We should give some thought to this...

[Dojji]

By demographics, Boston is only like the 10th richest baseball market, and in terms of population it's less than that.

 

Overall economics dictate that without brilliant work by the ownership and front office, to say nothing of the rabidity of Red Sox fans, this team should be sustaining about half the payroll it is in fact sustaining.

 

I bring this up because some day, this franchise will be mismanaged, instead of managed at a brilliantly elite level as it's been over the last decade or so. Or some day ownership will lose the ability to finance an absurd payroll. And the difference will be very easy to spot.

 

I don't think we'll ever be a poor team per se, but if Henry gets tired of losing money, or his heirs do, and insist that the Red Sox pay for themselves, we'll feel the difference. If the front office loses their feel for the pulse of the Nation, we'll feel the difference. We aren't always going to be able to keep up with the Yankees, and should appreciate it all the more when it happens for the times when it won't.

 

Basically, this is a decade long summertime for the Sox. We always should be a good team, and we're at the zenith of our strength right now. But sustaining being one of the 2 best teams in the league in the league is a stretch we're managing because of great franchise leadership -- not good, great. So love it while it lasts. One day it will not be here.

[Palodios]

I think there are a few things that make it possible. Boston is thriving in technology and pharmaceutical industries even through a recession, so there is more money to be spent at games.

 

Boston (and New England in general) also has a ton of high level private colleges, which means that people come into the city for school, turn into a Sox fan, and leave the area after they graduate-- staying a sox fan. And despite so many schools, Boston College is really the only big football team that anyone cares about, and UCONN is the closest thing New England has to a big basketball team.

 

Its also probably worth noting that the richest two baseball cities-- New York and L.A. have two teams. You should also note that several of the most populated cities are in very warm places that probably have far more oppressive weather throughout the summer-- San Diego, Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, which probably affects attendance. Summer in Boston is not so bad.

[Jwmann2]

Quit focusing on the finances! You've got a team in first place. EpStein knows what he is doing!

[Emmz]

By demographics, Boston is only like the 10th richest baseball market, and in terms of population it's less than that.

 

Overall economics dictate that without brilliant work by the ownership and front office, to say nothing of the rabidity of Red Sox fans, this team should be sustaining about half the payroll it is in fact sustaining.

 

I bring this up because some day, this franchise will be mismanaged, instead of managed at a brilliantly elite level as it's been over the last decade or so. Or some day ownership will lose the ability to finance an absurd payroll. And the difference will be very easy to spot.

 

I don't think we'll ever be a poor team per se, but if Henry gets tired of losing money, or his heirs do, and insist that the Red Sox pay for themselves, we'll feel the difference. If the front office loses their feel for the pulse of the Nation, we'll feel the difference. We aren't always going to be able to keep up with the Yankees, and should appreciate it all the more when it happens for the times when it won't.

 

Basically, this is a decade long summertime for the Sox. We always should be a good team, and we're at the zenith of our strength right now. But sustaining being one of the 2 best teams in the league in the league is a stretch we're managing because of great franchise leadership -- not good, great. So love it while it lasts. One day it will not be here.

 

Oh gee, billionaires don't know how to manage their dang money properly.

[redsoxbeatz]

and UCONN is the closest thing New England has to a big basketball team.

 

Are the Celtics not a big team? Didn't we beat the Lakers a few years ago in the Championship?

[Emmz]

I think he was speaking of collegiate teams there.

[Palodios]

Are the Celtics not a big team? Didn't we beat the Lakers a few years ago in the Championship?

 

Context my friend, context.

 

By your logic, I also dissed the New England Patriots in the same sentence:lol:

 

There just aren't any good college sports franchises around the northeast, that's what I was trying to get at.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Context my friend, context.

 

By your logic, I also dissed the New England Patriots in the same sentence:lol:

 

There just aren't any good college sports franchises around the northeast, that's what I was trying to get at.

 

Uum, BU, UNH, U Maine in college hockey.

[Dojji]

Haven't you heard? Hockey isn't a sport.

 

My only point is that we should give some credit to the current ownership group. Hands up anyone who was a fan before 2003. You people know exactly what I'm talking about.

[Palodios]

Uum' date=' BU, UNH, U Maine in college hockey.[/quote']

 

The fanbase for college hockey isn't even close to the fanbase for college football/basketball. I've honestly haven't even heard of anyone talking about BU's hockey team in years.

[Ravenous916]

Wow. When you can't enjoy the good times, that probably means you are depressed.