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    October 28, 2011

World Series Provides Economic Boost to St. Louis

   Kane Farabaugh | St. Louis, Missouri

   The ultimate games in professional baseball, the World Series, can
   provide an economic boost to cities that host the championship. The St.
   Louis Cardinals' route to this year's World Series, where they face the
   Texas Rangers, is helping the Missouri city get through difficult
   economic times.

   In the city of St. Louis, Missouri, Cardinals baseball is king. The
   team generates money and attention for the city, and attracts a loyal
   fan base, including supporters like Beth Nelson.
   Nelson, an account clerk at St. Louis City Hall, and her husband, also
   a city employee, saw a drop in their pay over the last two years, the
   effects of mandatory unpaid days off to help the city balance its
   budget.
   The furloughs Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay instituted two years ago
   affected all city employees, including him.
   "When you have a big budget crunch, unfortunately it really does impact
   the employees," said Slay.
   Slay was preparing for more furloughs when the Cardinals made a
   comeback in the final weeks of the regular season. They made the
   playoffs and hosted some of the post-season games, which brought more
   money to St. Louis from ticket and concession sales taxes.
   "With one World Series game, we get - conservatively - about $500,000
   in extra revenues directly into the city," noted Slay.
   More people spending money in the city to watch the post-season games
   also helps souvenir vendors like Mike Burch.
   "The regular season wasn't all that good, but for all of us down here
   downtown with the hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, it's really been