As the Pennant Race Heats Up, Report Shows Big-League Cash Doesn't Mean Success in Modern Era

PHOENIX, Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With baseball's post-season in full swing, Jack Ablin, Chief Investment Officer, Harris Private Bank, today released an economic analysis of Major League Baseball's winners and losers.

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(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111007/AQ82575-b)

"While money has historically bought success in baseball, recent trends linking payrolls to winning percentages have weakened," said Ablin. "This reflects varying skill in team management; it's certainly easy to win games with a massive payroll, but it does not guarantee success."

Following the buzz of baseball bestseller and just-released film Moneyball, Ablin's big-league winners and losers are broken down in the context of costs (payroll) and benefits (wins).

Ablin's top winners and losers of the 2011 season in the American and National League are as follows:

American League Winner

Texas Rangers - The Rangers closed the year with a .593 winning percentage in a highly-competitive league. The team was able to attain the second highest winning percentage and wrap up their division for under $100 million. The team's highly paid players delivered.  

American League Loser

Minnesota Twins – The Twins posted the worst record in the league and came within one game of losing 100 games for the season.  Remarkably, the Twins posted a $112 million payroll. The team was plagued with health issues and a weak bullpen.  Given their recent successes, including six division titles in the last decade, we're willing to cut management a little slack.

National League Winner

Arizona Diamondbacks – While the Diamondbacks are struggling against the star-studded Brewers, the team put together 94 wins during the regular season with a scant $53 million payroll. The D-Backs clinched their first NL West title in four years; a remarkable turnaround after a year of losing 97 games.  

National League Loser

Houston Astros – With a .346 winning percentage, or should we say a .654 losing percentage, the Astros dropped 106 games this season. The team finished 40 games behind the division-winner Brewers. To be fair, the team is in the process of being sold, although prospective buyer Jim Crane may want to reconsider his purchase price.  The only good news here is that the Astros' poor showing deflects attention away from the lackluster Cubs.  

About Harris Private Bank, a part of BMO Financial Group

Harris Private Bank offers a comprehensive range of wealth management services that include investment advisory, trust, banking and financial planning to meet the financial needs of high net worth clients. Through integrated teams of experienced financial professionals, Harris Private Bank helps its clients realize their financial and lifestyle goals with solutions that are custom tailored and delivered with the highest level of personalized service. Harris Private Bank is a member of the Harris family of wealth management services.

About M&I Wealth Management, a part of BMO Financial Group

M&I Wealth Management is a leading provider of trust, investment management and private banking services to corporations, institutions and affluent individuals.

Harris Private Bank is a trade name used by various subsidiary financial service providers of BMO Financial Corp.  Banking product and services offered through Harris Private Bank are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and its bank affiliates.  Member FDIC.  Not all products and services are available in every state and/or location. BMO and BMO Financial Group are trade names used by Bank of Montreal.

M&I Wealth Management offers products and services through various affiliates of BMO Financial Corp., including Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A., M&I Investment Management Corp., M&I Financial Advisors, Inc. (member FINRA/SIPC, maintaining its principal offices at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202), North Star Trust Company, North Star Deferred Exchange Corp. and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC. Insurance coverage is underwritten by a number of insurers. Insurance products are the obligation of the insurance company. ©2011 BMO Financial Corp.

Banking products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A., Member FDIC.

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