First to Third: Money Often Costs Too Much

At this time last year, the Detroit Tigers had basically clinched themselves a spot in the 2008 World Series with the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins. Rumors even suggest that the city of Detroit had already begun to plan its victory parade.

Not so fast. While the Tigers were winning it all on paper, they lost it all on the field, dropping an AL Central-worst 88 games. That's right, worse than the dreadful Royals. What makes it worse for the Tigers is that yesterday they were sent a bill from the commissioner's office for $1.3 million dollars as a luxury tax for their $160.8 million payroll in '08. 88 losses really is some luxury, isn't it?

What teams like the Tigers, Yankees, and [insert other $120 million plus payroll teams here] fail to realize is that in baseball, you can't buy a championship. In the 2008 World Series, the one that was supposed to be played in Detroit, the Rays and their $43 million payroll represented the American League in the Fall Classic while the Phillies ($98 million) won it all. Combined, their payroll didn't touch Detroit's, not bad considering the Yankees and Tigers paid a combined $383 on payroll to spend October at home.

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