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I'm throwing this non-Puresim question out to all you baseball enthusiasts that are much more connected to the game and its history than I am (a figure that should account for most everyone in the planet).

I was looking at this link on MLB.com and it was talking about the Postseason shares. Now usually MLB.com is very good about explaining what they're reporting, so that smart-challenged folks such as myself will be able to follow along. They explained arbitration when it became a leading topic and they explained the Rule 5 Draft when it came around, so I expected them to explain these 'shares'. They didn't.

Might someone be willing to explain what they are? It's not the math or how they came to these figures that I'm concerned with; what I'm wondering is WHAT are they in the first place, why are they being given, etc. Frankly, I figured I'd get a better, faster and certainly more reliable response here than anywhere else.

[:)]

Thanks in advance.

It's a bonus for players on the playoff teams (and a couple other teams too I guess)

From MLB.com...

All eight postseason teams got a postseason share of some amount, as did the three second-place teams (Tigers, Brewers, Mets and Mariners) that did not qualify for postseason play. The players' pool is formed from 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first three games of the Division Series and 60 percent of the gate receipts from the first four games from the League Championship Series and World Series.

EDIT: Just realized that was the same article you were referring too! oops... Anyway, I did some more googling and i think it's as simple as it sounds. Playoff teams get a "bonus" of sorts and then they divide that up amongst the players. It also looks like the players on the team decide how to distribute the "shares" between themselves, with some players getting a full share, and some players less.

Here is what my understanding is.  Based on the article mentioned, each team of the eight teams is given a pool of money to divide among the players.  It is then the players on the team who vote who will receive a share of this pool. Typically the shares will go to those players who played in the playoffs or most of the season with the team.  Sometimes, teams will vote shares to formre teammates or equipment managers, etc. 
 
So basically the shares are portions of the pot the players receive.  It is possible that there are more than the standard 25 shares.  There have also been instances where players have voted a portion of share to a teammate (a rookie with the team for one month or the previously mentioned former teammate).  I believe that when the Red Sox won the Series in 2004, the team voted Nomar a share of the playoff pot.
 
I hope that this makes sense.

I also remember reading about The Rockies donating a share of there playoff money to the family of the Minor league coach that died earlier this year (when he was struck with a fould ball). I dont know the exact figures but i still found that to be a great move by the Rockies.

ORIGINAL: flanman1969

I also remember reading about The Rockies donating a share of there playoff money to the family of the Minor league coach that died earlier this year (when he was struck with a fould ball). I dont know the exact figures but i still found that to be a great move by the Rockies.

I couldn't agree more. With skyrocketing and atmospheric salaries, it's good to see a team that isn't just in it for the money.