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| Hobby Forum Index » Sport - Baseball » 5 Reasons Why MLB Needs a Game 7... |
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| TMC... |
 Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:02 am |
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http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3710:5-reasons-why-mlb-needs-a-game-7&catid=79:matthew-coller-articles-archive&Itemid=176
The New York Yankees lead the World Series 3-2 over the Philadelphia
Phillies as the series returns to Yankee stadium for the final two
games. Yes, I’m aware there may end up being one game. But, no league
has ever needed a Game 7 more than Major League Baseball needs one
now. MLB Network analysts Matt Vergersian, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter
and Mitch Williams wrapped up their pre-game show by recognizing the
importance of a Game 7 all at once saying, “We don’t care who wins,
please just give us a game 7!”
Here are five reasons MLB NEEDS a Game 7:
-Steroids
Ah, the black eye. The ‘roid cloud has affected fans’ perception of
the league, possibly doing damage similar to that of the ‘94 strike,
making us doubt our heroes. But, like Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa
helped fans forget post-strike, there’s nothing like a Game 7 to heal
all wounds. And, the players who have been outed a la A-Rod, have been
forgiven and are presumably clean. The testing is there, no matter
what your opinion is on the testing, Major League Baseball is
perceived as being the cleanest it’s been since Reggie Jackson was an
Oakland A. Nevertheless, Game 7 drama and excitement would make even
the hardest cynic forget PEDs.
-TV Ratings
Last season’s World Series topped out at a 9.3 rating, this World
Series lowest rating is a 9.1 and highest a 13.5. Maybe we can’t go
back to the days were MLB was king, but drawing higher ratings builds
momentum for the league to compete against the mighty NFL. Think of it
this way: When selling MLB next year, if there is a Game 7, the league
can charge more from sponsors by proving its product can compete. If
the highest rating is a 13.5 so far, Game 7 would likely flirt with a
15, which would be the highest since the historic 2001 World Series,
which also went to seven games. Also good for the league, the mantra
“MLB is back” will undoubtedly spread.
-Historic Context
Yes, that word. Think of the Game 7s of the past. Names like
Mazeroski, Edgar Renteria, Luis Gonzalez, Johnny Podres etc. come to
mind when you think Game 7. Who would be this year’s Maz? A Game 7
would give 50 players a chance to stamp their names in history and
create unforgettable “remember that” moments. Sure, the game could be
a blowout, but just the potential of that moment would draw attention
back to Major League Baseball.
-Making up for lackluster Division and Championship series
Two sweeps in the American League and a sweep and a 3-1 result in the
National League Division Series made the MLB wish they had Tim Donaghy
calling balls and strikes. The Championship Series’ weren’t much
better going 4-2 and 4-1. So, the league only saw only 24 out of a
potential 34 games be played. That’s 10 missed ticket sales,
concessions sales etc. and also, six missed chances at a clinching
game, which ultimately would have meant boosted TV ratings. And six
series that completely failed to thrill fans. The World Series is the
last chance at a clinching game, which the league hasn’t seen since
2002, including series sweeps in ’04, ’05 and ’07.
-Redemption for all
The sweeps in the previously mentioned years are why redemption is
needed. Major League Baseball can redeem itself by making up for poor
World Series of the recent past; consider the casual fan who certainly
passed on Game 4 of Red Sox vs. Rockies. This Game 7 will bring in
that casual fan, especially considering how close the games have been,
out of five games so far, only one has not been separated by three
runs or less.
The Yankees can redeem themselves for a decade of failing to win with
the highest payroll and can finally justify outrageous ticket prices.
Keep in mind the Yankees drew around 4,000 less fans per game than in
2008.
Bud Selig can redeem himself for giving us the “Radar Game” from 2008.
Selig, FOX, owners and all who support Major League Baseball are
pleading, as the MLB Network crew said, “Please give us a Game 7!” |
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