whole small town market, can't keep good players thing.

Seeing I was born in Milwaukee in 69. I grew up near the ugliest stadium know to man Milwaukee County Stadium. What a eyesore let me tell ya.
I was lucky enough when I was a kid be in the bleachers seeing Hark Aaron hit a few of his 755 homeruns. The teams of the late 70`s and early 80`s were the best. Listening to Uecker on the radio and then have him disappear for a few innings to go get drunk and come back and finish the game. Who could forget names like Sixto Lezcano and Don Money?

Well, Mets now have JJ Putz and K-Rod at the back end of their bullpen. I am so pumped for this season.

(Sorry Aaron)