A Whole New Ball Game

Better enjoy this year's baseball season while you can, because battle lines are being drawn that could change the game forever

On the field, the pittsburgh pirates are one of the most successful teams in major league baseball. They finished first in the National League's Eastern Division the past two seasons and came within one game of going to the World Series in 1991. Yet the Pirates are perennial losers off the field. The club has chalked up losses totaling $13 million since 1989, including $3 million in its division-winning season last year. The Pirates blame this paradox largely on soaring players' salaries, which cost $24 million, or 52% of the club's revenues, last year. To make ends meet, Pittsburgh cut more...

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