The Boston American League Professional Baseball Franchise – the Boston Red Sox – began life as a charter member of the newly formed American League in 1901. The National League Colorado Rockies began as a Major League Baseball expansion franchise in 1993.
The Red Sox enter the 2007 World Series with a regular season record of 96-66 – including 2 losses to the Rockies during interleague play in June. They won the American League East division by 2 games and the American League Championship series against the Cleveland Indians in 7 games, out scoring the Indians in the final three games 30-5 as they came back from a 3-1 deficit after winning the first game of the 7 game series.
The Colorado Rockies enter the 2007 World Series on something of an historic run – winning 21 of their last 22 games, including a 1 game playoff with the San Diego Padres for the National League Wild Card – a game which ended on a controversial call at home in the 13th inning – and on the strength of two series sweeps against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. They ended the regular season with the second best record in the National League at 90-73 – note that one game playoff was technically a regular season game and as such, the and the Padres each played 163 games in 2007.
Fenway Park opened April 20, 1912 and has grown in capacity from 35,000 on that first opening day to over 38,800 in 2007. It was built for the amazing sum of $650,000. The “Sox” beat the New York Highlanders, later the New York Yankees, that opening day 7-6 in 11 innings.
Coors Field began life on August 16, 1990 when voters approved a sales tax increase to fund a baseball stadium. It opened on April 26, 1995 with a capacity of just over 50,000 for a total cost of $215 Million of which 78% was publicly financed. The “Rox” beat the Mets that opening day 11-9 in 14 innings.
Fenway’s seats are predominantly green save for one red seat – Section 42, Row 37, Seat 21. It marks Ted Williams’ June 9, 1946 home run, the farthest ever hit in Fenway. Coors Field features a ring of purple seats to mark a spot that it is exactly 1 mile above sea level.
Coors features an a-symmetrical field: Left field runs 347 feet; center field: 415 feet; right field: 350 feet; with a backstop of 56 feet. Fenway’s Left, Center, Right measurements show a slightly less symmetrical and certainly smaller field: Left field; 310 feet; center field: 390 feet; right field: 302; with a backstop of 60 feet. The Left, Center, and Right field measurements belie the true oddities of the Fenway field though, from the Monster separating the field from Yawkey Way, to the Triangle creating the deepest part of the field at 420 feet.
The World Series reseller market is hot in both markets: According to the Boston Globe website, the average World Series ticket at Fenway is running about $1400 to just under $800 at Coors Field. Speaking of ticket prices, the average Major League Baseball ticket in 2007 was $21.17. The Red Sox were the most expensive ticket in baseball at $44.56 while the Rockies actually reduced prices by 1.2%; their average ticket is $15.00.
As late as the beginning of this season, the Rockies were ranked 22 of 30 in terms of financial value at $317 Million – the Monforts paid $95 Million for the team in 1992. The Red Sox were valued as the third most valuable team at $724 Million – they were bought by the Henry/Werner group in 2002 for $380 Million. Of the $724 Million, Fenway was valued at $165 Million; of the Rockies’ $317 Million, the Rockies’ Portion value attributable to Coors Field was $66 Million. 33% of the Rockies’ value comes from the market size while 43% of the Red Sox value comes from their market.
While the Rockies have just concluded their 5th winning season and first pennant ever, the Red Sox have 11 pennants to their credit and 6 World Championships, the last one being in 2004.
The Red Sox Player Expenses – including payroll and benefits – began 2007 at $146 Million to Colorado’s $63 Million. The Red Sox had the second highest payroll in baseball, just behind the New York Yankees. For that payroll, the Rockies have 24% more wins per payroll dollar than the average team; the Red Sox have 40% fewer wins per payroll dollar than the average team.
The series kicks off Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 8:00 PM in Fenway Park.
REFERENCES:
Redsoxconnection.com, URL: http://www.redsoxconnection.com/redseat.html
Ballparks.com, URL: http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/coorsf.htm
Brainyhistory.com, URL: http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1995/april_26_1995_171938.html
Boston.com, URL: http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/23/this_time_the_tickets_cost_a_smaller_fortune/
Allbusiness.com, URL: http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4563055-1.html
Forbes.com, URL: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/33/07mlb_Colorado-Rockies_336931.html
Forbes.com, URL: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/33/07mlb_Boston-Red-Sox_330700.html
