Lumps of Coal and Luxury Taxes

If you got a lump of coal like we did(n’t—ha!), we hope it was one like this. At least it goes with pretzels and pizza, right?

We ourselves did mighty fine, thanks to the elves and to our cookies and milk strategy. Phalanx of Fun member Prospero gave us the most sports-oriented gift: Two tickets to a July 2008 Red Sox–Yankees game in enemy territory Yankee stadium, which has never yet been graced with our cocky-yet-decidedly-not-obnoxious-Sox-fan presence.

Speaking of the Red Sox and Yankees, the rivals have the honor of being the only MLB teams slapped with a luxury tax (or more properly, the competitive-balance tax). The Snuffed-Out-in-the-ALCS Yanks have to pony up $23.88M to the IRS, and the 2007 World Series Champion Red Sox owe $6.06M to Uncle Sam.

OK, it doesn’t really go to the government. It goes to the Commish, who redistributes the funds to the uh, less fortunate teams.