Toronto's is about $75.5m this season, with $14m of that going to Bautista. It benefits from having many young stars who are not being paid too highly (Lawrie and Arencibia are both on less than $500k). It amazes me that the Yankees pay almost 200% more than the Blue Jays, yet they are still relatively even in the standings. If you've seen the movie Moneyball, it's a great insight in to how the poorer teams need to manage their rosters in order to compete with the big markets of New York, LA, Philadelphia and Boston.

Here's my source, which is pretty interesting if you want to compare team salaries: http://content.usato...b/salaries/team

Thanks for that team salary's list 'GTG' . Very interesting and I have known a little bit about the descrepencies before . I'll bookmark it and have a good study of it at a later date . That 'free market' which leads to some teams having a money advantage seems unfair but it does make clubs always strive to get bigger and better . What I would find really interesting is the teams that have risen up the 'spend' table . You may know some of these teams off hand ? The Yankees and I'm fairly sure Boston and Philadelphia have always been big spenders .

'Moneyball' was terrific but I would have enjoyed it more if I'd known that 'Brad Pitt' had nailed his part . I didn't like him in it but I've been reliably informed that he got 'Billy Beane' down pat . Were you 'armed' with this info before you'd seen it ?

Edited June 5, 201212 yr by Macca

Thanks for that team salary's list 'GTG' . Very interesting and I have known a little bit about the descrepencies before . I'll bookmark it and have a good study of it at a later date . That 'free market' which leads to some teams having a money advantage seems unfair but it does make clubs always strive to get bigger and better . What I would find really interesting is the teams that have risen up 'spend' table . You may know some of these teams off hand ? The Yankees and I'm fairly sure Boston and Philadelphia have always been big spenders .

'Moneyball' was terrific but I would have enjoyed it more if I'd known that 'Brad Pitt' had nailed his part . I didn't like him in it but I've been reliably informed that he got 'Billy Beane' down pat . Were you 'armed' with this info before you'd seen it ?

To be honest I'm not much of an expert when it comes to the financial discrepancies that exist between different teams in the MLB. It amazes me that the Chicago Cubs can still be so profitable after so many years of futility. I'm happy to see Tampa Bay doing well, given that they are in the hardest division in the MLB and have such a low payroll. It's evidence that you can be successful in rebuilding through the draft and that a good team that work well together can beat teams made up of stars who are perhaps not team players.

I thought Moneyball was so good that I went to see it twice. I particularly liked Jonah Hill's character and his performance. I thought Brad Pitt was quite good, but didn't really know much about Billy Beane before seeing the movie. I'd say it's in the top 5 sports movies that I've seen.

To be honest I'm not much of an expert when it comes to the financial discrepancies that exist between different teams in the MLB. It amazes me that the Chicago Cubs can still be so profitable after so many years of futility. I'm happy to see Tampa Bay doing well, given that they are in the hardest division in the MLB and have such a low payroll. It's evidence that you can be successful in rebuilding through the draft and that a good team that work well together can beat teams made up of stars who are perhaps not team players.

I thought Moneyball was so good that I went to see it twice. I particularly liked Jonah Hill's character and his performance. I thought Brad Pitt was quite good, but didn't really know much about Billy Beane before seeing the movie. I'd say it's in the top 5 sports movies that I've seen.

Nearly all the sporting movies that I've liked have been boxing films , Raging Bull , Million Dollar Baby , Cinderella Man and The Fighter being my favourites and I highly recommend them if you like boxing . Funny enough , I've never seen any of the "Rocky's" ! .

'Eight Men Out' was quite good - the story of the 'fixed' 1919 World Series . Still haven't seen 'The Natural' but it's on the list .

I follow Boston , mainly because I've got a couple of mates that follow them , but I also like St Louis and Philadelphia . It's not like the Demons for me though . I like the sport but much like most other sports that I like , I'm just nowhere near as fanatical .

Edited June 5, 201212 yr by Macca

How could I forget 'Slapshot' with those Hansen brothers - classic . 'Any Given Sunday' was a top movie as well .

All the sporting movies that I've liked have been boxing films , Raging Bull , Million Dollar Baby , Cinderella Man and The Fighter being my favourites and I highly recommend them if you like boxing . Funny enough , I've never seen any of the "Rocky's" ! .

Eight Men out was quite good - the story of the 'fixed' 1919 World Series . Still haven't seen 'The Natural' but it's on the list .

I follow Boston , mainly because I've got a couple of mates that follow them , but I also like St Louis and Philadelphia . It's not like the Demons for me though . I like the sport but much like most other sports that I like , I'm just nowhere near as fanatical .

Yeah, I'd agree that many boxing movies would be near the top of my list...probably The Fighter taking the cake. Like you, I also haven't seen any of the Rocky movies haha.

I loved watching St Louis's run towards the end of last season, finishing with that fantastic World Series. I also enjoy watching Philly when Halladay is pitching. He's one of my all-time favourite athletes and will go down as one of the greatest ever pitchers. I struggle to support any team other than Toronto, though, and it's nice watching a young team on the rise.

How could I forget 'Slapshot' with those Hansen brothers - classic . 'Any Given Sunday' was a top movie as well .

The Maple Leafs signed one of the Hansen brothers' sons a couple of seasons ago. He failed to have much of an impact and was released at the end of last season. I think he might be playing for Carolina now.

No love for The Mighty Ducks?

The White Sox have got on quite a role after quite a start. Perhaps it shows the benefit of not heaping a mountain of pressure onto yourselves.

Boston are above 500!

But the injuries won't let up!

Watch out in the last third of the season - we will win about 40 games...

Boston are above 500!

But the injuries won't let up!

Watch out in the last third of the season - we will win about 40 games...

The way things are going we might have to !

At this early stage it's wide open - any number of 8 teams can make the playoffs .

Matt Cain threw the first perfect game in Giants history and the 22nd of all time last night... 2 this season already!

Matt Cain threw the first perfect game in Giants history and the 22nd of all time last night... 2 this season already!

Hey 'GTG' , pardon my ignorance but what is the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game ? Is it simply that in a perfect game , nobody gets to 1st base in any way ? Does an error effect a perfect game ?

By the way , it seems in part , in the post 'roids , HGH and EPO era , scoring and especially home runs has dropped .

Edited June 16, 201212 yr by Macca

27 up 27 down.

Who was the bloke who threw the 28, 28 down game? Think he was a Detroit player? On the 27th batter, thrown out at first but called safe.

I'll look up home runs, not sure if it's true bit will have a look. Global warming perhaps?

27 up 27 down.

Who was the bloke who threw the 28, 28 down game? Think he was a Detroit player? On the 27th batter, thrown out at first but called safe.

I'll look up home runs, not sure if it's true bit will have a look. Global warming perhaps?

Ha ! I vaguely remember hearing a few months ago that overall 'hits' and 'home runs' had decreased in numbers since the late 1990's and early to mid 2000's . Hard to find actual figures but there is a bit of talk in the States that scoring is now lower and pitching 'era's' are lower as well .

They say that low scoring games are great for the people at the games but not so much for the tv audience . I tend to get really interested during the playoffs but will watch the odd regular season game . Red Sox / Yankees games get my attention .

Like the Red Sox , those White Sox need to get on a winning streak .

We've just come off an 8 (?) game winning streak. Lost the last few though, need to get back to winning ways against the Dodgers.

With about 20 games to go its looking like Washington , Cincinnati and San Francisco should get through in the National League . There are still 7 or 8 wild-card chances in the NL though , including last years World Series winner , St Louis . Philadelphia are also making a late run . Other teams with chances of advancing are Atlanta , Pittsburgh , Milwaukee , the LA Dodgers , Arizona and San Diego .

Over in the American League it's a lottery . There are still 8 teams with realistic chances to advance . The Yankees and Baltimore are having a great battle with Tampa Bay close behind . The White Sox have a narrow lead over Detroit and Texas are locked in a tussle with Oakland and the LA Angels are not far off .

Remembering there are an extra 2 wild-card spots this season . Both wild-card teams in each league will play a 'One off' elimination game . The date for both these elimination games is Fri, Oct 5 (Sat, Oct 6 AEST) .

Here are the standings ... http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings

Edited September 14, 201212 yr by Macca

27 up 27 down.

Who was the bloke who threw the 28, 28 down game? Think he was a Detroit player? On the 27th batter, thrown out at first but called safe.

I'll look up home runs, not sure if it's true bit will have a look. Global warming perhaps?

A few months late on the response, but it was Armando Galaragga. This is the best footage of it I could find, since the MLB removes almost all footage put onto YouTube.

Well it's all settled .

The AL division winners are the Yankees , Detroit and Oakland whilst the NL division winners are Washington , Cincinnati and San Francisco . The 2 wild-cards from each league are Baltimore and Texas (AL) and St Louis and Atlanta (NL)

The 2 wild-cards from each league will play a one-off game to decide who advances to the divisional playoffs . Both games are on Saturday (our time) with the first game being St Louis at Atlanta (7.00 AM) followed by Baltimore at Texas (10.30 AM) . Both games are on Fox1 . OneHD might be covering the games as well though their scheduling is a bit haphazard !

The divisional playoffs kickoff on Sunday (our time) with Oakland at Detroit and Cincinnati at San Francisco .

On Monday (our time) the Yankees start their campaign at either Baltimore or Texas whilst Washington play their 1st game at St Louis or Atlanta .

Higher placed seeded teams play away for the 1st 2 games of the best of 5 divisional playoffs , whilst playing their last 3 games at home .

Great to see Oakland make it through . Washington and Baltimore are 2 other teams that have done very well this year .

Edited October 4, 201212 yr by Macca

No mention of Miguel Cabrera? Really? First bloke in 45 years to win the triple crown, 15th of all time. Amazing achievement and has been pretty exciting to follow in recent weeks.

No mention of Miguel Cabrera? Really? First bloke in 45 years to win the triple crown, 15th of all time. Amazing achievement and has been pretty exciting to follow in recent weeks.

It's all about the team, HG

No , seriously , it was a fine achievement by Cabrera .

What the hell happened to your White Sox ? My Red Sox had a shocker 161 million for very little return ...

It's all about the team, HG

No , seriously , it was a fine achievement by Cabrera .

What the hell happened to your White Sox ? My Red Sox had a shocker 161 million for very little return ...

Yep - just fell in a heap. 3-11 at the home stretch. Killed us. We did well to be in that position but lost form at the wrong moment, didn't deserve to make the playoffs as a result.

Pumped for Oakland (as much because I dislike Texas).

12 games back at the end of June - head of their division for one game and it's the end of game 162. Amazing. Oakland - The Anti-White Sox.

Bobby Valentine gone ! It's been an awful year for the Red Sox ...

Looks like Foxtel are covering all or most of the playoffs but OneHD may only be replaying the games (one day later?) .

Anyway , for those without Foxtel , ESPN Radio will broadcast live coverage of all the playoffs .

Here's a link ... http://espn.go.com/espnradio/

Schedule for the first 2 days ..... All times AEST...

Saturday, October 6 (One-off elimination games)

7.00 AM St Louis at Atlanta

10.30 AM Baltimore at Texas

Sunday, October 7 (1st games of the Divisional playoffs)

9.00 AM Oakland at Detroit

12.30 PM Cincinnati at San Francisco

Edited October 5, 201212 yr by Macca

Oakland Athletics!!! Yyyeeewwww looking resplendant in the Aussie green and gold winning the West!!! Amazing for the lowest payrolled team in baseball!!! Can they keep the momentum/team play/pitching/some form of scoring up?!

St Louis win the first "one-game playoff" at Atlanta in a highly controversial game with an in field fly ruled in the 8th with Atlanta trying to rally back.

Mind you, if your team has an unlucky loss and you respond by throwing rubbish onto the field, you don't deserve the win as a fan in the first place IMO - especially onto your own field!

What the.....

Certainly a controversial call . That did not appear to be a deliberate 'No attempt' (so to speak) . It was a late call as well .

Considering it was the first ever 'One-off' elimination wild-card game , that call will definitely be remembered for the wrong reasons . Anyway ....St Louis advance and will now meet Washington at home on Monday (AEST)

Here's the 'Wiki' explanation ...

http://en.wikipedia....nfield_fly_rule

Edited October 6, 201212 yr by Macca