ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig considers the Anaheim Angels' success a testament to baseball's new economics.

"They were the first club that won because of changes in our system. Without revenue sharing, there is no way they would have kept that club together,'' Selig said Tuesday night after presenting the Angels their World Series championship rings.

"From being around them, watching them play, there were no superstars, and they played the game the way you're supposed to, went farther than anyone ever expected and stunned some people. They were the first big beneficiaries of revenue sharing.''

The Angels won the World Series title with a $62 million payroll. The New York Yankees, who lost to Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs, finished with a $138 million payroll.

"We're in the first year of a new labor agreement, and given that it's the first year, we're very satisfied with the early returns,'' Selig said. "There is no doubt in my mind that a year, two years from now, everyone will realize the importance of it.''

Selig said that, finally, there is "labor peace.''

"Given the last 35 years, this is our time in history to do something with the game,'' he said. "There will always be thorny issues, but I believe this is our time. We need to take advantage of this time of peace in the game. If not, then shame on us.''

When Selig's name was introduced at the beginning of the pregame ring ceremony, there was scattered booing among the fans in Anaheim, but the boos turned to cheers as the players began receiving their rings.