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Date Posted: 05:19:33 11/07/01 Wed
Author: Danny
Subject: Re: Contraction
In reply to: weas 's message, "Contraction" on 22:12:06 11/06/01 Tue

Before we get into the "why the twins, why not the d-ray's" debate, there are a few things I have heard in that regard that may shed some light on them. They aren't all known as fact, just things I have heard.
The Tampa Bay Double A's would seem to be the obvious choice for expulsion from the league. But they have a longer commitment to their piece-o-crap stadium than the Twins, who have just one more year left on their lease. Also the Rays are further in debt.
The main reason that the Twins have been dealt into the contraction issue is that they want to be. Maybe not the whole organization, but their owner, Carl Pohlad, wants them to be contracted. The biggest reason is money. The 250 million he is going to get from MLB to fold his team is probably twice what he could get for selling the team.
The state of Minnesota isnt as stingy as they are made out to be. They tried to work with Pohlad to get a new stadium built. But he wanted a really sweetheart deal, one like the Stars and Mavs enjoy here in Dallas, where they get a piece of everything that happens in the arena. So I guess he didn't want to pour his money into his business.
These wheels may have been set in motion 4 or 5 years ago. In fact, I heard one person speculate that the league knew that contraction would be needed back when they let the latest two teams into the fold, but looked at it like this. They get 500 million bucks combined, then 5 years later they pay that same 500 million to two other teams to disband. Thats a large interest free loan. Which would mean that Pohlad has had plenty of time and his own secret bargaining chip. If he knew this was in the works and knew he could use his clout (he is said to be a big player in league issues), to get his team in line to be folded, why should he cow-tow to the state?
Personally, I am not in favor of contraction. I think it makes baseball look stupid and weak. I don't like the idea that the Twins, who's legacy isn't only in Minnesota, but all the way back to the Washington Senators. So in a way, this is doing away with one of the American League's original teams. I also don't want Pohlad to get anything positive out of this. That miserable bastard is what is wrong with baseball. While I would be happy to see him out of baseball, I am sickened by the idea that he is getting his way. The man is a billionair and in his 80's.... how much does he REALLY need that money? How about spending a little money and giving the people of that god forsaken state something to cheer for?
I'm going to bed now, Danny out

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