Before the MLB postseason began, network executives were drooling at the prospect of a big-market ratings bonanza.
There were the Cubs in the National League, aiming to finally beat the Curse of the Billy Goat.
In the AL, it was the Yankees and the Red Sox, both of whom promised draw to big TV audiences across the country.
A Red Sox-Cubs series would have been a particular boon. It almost happened in 2003. 2007 looked to be the year the dream finally came true.
Unfortunately, things haven't quite panned out.
As I'm penning this article (does anyone pen anymore?), the Cleveland Indians have just taken a 3-1 ALCS lead over the Red Sox, with the next game in Cleveland.
In the Senior Circuit, meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies (yes, that really is the name of a baseball team) are sitting at home waiting to face the AL winner.
I wonder how many inches of snow will be on the turf at Coors Field before Game Three of the Fall Classic.
Of course the Red Sox could still pull a miracle comeback à la 2004—and salvage a little sunshine for those network execs whose drool has turned to tears.
I might be a biased fan, but if the Sox can get another stellar performance from Josh Beckett in Game Five, and if their offense can quit playing like a remake of The Night Of The Living Dead, it just might happen.
Win in Cleveland, come home to friendly Fenway for Games Six and Seven, and who knows—some of those TV moguls might back away from the ledge on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building...and light a victory cigar in honor of Arnold "Red" Auerbach.
What the hell does Auerbach have to do with this article? Not a thing, but I couldn't come up with a snappier Bostonian ending.
My advice: Let it be, and light up a victory cigar of your own—no matter which team you root for.
Hey, everyone can dream, right?
5 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Dave Nemetz about 1 year ago
I was just thinking that. If you thought Tigers-Cardinals was a boring World Series, just wait for Rockies-Indians. I'm sure if the executives at Fox and ESPN had their way, they'd relocate all MLB teams to NY, Boston, and LA.
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Smith J. Howard about 1 year ago
Don't forget about the ever-so-sexy markets of Arlington, TX and Tampa, FL. Those two powerhouse cities should have at least 3 MLB teams each.
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Zander Freund about 1 year ago
I have to say: I strongly disagree with you guys here.
The Cleveland Indians haven't won the World Series since 1948. All in all, they've won two rings in over 100 years of existence as a franchise.
They've hosted the likes of legends such as Addie Joss, Bob Feller, Napoleon LaJoie, and more recently, Manny Ramirez and Omar Vizquel. They have a super-dedicated fanbase who never leaves their side.
And of course, they were the protagonist of the movie Major League.
The Indians are long overdue for a championship, as is the city of Cleveland. Not as long overdue as the Cubs, but surely more so than the Red Sox!
As for the Rockies: come on, jump on the bandwagon Mike! This team has won 20 OF THEIR LAST 21 GAMES. That is incredible no matter which way you cut it. These boys ought to be admired for all their hard work and resilience down the stretch.
Yes, they're an expansion franchise. Yes, they play in Coors field. But these boys are on fire and frankly it's pretty damn exciting.
Seems to me that nothing could be better than an Indians/Rockies World Series. Either a team who is long overdue for a ring is crowned champion, or a squad that has never had the chance and has made one of the greatest end-of-the-year runs in baseball history earns the title. Doesn't get much better than that.
That's surely preferable to the Red Sox, Yankees, or any team from Los Angeles being in the series. The Red Sox have now beaten the curse, so there's nothing exciting let for them to do. The Yankees have 26 world championships to their name...so what's one more? While it's been awhile for the Dodgers, they still won two rings back in the 80's.
And the Angels? Well the Angels are just kinda lame. What kind of name is "Angels" for a sports franchise anyway?
The Rockies, meanwhile, are a cool franchise (no pun intended). They represent the beautiful state of Colorado, who's sports teams are often forgotten in the big picture but have managed to make a name for themselves in the past few decades. They are playing the best baseball of their lives, and are off to prove themselves in their first World Series appearance.
Some fans may be bored with a Rockies/Indians show down, but I for one am eagerly anticipating such a match up!
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Mosang Miles about 1 year ago
I definitely think this World Series will be fantastic, whether Cleveland or Boston make it. But I have to agree that an Indians-Rockies matchup won't be great for ratings. Cleveland is the 16th-biggest TV market in America, according to www.mediainfocenter.org, and Denver is 18th (as opposed to 5th-ranked Boston). I think the World Series will be really competitive and likely the first since 2003 to go more than 5 games. I will definitely be watching it, regardless of whether Fox is happy.
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Mike Allen about 1 year ago
My point is not that the games, themselves, may not be exciting. It is more that a World Series involving the Rockies and the Indians will be a TV ratings bust, except of course, in Colorado and Ohio.
Sure, each of those teams, in their own way, have players that can add some excitement to the games, on the field, but in the living rooms of America, or the sports bars of America, no way.
That's my point in this article, the TV ratings, and nothing else. El Busto.
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