I do have a problem with the Orioles as Poland ,however for the reason that prior to the Napoleonic war against the Third Coalition ( Russia, Habsburg Empire/Austria, Britain, Sweden and other minor players ), the NL East perhaps, Poland ceased to exist having been swallowed up by Austria ( Emperor Francis II ) and Russia ( Tsarina Catherine the Great ) in The Third Partition of Poland in 1795. Are you suggesting that the Orioles will be “partitioned” out of existence by teams comparable to 18th Century Austria and Russia, Cinncinati and Philadelphia perhaps?

Also, a large part of middle and southern Italy at this time was the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Chicago Cubs and White Sox perhaps. This kingdom was grabbed off back and forth by various Euopean power brokers. Hmm?

The European rulers, generals, prime ministers and major ambassadors , who all were extremely busy plotting strategy, negotiating treaties, concordates, and post war reparation deals, are prime models for recent and present team owners, union biggies, and managers. Investigation of the dealings and personalities of Austria’s Francis II, Archduke Charles, Gen Mack, Cobenzl, Tallyrand, Metternich, Prussia’s Frederick William and Frederick the Great, Russia’s Czar Alexander, Vorontoz, and William Pitt ( Britain’s George III was busy smelling the roses like several current GMs) will reveal surprising similarities with various front offices and field generals.

Of course, one must not forget the catalyst of so much European activity on and off the field: Napoleon Bonaparte, a great recruiter, negotiator, and administrator. Does the name Steinbrenner strike a note here? Does this make the Yankees the doppleganger of the French Empire?

If we make the argument that Napoleon sought to make himself the second Charlemagne, after all he crowned himself Emperor of France, King of Italy, and assumed the Iron Crown of Saxony, how much of a stretch is it to acknowledge the decades long attempts by the Yankees to spare no expense or action to gain total domination over their world ( baseball and media ) to be a designed second coming of a Holy Roman Empire. Now, who will assume the crown of Charlemagne?