THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014
PAGE 9
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Having the largest payroll doesn't automatically mean you're going to win. We've seen that time and time again."
— Hal Steinbrenner, Owner of New York Yankees
YardBarker.com
FACT OF THE DAY
2014's Opening Day marked the first time since 1998 that the Yankees didn't have the MLB's highest payroll to begin the year.
CBS Sports
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: Which MLB team has the league's lowest payroll in 2014?
A: Houston Astros with $44.5 million. Associated Press
Associated Press
Oakland A's overcome low payroll, bring A game
THE MORNING BREW
The Oakland Athletics have quietly been one of the best stories in baseball over the past couple of seasons. Arguably the least recognized of the five clubs California has to its name, the As are the only team from the Golden State to win their division in each of the past two seasons.
Off to another encouraging start in 2014, they sit atop the American League West while boasting the league's top run differential, scoring 31 more than their opponents. Sure, Oakland's recent success is impressive
The As play at a huge perceived disadvantage, regularly finding themselves among the league's bottom teams in terms of payroll. In 2012, they were dead last. Last season, fifth-lowest. And this year, sixth from last.
Oakland's recent success is impressive — it would be for any squad — but the circumstances under it's achieved that success is the real story.
To put that in perspective, consider the Kansas City Royals' salary situation for a moment.
You've likely overheard a Royals fan or two blaming their lack of success on their shortage of funds. I know that I have. And it's a legitimate argument — KC regularly has one of the league's top farm systems, but can't afford to keep that talent once it starts
To boot, it's one of only three teams in the league that doesn't have a single player on its roster earning more than $11 million this season. To put that in perspective, the New York Yankees own nine players that make more than that.
now consider that Oakland has had, on average, $10 million less to work with than the Royals each of the last three seasons. That's another top-of-the-rotation pitcher or starting shortstop.
It's quite the disparity, yes. But unlike Kansas City, Oakland hasn't allowed its undesirable financial situation define it. Instead, it's become a great underdog story. The type that they make movies about. Well, actually, they've already made one.
producing.
A's general manager Billy Beane's tactics used to field a competitive team with limited finances are well-chronicled in 2011's Moneyball. Unfortunately, the film's September release also coincided with the conclusion of Oakland's fifth-consecutive season with a record.500 or under. The team and attitude documented in the movie were a distant memory.
But fast forward three years and that swagger has clearly returned to the A's clubhouse. And make no mistake, when you don't have a lot of money, swagger
is everything. Especially when you're stuck in a division with the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers — teams that own the league's sixth and eighth highest payroll, respectively.
The idea that Oakland has been able to claw its way back out of MLB's cellar with a payroll less than half of its divisional competition is nothing short of amazing.
Beane and the AS don't appear to mind that both 'Texas' and LA's four highest-paid players make significantly more than their entire team does. They don't mind that the last team to win the World Series with a payroll under $100 million was the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies (Oakland has $68,577,000 this year). They don't
mind that conventional wisdom says they shouldn't be doing any-where close to as well as they have been.
No, none of that matters. The As have fielded nine, fundamentally sound ballplayers who simply work well together. In an
age of big names, big egos and big contracts, it's easy to forget that's really what it's all about.
So, if you've been searching for an enticing storyline to follow this baseball season, look no further than the AL West. It's David vs. Goliath; good vs. evil. However you want to look at it, there's no doubt that there's something special going on in Oakland. It'll be interesting to see how long the A's can keep it up while competing against some of the league's biggest spenders.
This week in athletics
Edited by Jack Feigh
Wednesday
Track and field
Drake Relays
All day
Des Moines, Iowa
Baseball Missouri State 6 p.m. Lawrence
Thursday
Women's tennis
Iowa State
10 a.m.
Fort Worth, Texas
Track and field
Drake Relays
All day
Des Moines, Iowa
Friday
Softball Baylor 6:30 p.m. Waco, Texas
Track and field
Drake Relays
All day
Des Moines, Iowa
Men's golf
Big 12 Championship
All day
Trinity, Texas
Women's golf Big 12 Championship All day Austin, Texas
Baseball
Baylor
6:35 p.m.
Waco, Texas
Saturday
Softball
Baylor
3 p.m.
Waco, Texas
Track and field
Triton Invitational
All day
San Diego, Calif.
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Men's golf
Big 12 Championship
All day
Trinity, Texas
Women's golf
Big 12 Championship
All day
Austin, Texas
Baylor
3:05 p.m.
Waco, Texas
Baseball
Sunday
Men's golf Big 12 Championship All day Trinity, Texas
Women's golf
Big 12 Championship
All day
Austin, Texas
Baseball
Baylor
1:05 p.m.
Waco, Texas
Softball
Baylor
Noon
Waco, Texas
Baseball
Wichita State
6.30 p.m.
Wichita, Kan.
No events
Monday
Tuesday
AAAC Tutoring Services is hiring tutors for fall 2014. To apply, visit www.tutoringku.edu. Questions? Call 785-864-7733. KU is an EO/EA/Call. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected Veteran Status.
JOBS
Lifeguards, outdoor activity specialists, great summer job, live on-site near Lawrence, KS. Call 800-617-1484 or see www.talakoks.org for employment details.
2014 GRADUATES. Shawnee Co.
Health Agency Job Openings:
Dietician, WIC RN, Mid-level
Providers, Physicians, among
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visit www.shawneehhealth.org
HOUSING
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THURSDAY
HOUSING
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HOUSING
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Bob Billings & Crestline Walking distance to KU
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3 BR, 2BA townhomes avail. Aug. 1
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Adam Ave. - $1200/month
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Pet Friendly! Call Garber Property
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