November 13, 2003
Why we don't need baseball
First of all, don't get me wrong -- I'm a dedicated baseball fan who went to games all the time back home and I'd probably go if they were in Washington, too. Nevertheless, I don't think we should have a professional baseball team here. Look at the Milwaukee Brewers, who bilked the city for a new stadium, slashed the payroll and are usually languishing in the cellar.
The joke about a Republican being a Democrat with a steady job aside, I pay very high taxes to live here. That's OK - living in Virginia or Maryland would just be too depressing and would require me to get up way too early in the morning. I'll pay taxes for services, not for private firms who charge me through the nose for substandard service and support pampered jock lifestyles in the process.
Fans of losing teams always complain that the Yankees spend their way to success, but they spend George Steinbrenner's money, not mine. They play in a 75-year-old stadium without gourmet panini at every concession stand in a rough neighborhood with insuffient parking. Yet they realized the way to make money wasn't to bilk your neighbors, but to field a team people want to see.
Besides, look at yourself, Washington. Half of you are probably wearing a Red Sox or Indians hat right now. Just watch any Yankees game at Tampa Bay during the regular season. You won't have an attachment to the team anyway.
Posted by rj3 at November 13, 2003 8:36 PM
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