VOA标准英语2011--World Series Provides Economic Boost to St. Louis

World Series Provides Economic Boost to St. Louis

The ultimate games in professional baseball, the World Series, can provide an economic boost to cities that host the championship. The St. Louis Cardinals¹' route to this year's World Series, where they face the Texas Rangers², is helping³ 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 mandatory⁴ unpaid⁵ days off to help the city balance its budget.

The furloughs Saint Louis Mayor Francis Slay⁶ instituted two years ago affected⁷ all city employees, including him.
"When you have a big budget crunch⁸, 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 concession⁹ sales taxes.

"With one World Series game, we get - conservatively - about $500,000 in extra revenues directly into the city," noted¹⁰ Slay.

More people spending money in the city to watch the post-season games also helps souvenir vendors¹¹ 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 a boost for us… much needed," said Burch.

It was also a boost for Beth Nelson and her husband. Thanks to the Cardinals post season run, Mayor Slay won't be furloughing city employees.

"Everybody that you talk to that works for the city of Saint Louis knows that its directly because of the Cardinals going on the post season is why we don't have to have furloughs this year," said Nelson.

"They are definitely saving jobs in the city of Saint Louis and they're certainly helping families under tough economic times," explained Slay.

Slay says furloughs could return if the economy does not improve, but Beth Nelson is hopeful.

"Maybe the Cardinals will go on the World Series next year, too," said Nelson.

The Cardinals reached the post season seven times since Slay assumed office in 2001. He's hoping the Cardinals make an eighth run at the title in 2012.

1 cardinals   

红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 )； 红衣凤头鸟（见于北美，雄鸟为鲜红色）； 基数

参考例句：

• cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
• A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。

2 rangers   

护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员

参考例句：

• Do you know where the Rangers Stadium is? 你知道Rangers体育场在哪吗？ 来自超越目标英语 第3册
• Now I'm a Rangers' fan, so I like to be near the stadium. 现在我是Rangers的爱好者，所以我想离体育场近一点。 来自超越目标英语 第3册

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 mandatory   

adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者

参考例句：

• It's mandatory to pay taxes.缴税是义务性的。
• There is no mandatory paid annual leave in the U.S.美国没有强制带薪年假。

5 unpaid   

adj.未付款的，无报酬的

参考例句：

• Doctors work excessive unpaid overtime.医生过度加班却无报酬。
• He's doing a month's unpaid work experience with an engineering firm.他正在一家工程公司无偿工作一个月以获得工作经验。

6 slay   

v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮

参考例句：

• He intended to slay his father's murderer.他意图杀死杀父仇人。
• She has ordered me to slay you.她命令我把你杀了。

7 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

8 crunch   

n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声

参考例句：

• If it comes to the crunch they'll support us.关键时刻他们是会支持我们的。
• People who crunch nuts at the movies can be very annoying.看电影时嘎吱作声地嚼干果的人会使人十分讨厌。

9 concession   

n.让步，妥协；特许(权)

参考例句：

• We can not make heavy concession to the matter.我们在这个问题上不能过于让步。
• That is a great concession.这是很大的让步。

10 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

11 vendors   

n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方

参考例句：

• The vendors were gazundered at the last minute. 卖主在最后一刻被要求降低房价。
• At the same time, interface standards also benefIt'software vendors. 同时，界面标准也有利于软件开发商。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓