Any Chance He would Buy the Rangers?

I was amazed a few times in the last 24 hours. First, I was amazed when Jerry spent tons of cash on all the free agents he could sign in 8 hours. $28 million in bonuses proves that Jerry realizes that if you want to win, you have to spend. Then, later in the SAME EXACT SPORTS PAGE, Tom Hicks admits that he made a huge mistake by spending in the past, and will never do it again! Let’s start with Jerry…

Jones' bottom line: You don't spend, you can't win …

Jones spent $28 million in signing bonuses and $66 million in contracts to secure the services of cornerback Anthony Henry, defensive tackle Jason Ferguson and guard Marco Rivera. Henry received a $10 million signing bonus, and Ferguson and Rivera each received $9 million.

Now, Dallas plans to let the market settle before trying to find bargains at free safety and running back.

"All you have to do is look at the past when it comes to these kinds of decisions to see that I will do what it takes to try to get us a Super Bowl," Jones said. "It's about winning. It always has been about winning."

Hicks puts the spending future on the fans …

"Maybe there should be a rule that owners can't make a single decision until they've owned a club for three years," Hicks joked before Thursday's 6-4 loss to Kansas City in the spring opener. "I'm not a new owner anymore; I've graduated. We took the payroll up in anticipation of revenues going up, and it didn't match up. We're not going to do that anymore."

Barring a spring-training trade for a high-dollar offensive player, which Hicks said is unlikely, the Rangers guaranteed salaries will cost between $51 million and $52 million. Like all teams, the Rangers will figure another $7 million to $8 million in benefits in their payroll. They do not count the $6.2 million that will be sent to the New York Yankees as part of the Alex Rodriguez trade in the payroll.

The previous low figure for salaries under Hicks was $54.7 million in 1998, his first season as owner. And those salaries were set before Hicks' ownership was officially approved.

This year's payroll should allow the Rangers to turn a profit for a second straight year, Hicks said. He also said it is easier to grow payroll following increases in revenue rather than the other way around. Hicks is hoping to see a jump in attendance of about 200,000 fans over last year's total of 2.5 million.

"For where we are with our fan support, we're where we need to be [with payroll]," Hicks said. "If we get our attendance up around 3 million, things could change."

So, which one of these rich men is right? Is Jones right for thinking that the only way to be the best is to buy the best? Or is it Hicks, for claiming that he was wrong when he used to spend, and now will never make that mistake again?

I think that you likely know I will take the side of Jones in this one. Hicks cracks me up. Not really his views on his checkbook, because there are a lot of people who might be in financial peril that get really cheap really fast. But, what amazes me about Hicks is that he will speak so freely about it. He is almost proud to be cheap. He is defiant about his right to make a profit.

Let’s review the last part of the article on Hicks:

This year's payroll should allow the Rangers to turn a profit for a second straight year, Hicks said. He also said it is easier to grow payroll following increases in revenue rather than the other way around. Hicks is hoping to see a jump in attendance of about 200,000 fans over last year's total of 2.5 million.

"For where we are with our fan support, we're where we need to be [with payroll]," Hicks said. "If we get our attendance up around 3 million, things could change."

That’s right, Rangers fans! You have no right to be mad about the drop in payroll this year. And if you want the payroll to even rise to last year’s level of moderate spending, then you better get between 200,000 and 500,000 more fans to go to the park this year! He has put the ball in your court. The Rangers did nothing this offseason to address their needs, and do you know whose fault it is? YOURS!

Hicks is why owners like Jones are so great. Hicks never mentioned winning in his story, it was all about profit. Meanwhile, as Jones wrote $28 million dollars in signing bonuses yesterday (which would pay for almost 60% of the entire Rangers payroll in 2005), you never heard Jones mention profit. He is worried about winning. He knows money will then take care of itself. Hicks can’t think of anything but money.

(added 10:45am)I wanted to offer a few more things here:

USA Today Salary database ...

Also, TR Sullivan claims the payroll will come in at $58 million ...

For now, though, the Rangers have every player under contract, and Hicks said they are looking at a total payroll of $58 million, which includes salaries and benefits. He also said the Rangers owe the New York Yankees $6.2 million this year under the terms of the Alex Rodriguez trade.

Thus, the Rangers are in a position to spend about $3 million more than last year.

Now, this is an object of some conjecture. Evan Grant calls the payroll $52 million, Sullivan says it is $58. The discrepancy appears to be the $6 million in benefits. Traditionally, that is not included in the raw number, and the USA Today salary database does not include it. So, after making some calls, I believe Grant is correct, and Sullivan incorrect with regards to the payroll. When Sullivan says the payroll will go up, I believe he mistakenly included the benefits. Actually, as of now, the payroll will be dropping, although not as much as I originally thought back in January.



We haven’t displayed a random old football card lately, so here you go. It is the 1955 Bowman Tom Landry card, which I believe was his last player card. In 1954 he went to the Pro Bowl as a DB, and in 1955 ended his playing career and transformed into a defensive coach. Of course, that transition worked out pretty well for Tom, as he eventually would be the defensive coordinator while Vince Lombardi was the offensive coordinator under Jim Lee Howell for the Giants before both would land head coaching jobs.

Links:

Carolina tries to outspend the Cowboys with signings of Wahle and Lucas …By the way, I am told that Ken Lucas was likely the first choice of the Cowboys at CB, but opted for Henry when it became obvious that Lucas was going to be even more expensive. Either way, I would still want Winfield last year...

Galloway on Jones ...

Ballplayer versus radio guys ...

Chelsea claims "the title is won" despite having 11 games to go ...that's cocky...

Michael Owens making his name at Real Madrid ...