I can't speak for Drayton McLane, but Houston needed one. The Dome (Lord rest her soul) was a dump. And, let's all remind ourselves which taxes are funding the stadiums. The outcry, "taxpayer funded!" sounds like property and school taxes are being garnished for entertainment venues, and that is so inaccurate.
...and why are we arbitrarily limiting it to "ahead of Houston"? If I remember correctly, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Cincinnatti, Washington (iirc), San Diego, NYY, NYM, Seattle, San Francisco, Arizona, Atlanta, and Philadelphia all are in stadiums built in the last 10 years. Not to mention Baltimore, Cleveland, and Texas just over 10 years ago. That may not be precisely 50%, but it's quite a few.
I sort of agree. MMP is great and, by all accounts, a great revenue source for the Astros. Which backs up my originial point that the Astros are, because of revenue, in a better long-term financial situation than the Twins are in. But maybe i'm wrong. I would love to see the rest of your argument (besides media markets--which houston is still ahead of minnesota in) against this. Keeping an open mind...
Oooohhhhh, I am in no position to comment on the Astros' financial position versus the Twins--none whatsoever. I only disagreed with the one contention that "Houston is one of the top media markets in baseball," which is simply incorrect. I've got no problem with the other. Sorry!
Fair enough. I misspoke. No evidence, but I believe, despite (?) their media market that they have one of the larger revenue streams in baseball. Which in turn positions them in a better long-term situation than Minnesota (or many other teams).
That I'd be really curious about. It seems people assume that because McLane is himself among the richest men in America--but those are two entirely separate things! Lessee, attendance was good, that helps. Media's only going to generate average-to-slightly-above-average, but that at least puts them better than Minnesota. I don't see the Astros setting the world on fire in terms of jersey sales. But, again, I don't know enough about this to offer an informed commentary.
My guess is the Astros are fairly even in terms of media with respect to Minnesota. Essentially the entire state of Minnesota is Twins land (although the entire state population is relatively comparable with Houston). Minnesota also pulls in the Dakotas and Iowa which is probably close to the Louisiana markets Houston pulls in. For what it's worth, in the 2008 Forbes report, Carl Pohlad (RIP) was number 102 and McLane was number 301.
when comparing the franchises, it's a point in minnesota's favor; nothing more. if they haven't been quite as good as the astros in the past 12 years, they also don't have the same resources to keep bagwell/biggio together for 14 years, trade for a randy johnson or carlos beltran, sign a jeff kent, etc.
not really assuming that based on McLane's net worth. More due to Forbes 463 million dollar franchise evaulation (McLane has a ~450% ROI since he bought the team) and their $ 193 million revenue last year. Minnesota was valued at 328 mill with a $149,000,000 revenue.
i hear ya. it shows good management. but as a fan, i could not care less. if the astros management stumbles and fumbles its way to the WS, i'm good with it! but the twins would have had enough for the randy johnson/carlos beltran trades, right? certainly not the money to attract free agents..but definitely prospects to trade.
Didn't say you were, but that I've seen many do it. Sure the franchise (like just about every franchise) is worth tons more than almost 20 years ago, but true to good ol' inflation everything else has skyrocketed, too--especially player salaries.
From that article: 1. Pettitte believes that the Yankees should display more appreciation for all that he has done for them. 2. While the Yankees are asking that Pettitte take a pay cut, the team clearly is not hurting financially, given its large investments in Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. 3. Pettitte thinks that his 2008 season wasn't as bad as the Yankees are making it out to be. Though Pettitte is popular among teammates, fans and media, emotional breakups play a significant role in his biography. He left the Yankees for Houston after the 2003 season, feeling jilted by the team that drafted him. And he returned to the Yankees after the 2006 campaign, feeling that the Astros didn't display much interest in bringing him back. In fact, Pettitte still harbored bad feelings against the Astros heading into this offseason, and he very much wanted to be part of the Yankees as they opened their new stadium. Now, however, the Yankees seem to head Pettitte's enemies list. Dude is a fickle little junior-high little girl. If he can't spin his sub-4.00 like he used to, then no freaking thanks. Sissy baby.
Can the Astros really compete for a championship in '09? If not, there's no point in signing Pettitte.
you're basically asking if they can compete for a playoff spot... and if we get a legit #2...that opportunity becomes a distinct possibility at least. Probably worth pursuing, assuming Andy can post, as msn said, something south of 4.00
