On April 2nd, 1997, for the first time in Major League Baseball history, the salary of one player surpasses the payroll of an entire team. In 1997, the Chicago White Sox will pay Albert Belle $10 million for the season which is $928,333 more than the entire Pittsburgh Pirates payroll.

The first officially all-professional baseball team was the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings (Reds). So on one level you could say that money has been ruining baseball for 156 years.

This year, my Mets offered Juan Soto $765 million dollars over 15 years ($51 million a year) to play baseball for them in Queens.

Baseball is a game of numbers. The numbers that catches our eyes a lot these days are probably players’ salaries. How sustainable are these numbers? Is there an end to the growth in sight?

In theory, on April 2nd, all teams have a chance to make the playoffs and win the World Series. The reality of payroll though is that, barring injuries, the Mets certainly have a better chance than the current Pittsburgh Pirates.

What is a fan to do?

As a fan of the Mets, I will enjoy watching Soto in the lineup with Lindor. But at the same time, I will be rooting for the Pirates and other small-market teams, including my local nine, the Minnesota Twins.

Albert Belle’s 10-Million dollar contract helped the 1997 White Sox finish with a record of 80-81, second place in the American League Central. The Pittsburgh Pirates finished with a record of 79-83 for second place in the National League Central. One win difference!

Yes, money ruins baseball just as it ruins absolutely everything it touches. Nonetheless, baseball is still a great game because absolutely anything can happen.