Power at the top can be maintained by well run organizations. A lack of parity means a large group of teams have little to no chance at competing year-to-year. Despite the Rays success, they've made only the playoffs only once as a small market team.

There are a slew of teams in baseball that begin every season with ZERO chance of making the playoffs, let alone winning a championship. It's far too top-heavy in baseball. NFL teams have found success for certain periods of time because they can hold on to their good players due to a SALARY CAP. There isn't another team offering Tom Brady twice the salary the Pats are offering because nobody can afford that kind of cap space.

The Yankees INFIELD ALONE (1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, shortstop) earn more ($85.2 million) than 14 other teams TOTAL payroll.

Gary, the MLB will not allow those teams you speak of to rebound for long periods of time. The business model is set up for failure. The Yankees NEVER have to worry about the well drying up when it comes to money. They can always buy the top talent year in year out and contend for playoff appearances. Teams like KC, Pitt, & B'more have to hope their farm system comes together at the perfect time for them to have ONE OR TWO solid years together before their team gets bought up by higher income squads.

The teams in the NFL have the ability to be back in the game in less than 3 years with smart drafts and solid management. The MLB could take 15-20 years for a franchise to rebound. The $$$$ disparity is too large in baseball.

And yes, I agree that Steinbrenner was a GREAT BUSINESSMAN, but don't mistake the Yankees for some off the wall mystical franchise. They don't win due to outstanding front office management. If anything, Cashman is the worst GM in all of baseball. The Yankees succeed thanks to an uncapped salary system and a HUGE amount of money to pull from in the New York region. Couple that with 90 years worth of bandwagon fans around the country and you've got yourself one helluva cash cow.

And by the way, those "ass terrible" teams from the NFL you mentioned (Redskins, Rams, Lions) have a combined 9 playoff apperances, 6 playoff wins and 1 Super Bowl win in the last 11 years.

Tell me the same about the Pirates/Orioles/Royals...

periods of depression and greatness in baseball are just a little bit longer. The orioles, royals and pirates were the big dogs in town in the 80s and 90s, but a series of shitty front office moves doomed them to mediocrity for the next 10 years. They will be back eventually, have a good run of about 5-8 years fade back into mediocrity for a while, then rise again.

5-8 years is optimistic. Only the big dogs can afford that kind of sustained winning. 2-3 years is more likely......if that.

the parity is basically the same between the sports. 4 teams have never been to a superbowl, 3 teams have never been to world series.

a salary cap doesnt do much for parity. take a look at the Heat, the Patriots, the Colts, the Lakers, the Celtics, the list goes on...

and if $$$ buys championships, how the hell did the Marlins and the Diamondbacks win a world series?

What happened pre-1995 has no bearing anymore. The explosion of salaries has left baseball in a cycle that caters to the bigger markets. That's why the past 11-15 years is being used in my stats. Before that, loyalty was greater than salaries most times. Teams could be good year in year out without being the richest. It isn't like that anymore in baseball and it won't be until they A) contract teams, or B) impose a salary cap in the vicinity of $125 million.

I never said $$$$$ buys championships. Money buys consistent success. The Marlins win with home grown talent, then when they can't afford them as free agents they sell the team off. The Marlins are a well run organization that gets a decent shot at a title every once in awhile. But they can't consistently win EVERY YEAR because they can't pay to do it. Same with the Diamondbacks. They spent for a few years, then couldn't afford it anymore. Won a title.......now they're mediocre again.