EG> Look back at the last 12 years (counting this year) and you'll see that 
n
EG> the first 6 years of that period, Atlanta, Cleveland and Seattle were ALL
EG> trailing Milwaukee in gate revenue (Cleveland and Seattle were behind by
EG> an average of $7.5 mil per year while Atlanta was behind by an average of
EG> $8.5 mil per year. During one three year stretch, Milwaukee drew TWICE as
EG> many fans as the Braves) but in the last 6 years, they've all blown past
EG> Milwaukee. The only one that has a new stadium is Cleveland and they were
EG> already making progress before they moved into it. Of those teams, only
EG> Atlanta had the capital to go out for free agents and they paid dearly 
or
EG> their stupidity. When they gave up that foolishness and committed to
EG> winning via their farm system, they went after a veteran, Terry 
endleton,
EG> to help with the younger players.
The Brewers had no choice.  They lost all their players to free-agency the 
last  few years.  Surhoff, Hamilton, Molitor, Sheffield, etc.  This year they 
were going to lose Vaughn, and made a smart trade.  The Brewers did NOT have 
the money to resign them.  I don't have the facts and figures to support 
this, but I know if you look at income over the past 3 years, the Brewers are 
not high on this list.
Tal
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