Following the President’s State of the Union, ESPN's Jim Caple delivers a State of the Game (of baseball) and finds it in exceedingly good health. A lot of people complain about Bud Selig but the game has undergone unprecedented financial growth during his tenure. There’s no salary cap but revenue sharing had enabled some small-market teams, notably Cleveland, to spend heavily.

By Jim Caple, ESPN.com

Pitchers and catchers, position players and non-roster invitees, my fellow American fans -- as well as fans in Canada, Latin America, Japan and all across the globe: As we set down our snow shovels and pick up our SPF 30 sunscreen, I am proud to announce the State of the Game is & outstanding.

Recession? What recession? Thanks to the owners and players taking a bipartisan approach over the past decade -- if only Republicans and Democrats followed their example! -- baseball is generating more money than even Congress can spend. Though maybe not as much as Magic Johnson and the Dodgers can.

Major League Baseball took in $7.5 billion last year. The Dodgers sold for more than $2 billion -- and that included only half the stadium parking lot. The Padres are close to a $1 billion local TV package. The Rangers have a $1.6 billion TV deal. The Angels have a $3 billion deal. The YES Network recently was valued at $3.8 billion -- with that kind of money, we'll soon see Yankeeographies on Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain.

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