The Division Series are proving no slouch, either. The Cubbies and the Braves' Game One drew a 7.5 rating, which fairly easily places it above the '03 NBA Finals rating of 6.5. As Bill Walton might say, that's verrrry embarrassing for the planet's premiere pro hoops league.
There are just so many potential stories and compelling teams in this Major League Baseball tournament. The Red Sox, who haven't won a World Series since the World War I era. The Cubbies, who've never even sniffed a World Series in eons.
The Yankees. Like Derek Jeter says in those promos, the Yankees are a team you either love or hate. But boy, do people come out to see 'em, from coast to coast.
The Braves: once upon a time, dubbed America's Team, though that nickname rings hollow today. The A's, Marlins, and Twins: strong contraction candidates not long ago at all--these teams survive and thrive on relatively small budgets, and therefore inspire upon some a Rocky Balboa-like admiration and following. These teams, though, even upon winning a World Series, would still desperately need a new stadium or new locale...hint hint, MLB: think of the only major league-sized city between Seattle and San Francisco.
Amazing that the aforementioned NLDS Cubbies/Braves game outpaced ALL of the 2002 League CHAMPIONSHIP Series games broadcast. MLB is clearly riding a wave of prosperity and good fortune this season, especially here in the postseason.
Or not.
In some ways, teams like the Twins performing so successfully makes his drive to eliminate the team a bit embarrassing. Teams like the Twins supposedly couldn't compete and were doomed to destruction. And what do they do? Beat the Yankees in Game One of their ALDS series.
In the short term and for the most part, though, Bud Selig and his cronies have to be overjoyed. Ratings and interest are up, though a team, the Red Sox, who could've produced mammoth World Series ratings, are looking like Dead Sox. Look for the relatively putrid 2002 World Series numbers to be proven an aberration. This year's ratings will produce healthy, robust ratings, especially if there is a Game 7.
MLB is back to being MLB. Could NASCAR be America's new number two favorite TV sport, as USA Today asserted? Nope. NASCAR? More like NEVER...NASCAR can crow about allegedly lapping the NBA, but it will never truly outpace (no pun intended) MLB, solidly entrenched as America's second favorite sport behind football.
http://www.jtthebrick.com/fanclub/mlbfans/article.asp?team=Smash&id=40292
There are just so many potential stories and compelling teams in this Major League Baseball tournament. The Red Sox, who haven't won a World Series since the World War I era. The Cubbies, who've never even sniffed a World Series in eons.
The Yankees. Like Derek Jeter says in those promos, the Yankees are a team you either love or hate. But boy, do people come out to see 'em, from coast to coast.
The Braves: once upon a time, dubbed America's Team, though that nickname rings hollow today. The A's, Marlins, and Twins: strong contraction candidates not long ago at all--these teams survive and thrive on relatively small budgets, and therefore inspire upon some a Rocky Balboa-like admiration and following. These teams, though, even upon winning a World Series, would still desperately need a new stadium or new locale...hint hint, MLB: think of the only major league-sized city between Seattle and San Francisco.
Amazing that the aforementioned NLDS Cubbies/Braves game outpaced ALL of the 2002 League CHAMPIONSHIP Series games broadcast. MLB is clearly riding a wave of prosperity and good fortune this season, especially here in the postseason.
Or not.
In some ways, teams like the Twins performing so successfully makes his drive to eliminate the team a bit embarrassing. Teams like the Twins supposedly couldn't compete and were doomed to destruction. And what do they do? Beat the Yankees in Game One of their ALDS series.
In the short term and for the most part, though, Bud Selig and his cronies have to be overjoyed. Ratings and interest are up, though a team, the Red Sox, who could've produced mammoth World Series ratings, are looking like Dead Sox. Look for the relatively putrid 2002 World Series numbers to be proven an aberration. This year's ratings will produce healthy, robust ratings, especially if there is a Game 7.
MLB is back to being MLB. Could NASCAR be America's new number two favorite TV sport, as USA Today asserted? Nope. NASCAR? More like NEVER...NASCAR can crow about allegedly lapping the NBA, but it will never truly outpace (no pun intended) MLB, solidly entrenched as America's second favorite sport behind football.
http://www.jtthebrick.com/fanclub/mlbfans/article.asp?team=Smash&id=40292
