The Captain's Blog

Almost 28% of all major leaguers on Opening Day active rosters and disabled lists were born outside the United States, according to the latest census of players released by Major League Baseball. In total, 231 of the 833 players were foreign born, the largest percentage of which hailed from the Dominican Republic (86), Venezuela (58) and Puerto Rico (21). Since 1980, the number of foreign born players has jumped from 11%. Over the span, the number of players from Venezuela increased the most, rising exponentially from less than 1%, while the number of Dominicans more than tripled.

MLB’s growing diversity has become a real asset to the game. With nearly 50% of all minor leaguers also foreign born (representing an amazing 43 countries and territories), this is a trend that should continue over the near term. Having said that, there are some red flags.

Interestingly, the number of players hailing from Puerto Rico has slowly declined since peaking at 54 in 2000. Starting in1989, players born in Puerto Rico have been subject to the Rule IV Amateur Draft, so the delayed impact of that change could very well be the reason for this downward trend.  That’s something to consider for those who advocate the institution of an international draft. Even amid increased competition for athletes in a growing domestic sports landscape, MLB has been able to improve upon its talent base by a tapping into international players. However, the implementation of a draft structure that discourages the development and recruitment of foreign born players could wind up having a serious detrimental impact on the quality of play.

Then again, the Mets boast the most foreign-born players (18), and that doesn’t seem to be working out too well. Although not as diverse as their cross-town rivals, the Yankees active roster consists of 8 foreign-born players (36%) from six different countries/territories (see accompanying graphic). Extended to the 40-man roster, the Yankees’ international composition increases to 17 players (45%) from seven different countries/territories.

Just in case anyone wasn’t aware that the Yankees have won 27 World Series, the team announced today that in addition to unveiling the 2009 championship flag on Opening Day, it will also be exhibiting flags commemorating each of the other 26. The press release did not state whether the flags being exhibited are the originals or recreations. While on a tour of the old Stadium back in 2007, the guide mentioned that all of the older championship flags had been re-discovered in a storage location, and were being sent for restoration. The original plan was to have all 26 flags ring the stadium on the opening of the new ballpark last season, but apparently the restoration wasn’t complete. Could they be ready now? It was disappointing when last year’s home opener didn’t include all 26 championship flags, but they’ll probably look better as a group of 27.

The Yankees plan on exhibiting all 27 of the team's championship flags, including this one from 1932.

Apparently, long-time umpire and part-time country singer Joe West isn’t happy with the pace at which the Yankees and Red Sox play. The Cowboy went so far as to call both teams a “disgrace”. West’s criticisms, which were quoted extensively by the Bergen Record, included the following:

“They’re the two clubs that don’t try to pick up the pace,” said West, chief of the umpiring crew that worked the three-game series in Boston. He was the home plate umpire Sunday. “They’re two of the best teams in baseball. Why are they playing the slowest?

“It’s pathetic and embarrassing. They take too long to play.”

Umpire Joe West isn't happy with the pace of Yankee/Red Sox games.

All things considered, West is probably right. Both teams could speed up the pace a little, but calling them embarrassing is an extreme overreaction. Yankee-Red Sox is MLB’s marquee matchup, so you have wonder how Bud Selig feels about one of his top umpires being so openly critical?

Putting aside the validity of the argument, the more interesting question is why is Joe West taking it upon himself to express his complaints in the press? If a baseball player or manager referred to the umpires in such a manner (as we saw last post season, they would have plenty of opportunities to do so), they’d be fined and perhaps even suspended. Joe West, or any umpire for that matter, should be held to the same standard. It will be interesting to see how MLB responds to West’s outburst.

Also, aside from the embarrassment of having an official criticize two entire teams, the statements also raise the question of whether West can fairly officiate at Yankee and/or Red Sox games? West has always been thought of as an umpire who could hold a grudge, so if I am the Yankees or Red Sox, I’d definitely have some doubt in the back of my mind.

Forbes has released its annual estimate of major league baseball franchise financials, and the Yankees once again sit atop the list. Thanks to the opening of the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees franchise value jumped 7% to $1.6bn, or nearly twice the value of the next highest team and a shade below the value of the Mets and Red Sox combined. The Yankees also saw revenue increase over 18% to $441mn and stopped a string of six consecutive years of operating losses. In fact, the Yankees 2009 operating income of $24.9mn was the team’s highest since Forbes started conducting the study. The Yankees economic surge has come at a price though. In order to facilitate the building of the new stadium, the team now sits with a debt/value ratio of 89%.

New York Yankees Financial Data, 2000-2009 (Source: Forbes)

Interestingly, the value of the Mets declined by 6% to $858mn, despite the fact that the team also opened a new stadium. According to Forbes, the dip in value reflects a lower than expected revenue increase from 2009 (only 2.6%) as well as an expected drop in 2010 revenue resulting from the team’s decision to slash  ticket prices after a disappointing season. In spite of the dampened results, the Mets still turned an operating profit of $26mn, a $2mn increase over 2008. The next time someone argues that the Yankees success is solely predicated by their market, be sure to point to the Mets.

The Mets’ misfortunes allowed the Red Sox to reclaim the second slot on the list. The Red Sox franchise value increased by 4% to $873mn, despite a small drop in revenue. In spite of the slight reduction in revenue, Boston surged to an operating profit of $40mn. Still, with revenue almost constrained, one can see why John Henry has become the latest proponent of cost control by means of a salary cap? I wonder how Red Sox Nation will feel knowing that the team could match the Yankees payroll if only Henry was willing to break even?

The only team to earn a larger operating profit than the Red Sox was the Marlins, who retained their customary position as baseball’s most profitable franchise by taking in over $46mn (the team’s second straight year above the $40mn threshold). Now we know why MLBPA had to scold the Marlins for not spending their revenue sharing money. Baseball can be a lucrative business when you refuse to spend on players.

Speaking of the Marlins, they also experienced the greatest rise in franchise value. Miami’s decision to help fund the Marlins new ballpark, which is scheduled to open in 2012, fueled a 15% increase in value to $317mn. Another team with a new publicly financed stadium, the Twins, experienced the second largest jump in franchise value. Thanks to the anticipated opening of Target Field, the value of the Twins climbed 14% to $405mn.

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