The World Series is Must-See TV

[VermontDem2004]

So am I the last man standing? The last guy to care about the World Series?

There seems a popular thought that, since this Series features U.S. Steel against South Florida Teal, nobody pays attention outside of New York City and Miami.

Everybody wanted the cozy and cuddly Cubs against the tormented and tragic Red Sox. To which, after deep thought, heavy cogitation and serious pondering, I say:

Screw that.

It's the World Series. It's the best of what our country has to offer. It's October, it's poetry, it's ball.

Call me Mr. Horse-and-Buggy in the Space Age, but I've always wondered just exactly what happened to render baseball a second-class citizen in America. One day, we woke up to find the Super Bowl ruling our consciousness like Pol Pot ruled Cambodia.

What happened?

more
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/murphy/031020.html

[pmbryant]

1. I care. I'm just not watching

I want the Yankees to lose. Simple as that. But I have no interest in watching anymore, now that the Cubs are out and the Yankees are in.

:-(

--Peter

[meegbear]

2. It's on FOX and they're whining about low ratings ...

tough tittie Rupert.

[HuckleB]

11. They are?

Can you give us a source that shows this whining? Thus far, the ratings for the World Series are up considerably over last year.

[WindRavenX]

3. It's a kick ass series

Tonight, look for the Marlins to run the bases. Speed is really going to hurt the Yankees if they allow the Marlins to routinely go from first to third...
People don't care about the WS because both the Cubs and the Sox are out of it. The Media was really rooting for the Doomsday WS: Sox VS Cubs.
I never got the people who refused to watch the WS simply because the Yankees are in it. Look at 2001- a great series that had them lose, and yet, many people just didn't watch because the Yankees were in it. Never understood that. Regardless of who plays, you're always going to see something great or weird.

[soleft]

4. Years from now when your grandkids say, did you see Clements last game

to those who are not watching, and you say, um, no I uh decided to boycott the world series, I hope a little kids understands the geo political implications of it all

[TheZoo]

47. I'll tell mine "No I didn't see it..."

I saw some real accomplishments - Seaver's, Niekro's, Perry's, Carlton's and Ryan's 300th....

McGwire's and Sosa's 62nd HR...

An "Amazin'" team that finished either in 10th or 9th for 7 years shock the Baltimore Orioles in '69...

I could care less about Roger Clemens, or this year's World Series There's too much that I have seen to worry about one player.

Maybe the baseball gods / goddesses decided that next year will give a Red Sox / Cubs Series - it'll be the 100th anniversary of the Series.

[VermontDem2004]

49. I too seen McGwire's and Sammy's 62nd Home Run

McGwire's was much more memorable I guess because he was the first one to brake the record. But I thought this year was the 100th anniversary of the world series.

[TheZoo]

50. Sosa's was only on WGN

They were playing the Brewers at home. It was a bit more dramatic, because I think the Cubs were down when he got up. He just laid into it; the crowd went nuts. I don't think anyone realized it immediately that it was #62 - they were too psyched about the Cubs coming back.

Apparently this is the 100th World Series; I thought I read that it was #99 because the 1904 Series was cancelled because John McGraw and the owner of the NY Giants did not want to play Boston.

[VermontDem2004]

51. I know

I have WGN over here in Mesa, Arizona. I watch Cubs games every know and that, sometimes I flip back and forth when the Cubs and Diamondbacks are on both Channel 3 and WGN.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. baseball is America's version of soccer

Really really popular for a long time because there was absolutely nothing else going on.

But by itself, the sport is a bore. It is, by design, meant to be slow and methodical.

Give me the NFL, NBA or NHL any day of the week...except the days the Mets are playing in the World Series.

[WindRavenX]

6. But that's the beauty of the game!

It isn't won on brute strength or speed- it's based on strategy and PATIENCE. I understand why baseball isn't popular as it once was- compared to things on TV or the NFL, it doesn't have blood or fast plays. Baseball is a beautiful game (trust me, I can go on about it) that is defined by moments of poetic beauty. And don't get me started on the math and physics.
Overall, baseball is like a thick book. People don't like thick books- they want someone quick, fast, and entertaining.
/rant

[chiburb]

7. Well said, and in answer to the original question...

I wouldn't miss a game! I'm a White Sox fan, but that is by choice and heritage. I'm a baseball fan first...

[HuckleB]

12. Thanks for the cliches.

But nothing in sport is slower than football. It has the least action over the longest period of time of any sport. Please don't try to tell us that football is all that. It's mostly a lot of waiting around. There is almost always something going on in baseball. And in soccer, for that matter.

[VermontDem2004]

18. Not really

There are waiting time periods between innings and the 7th inning stretch is long as hell. At times it can take 10-15 pitches to either get a hit, out, or a walk with a single batter, the time between pitches is boring and the time before the next batter comes up of course he has to take a few practice swings and call a couple of timeouts. And yes nothing like an infield brawl to extend the game! The TV Guide always says the game is going to be on from 5 pm to 8 pm but it always at least reaches 8:30 to 9 pm. But nothing more boring then a pop fly and a groundout! How exciting!

[HuckleB]

23. Yes, really.

You just dismissed some of the best parts of the game as nothing. Sorry, but time between innings is about as big as it gets, in terms of non action. And that isn't all that much more than the time between two plays in a football game. It is a heck of a lot shorter than the time in between possessions.

There is always something going on in baseball. The same is simply not true for football. If you don't enjoy the battle of the pitcher and the batter or the pitcher/catcher and a runner, fine. But those are what makes the game so incredible, and filled with constant tension that doesn't exist in American football.

[VermontDem2004]

28. Between two plays? No

They take a tv timeout after a kickoff, a punt, during a coach's timeout, and after the quarter ends and halftime.

[HuckleB]

30. They take a lot more TV time-outs than that.

And, yes, despite all the waiting time for TV time outs, the time in between plays is dang near as long as the time in between innings. Take a stop watch. I'm not kidding.

[VermontDem2004]

35. I watch football all the time

that I can predict when they are going to take a tv timeout before they do. After the play and it is a completion or a run you have 40 seconds to come up with a play and snap the ball, the play starts often with 20 or 15 seconds left on the playclock but sometimes they get the play in two slow and snap the ball with less then 5 seconds left. After a play that stops the clock such as an incompletion, a run out of bounds or a timeout you get 25 seconds to get the play in and snap the ball. They do not take alot more tv time outs then that but it may appear that way because they are alot of punts in the game and they do take timeouts after possesion changes so after an interception or a fumble recovery that isn't taken in for a touchdown they do call a tv-timout.

[HuckleB]

38. Not in my experience.

It's a wait wait wait kind of game, with the game clock seldom starting on time, thus making the time between plays often much longer than 40 seconds. Most plays you note the clock getting seriously close to one or two seconds. TV time outs occur before and after punts. Before and after kick offs. In the middle of drives. They occur at a rate that make the game unwatchable for me anymore. The NFL money machine has driven me away from the game. It continues on, and it will make itself richer and richer. That doesn't mean that the game isn't diminished in reality.

Goodbye.

[VermontDem2004]

40. oh no they don't

you are right they do happen before and after kickoffs but I swear to god they do not happen before punts unless a coaches timeout is taken before then. They do not happen in the middle of drives unless there is a coaches timeout and trust me must of the time the play is called and snapped before 10 seconds are left on the game. You probaly haven't been paying attention to when TV timeouts are taken because you are obviously a baseball fan or there is some other reason.

[HuckleB]

43. They do now.

Even my football loving pals have been talking about it this season. In other words, the NFL is starting to push its advertising routine to the point where its core audience is complaining about it.

[VermontDem2004]

45. I watch at least

3 college football games on Saturday, 1 on Thursday. Two Football games on Sunday on at 10am and the other at 1 pm. I watch Sunday Night football and Monday Night Football, trust me I know when the tv timeouts come. :hi:

[HuckleB]

57. I'd trust you, but...

I've watched here and there, and I know many people who watch far more than that. My experience, and theirs, differs from yours.

[Scurrilous]

59. I agree with you.

I watch the Miami Dolphin games faithfully. The number of commercial break is just ridiculous. In a slow game where both teams go three and out a lot, the commercials between change of possession seem to never end. Commercials make up the bulk of the broadcast and almost make the game unwatchable.

[VermontDem2004]

60. I wish I could tape record a game

and show it too. Commercial brakes come at these exact instances.

Before after kickoff
After coaches timeout
after an injury
sometimes during a coach's challange
after a possession change.
after a quarter.
during halftime.

Trust me on this one.

[chiburb]

22. Too true re football...

The average 1 hour game (which we watch for over 3 hours) has an average of 11 minutes of actual game when measured from "snap" to "whistle"...

[dolo amber]

8. YEAH!!

What he said!! :D :bounce:

I watched the wretched Angel's and Giant's series last year; I would have watched whoever it was this year. Bonus that it's actually my beloved Yankees, but it's the tradition, love of the game, and the fact that it's the last hurrah until spring that keeps me tuned in.

[HuckleB]

13. Wretched?

Sorry, but the Angels/Giants offered a great series. Much more entertaining than this year's series, thus far.

[dolo amber]

24. Well, in fairness

It wasn't wretched at all. I was just bitter that they beat the Twins, who beat the Yankees, which made them the 3rd best in the American league. Which only proves that I am just LOOKING for reasons to be miserable. :D

[Loonman]

9. Feh

just give the Yankees the trophy and save us the boredom.

[VermontDem2004]

10. Did you say that in 2001

[Braden]

14. I dont care who wins

but I am watching. I wont stay up past 11, if it isn't over by then I don't care enough to watch. It is great baseball of course.

If I had to pick I would take the Marlins. I dont think they can, but It sounds as if Stienbrenner might go ******* bananas if they lose and can everyone. Naturally as a Red Sox fan I would love that. one screw up from the pitching staff and Stottlemyre is gone. And I think Pettitte leaves with him for Texas. Good times indeed. That said I would rather clean toilets than watch Jeff Lauria hold the world series title.

Keep in mind that I am one of about 20 thirty something males who doesn't give a damn about the NFL.

[HuckleB]

15. There are more of us than you think.

I don't mind football as a game, but I do mind what the NFL has done to it. And even an older version of the game has never held a candle to baseball. And I can name 30 or 40 friends in the same category (30 something males who could give a rip about the NFL).

[Braden]

19. phew

I was starting to question myself.

The guys on the street ask "where did you watch the game on sunday" and I laugh. If they only knew some of the things I watch while the game is on.

I was never in too deep, but when it became the "give us a stadium or we will move" league, I really stopped trying to care.

The patriots wanted to go to Hartford, don't let Rhode Island hit you on the ass on the way out.

[VermontDem2004]

20. so?

I can name over 30 males AND females who can give a rip about MLB

[HuckleB]

25. Good for you.

We were discussing the stereotype that says all males under 40 are obsessed with football.

[VermontDem2004]

31. What stereotype?

Surprised I haven't heard of it because I know men much older then 40 that love the game of football. Please I did not expect this thread to be against MLB vs Football.

[HuckleB]

34. What's your problem today?

Yeah, men over 40 watch the game. That doesn't dismiss the stereotype, even if "haven't heard of it." Sorry, but it seems like you want to fight or something. I'm not playing.

[VermontDem2004]

37. I want a fight?

lol, ok :eyes: I just thought people should see this article because I thought it was a good one but somehow it turned into a football vs baseball thread.

[HuckleB]

42. You're funny.

You brought up the football/baseball bit in your first post. Did you forget that? Further, we have had to endure football fans need to bash baseball throughout the playoffs. Did you forget that? Sorry, if some of us choose to offer a different perspective on things.

[VermontDem2004]

44. This is my first post on this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=310082#310255

[HuckleB]

58. Yep, it sure is.

Already read it.

[Braden]

26. this isnt a rip on the NFL VD04

I am stating that I am watching the World Series but I should point out that I dont care about the NFL. Others have shifted their focus to football. Those people are tuning out the World Series in record numbers.

[Kellanved]

16. Have fun

I'll stick to the Champion's League.

[Braden]

33. I wish I could watch it live more often

we get the occasional UEFA Cup final on ESPN2, and there is a good sunday show that does EPL wrap ups. I can watch serie A in spanish on telemundo but that gets hard to follow.

[Kellanved]

46. about the same with US sports here

A weekly one hour show about the main US leagues (MLB, NFL, MBA, NHL) and sometimes a game (Superbowl and the other finals).
There is a subscription channel which airs most games from those leagues live, but few people want to watch US Sports and even fewer want to do so at 2AM. The channel airs all Champion's league games ,the Bundesliga and the Premier League live as well - US sports isn't it's main source of viewers.

[Braden]

48. Germany

I love the Bundesliga. When I am in Europe I don't worry about US sports, I get right into whatever is going on wherever I am.

we can pay $6 per month or so for FoxSports World which is sort of a sky tv deal. But I have enough to do as is.

[underpants]

17. I watched it Saturday night

And in Miami we get the added bonus of watching them play baseball on a football field or the other way around. Either way More isn't crazy about it.

[fishnfla]

29. LOL-My BiL is blaming the Marlins for Mare's miss

was he kicking from second base or something?

He's all for the Marlins having their own digs now.

[underpants]

52. If memory serves these teams used to split time with baseball

SF 49'ers and Giants
SD Chargers and Padres
Cleveland Browns and Indians
Baltimore Colts and O's


They should quit whining and kick the damned ball.

[VermontDem2004]

53. The Raiders and A's share a field too

[underpants]

54. I knew I forgot one

Didn't the Jets play at Shea for a while? I loooooooong time ago I think.


I know they used to play games at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Gronds. I think one of the Chicago teams played in Wrigley too.

[VermontDem2004]

55. Before Coors Field was built

I believed the Rockies played on Mile High Stadium, but it was only for one year I think.

[underpants]

56. Hmmm I bet the ball flew there

DC's RFK stadium was of course built exclusively for baseball. An aerial shot makes it obvious.

The overlap of football and baseball used to be a constant thing and teams (as well as kickers) had to take it into account especially if it was raining. I guess with the advent of single use stadiums we don't see it as much and Sunday it was odd to see the Dolphin Pat game on the infield.

It used to be a lot of the west coast games had that going on. I never noticed it was gone.

[TheZoo]

62. Yes they did

In fact, the Amazin's messed up the Jets' schedule in 1969. My friend who's a Jets fan still wont forgive them for messing up the Jets' chances in 1969-70 for a repeat. :evilgrin:

[fishnfla]

61. the Packers usta play at County stadium

not so long ago

[underpants]

63. Oh yeah what was it two home games per season?

Damn forgot about that one too.

[youngred]

65. I do too

Mare never misses from 35 TWICE in one game. He hardly misses at all.

:grr: godamn marlins may cost us the division title

[HuckleB]

21. Anyway, yeah, I'm watching.

Football is a made-for-tv-and-tv-advertising sport. There are tons of places to stop the game and make money. This alone makes football more lucrative in the age of television. In addition, the one game a week schedule offers a scarcity that focuses more attention on specific games, thus increasing ratings compared to other major sports. Further, the NFL has done a great job of marketing by comparison. It has, strangely, gone backward in this department the past couple years, as it focuses on its core audience, rather than continuing to work to expand its audience. As for the Super Bowl, it's really not a marker of the popularity of the sport, as much as it is a marker of the ability of marketers to invade our consciousness. How many people go to Super Bowl parties and never even notice that the TV is on? How many people watch the ads and get up for food and drink while the game is going? It's a very interesting phenomena.

Anyway, baseball is still incredibly popular, and likely to increase in popularity. But it is a game of the community, of attendance, not television. Though I do watch it on TV every chance I get.

[VermontDem2004]

27. Please provide sources to those claims

How many people go to Super Bowl parties and never even notice that the TV is on? How many people watch the ads and get up for food and drink while the game is going? It's a very interesting phenomena.

Now I didn't want to start a which sport is better then this sport thread I just wanted to post what I thought was a good article. The Super Bowl rakes in high ratings believe it or not and people actually watch the game believe it or not, it is simply not true that people don't watch the game. I remember everytime the Super Bowl comes around or the playoffs for that matter people are always talking about who they want to win or so on and I only know a few Yankees fans or a few baseball fans but would rather watch their NFL team play on Sunday. Yes the Super Bowl is advertised but so is the world series on Fox's sister networks and all of the sports shows talk about it. They have plenty of times to advertise there are at least 18 opportunities to advertise in the middle of the inning and after the inning and whenever a pitcher is pulled. Please stop comparing NFL to the MLB they are two different sports and they are not necessarily the same some like NFL more and some like MLB more that is America.

[HuckleB]

32. Really?

Because I'm just yacking, while your replies have been terse and almost angry. I asked questions. I didn't make claims. Yet you put words in my mouth. Whatever.

If you want to believe that everyone at Super Bowl parties gives a crap about the game, that's your choice. It's nowhere near my experience.

[VermontDem2004]

36. How can you tell my replies have been angry

on a message board? Surprised you can tell what the tone of my voice is through a message board, anyways it's nowhere near my experience. People watching commercials and get up to get something to drink or eat while the game is on. :eyes:

[HuckleB]

39. .

Give me a break, and give it a rest. If the tone was actually different, fine. I don't think it was. Roll your eyes some more to prove me wrong. Oh, that hurts.

Cheers!

[VermontDem2004]

41. Cheers

:toast:

[youngred]

64. I've been watching

but its not as interesting anymore. They're is no spark, no jolt, no excitement, no drive.

:shrug: ah well