I think the best way for the American Economy to improve is for the Chicago Cubs to win the 2006 Major League Baseball World Series. I believe that if the Cubs win the World Series, it would help the American economy in many ways and here is how it would help the economy;\n\nThe Cubs winning the World Series would help the economy because the merchandise that says “World Series Champions” would sell out quickly and more merchandise would have to be made in a short amount of time and baseball fans from all over the world would purchase the merchandise and who make merchandise for Major League Baseball would make a big profit that year\n\nThe Cubs just in the World Series would increase the ratings of the World Series on television and if the Cubs win the game, it will probably be the most watch event in 2006 and the greatest sporting event of the 21st Century.
136203
I think at this moment in time, anything can improve the economy.  I can't even imagine it going downhill from here.  It has gotten so bad in some parts, the only place to look is up.  I think the only thing that can bring the economy down is shipping off millions of immigrants who take the jobs that most native citizens couldn't afford to take anyway.
346425
I know it's been discussed by others, but I think the relationship between spending and winning would be a good topic, or the impact that revenue sharing has had on the ability of teams to spend in smaller markets.\n\nIf you're looking for data, I'd suggest checking out SABR's Business of Baseball Committee site.\n\nhttp://www.businessofbaseball.com/\n\nOh, there's something I'd like to see - an examination of the impact that arbitration has had on salaries, and whether it serves as essentially restricted free agency for those with 3-5 years of service.  I suspect that it does, but it would be interesting to see its development over the past thirty years.
129824
It's not the players, it's the owners who should be paying.  The problem is that there are more cities who want MLB teams than there are teams, so when an owner wants to build a stadium, they can extort money from the local government by threatening to move the team out of the area.  \n\nIt is true that MLB teams contribute to the local economy by providing jobs and increasing revenue in surrounding businesses, but the local governments need to make sure that they're getting a decent return on the investment.\n\nThe whole stadium-building race is being driven by luxury boxes leased to corporations.  In baseball, where revenue sharing among teams is minimal, a team that doesn't maximize its revenue is at a competitive disadvantage.
95892
I think you're right. I also think it will never happen: Too much cash tied up in the brand.  It started in the early 1900's when Americans were the only people on the planet playing baseball, and so were literally WORLD champs.
300933
Pitching is why the Cubs are losing. They have plenty of offense and play in an offensive haven called Wrigly field. Look at the scores of the last few days. 10-3 9-5 and 4-3, the only close game was teh 4-3. It was also the only game when the Cub's pitchers didn't get bombed. These losses were to the Padres and Giants, these are not exactly offensive powerhouse teams. \n\nMaddux is 5-3 with a good ERA. Thats one good pitcher. Looks like Zambrino has been ripped off by the relief staff, 1-2 with a 3.88 ERA means he lost a few Wins because of relief. The rest of the staff is stinking up the rotation or is batting practice for other teams. Teams win and lose by pitching. \n\nAs for Derek Lee he's not even having a great year. .318 with 3 HRs and 10 RBI aint much. It's true the Cubs are hurting for offense. When Todd Walker is playing first base you know they need some more hitting. All the hitting in the world doesn't make up for bad pitching as the Rangers have proven season after season.
285226
Although the A's are in a rather large market they are a small market team because of there low income. They have a lot of things working against them. There stadium sucks, they have to share the market with the Giants, and there is a general lack of interest in baseball in Oakland. Those things would all help a team make money if people went to the games but no one goes. They had the 12th worst attendance last year despite having one of the largest stadiums. They also have owners who arent willing to shell out there own money to help the team. Combine that with a crappy tv deal and the A's dont make much money at all. According to Forbes.com they had the 7th lowest revenue in baseball.
318057
i think the bluejays are doing quite good this year. They have like 7 or 8 comeback wins already. The power in wells and glaus are really impressive (clutch power that is). Pitching has not been as good as advertised. I just dont trust Burnett, and Towers I think the league has figured him out. The bullpen is doing great with Ryan and Speier.\nHitting is getting us wins so far. But we cant rely on it much longer. Cause we're going to get cold, pitching needs to step it up.
473247
The Yankees also pay the most in revenue sharing.  I agree that some other team's owners are not putting the money they earn back into the team.  And the team with the biggest payroll does not always win the World Series.  It increases the team's odds of making it to the post season but I would rather have a team with good players, chemistry, and a strong-will to win rather than a team of high-priced superstars that can't seem to win for the glory of the game.\n\nTwo good articles are attached:
103238
I think they have improved their hitting and leadoff spot which has been hurting them for years now. I wish they'd either get rid of Kerry Wood or move him to the bullpen. But I think they'll have a solid bullpen this year which was killing them last year. Oh, and watch for them to manufacture runs with Pierre and Hairston batting 1 and 2. I don't think they'll rely so heavily on the homerun ball this year. Don't give up on this season even if they start slow. We want them to peak at the end of the season. Yes, I bleed blue. White Suks!!!! Go Cubs!!!!
535308
Ok,first the cardinals have won more games than any other team since the year 2000,658 to be exact thats 94 a year.to say they got lucky is like saying the same thing about the bosox in 04 or the astros in 05. Finally winning a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is the icing on the cake. yes the Tigers didn't play up to there potiential but that showes just how hard it is to Win a WS,I'm sure they will be back and maybe the ball will bounce there way next time. It takes more than being the best team to Win,sometimes you have to get the breaks,and then captilize on those breaks,which the Birds on the Bat did.All of CARDINAL nation have been waiting 24 years for this and no matter what anybody else says THE BIRDS ON THE BAT are the BEST team in Baseball for the year 2006
499498
There's already been a lot of speculation about a new franchise starting up, or moving to Las Vegas.  While I live in NJ, Las Vegas is the perfect spot for a major league team.  There is a booming population there and they would have plenty of filled seats from hotels buying packages of seats and giving them to their high rollers.  From a business standpoint, it is the best possible option.
628705
The White Sox are a refined baseball team who's fans care about winning and losing...the Cubs need new leadership, on the field and off all their fans care about is talking on their cell phones and getting drunk. Hey don't these people have jobs to go to??
649149
When you hear the economy is doing good, is not the whole truth.\nYes, the economy is doing good for those in the stock market which is mostly the top 5% of people.Sometimes you will hear that job growth went up but look at the kind of jobs created, low paying service jobs. Inflation is not all its cracked up to be, they don`t figure energy cost like gas for cars and homes or food cost. Last year the world for the first time ever consumed more grain then we produced so look for food cost to rise. The American dollars worth has dropped 12% from 2002. If China wanted to invade a country by them all they would have to do to stop the U.S. is to call up the notes we owe them. I never seen a republican president spend so much money or expand that much government
113676
I'm not sure about the "best" team in baseball. But I do believe they will win The World Series this year.
291223
Historically poor management, coupled with a psychology of failure derived from years of losing. That is why Baker is a great manager for the Cubs. He is always positive and reenforcing. He is not the most technically skilled manager, but he is what the franchise needs as a manager.\n\nTake away Pujols, Carpenter and Mulder, or Konerko, Buerhle and Garcia, and see how good a manager LaRussa or Guillen would be.\n\nIf anyone is to blame currently, it is the GM Hendry who supplied the roster of mainly under-achieving players. Furthermore, in case no one noticed, this is the first year in many that the CUbs have tried switching to a speed, defense and pitching team. It was working, too, even without Prior and Wood, until Lee went down. Let's see what happens when he gets healthy. They probably won't win it this year, but they will give other teams a very hard time.
481837
Win-Win situation.\n\nThe Yankees get rid of a 38 year old outfielder they had no use for. They also pick up much needed pitching help.\n\nThe Tigers pick up a desperately needed bat. Shef also has a history of performing very well in the playoffs, something the Tigers could have used in the World Series. In return they give up pitching, something they already have a lot of depth in.\n\nBoth teams win, the rest of baseball loses.
38375
well it could be worse, you could be a cubs fan!\n\ni think as long as they keep the mazzone/cox pitching connection together, keep the youngsters (john francoeur---where did they GET that guy?) who can play to plug the holes, and have sound defense from andruw jones in center, they'll be okay.  the fish and the phils won't be much of a threat to them in 2006, i'd expect to hear the tomahawk chop again in october.  \n\n...ever again?  oh yeah!\n\nps:: i was not aware about mazzone.  sorry.