The Yankees owe Major League Baseball $24 million of competitive-balance "luxury" tax on contracts that pushed the team's payroll over the $148 million limit, AP reports. The might seem like a lot to shell out for the privilege of paying Roger Clemens to go 6-6, but it's actually less than last year.
Also cutting a check to the commissioner's office are the Red Sox, whose $6 million tax may seem well worth it to those Bostonians still basking in the glow of World Series victory. Boston has owed a total of $14 million since the luxury tax started in 2003; the Yankees have racked up $122 million in charges in that time. (More MLB stories.)