Comments on: Do or Die Time For Sox

By: Ken Fang

Ken Fang — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:30:18 +0000

Chris is correct. People like familiarity and the Red Sox bring a brand to the table for MLB and Fox.

I hate to say it, but not having the Yankees in the postseason hurt TBS in the ratings. While I loved seeing the Yankees out, TV executives did not. TBS’ ratings were down more than 20% this season as compared to last season.

While having RI’ers Rocco Baldelli and Dan Wheeler in the WS if the Rays make it might raise the ratings in Providence, they won’t translate nationally.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:50:02 +0000

We weren’t full of injuries in 2004 & 2007; we just weren’t playing well. This time, we’re injured AND not playing well. That’s the difference.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:46:40 +0000

That overused “If you like baseball, it’ll be a fun series to watch” argument is getting ridiculous – if you’re a baseball fan, any WS matchup would arguably be fun to watch, so quit relying on that.

What Bruce and Ken say is correct from the standpoint that neither team can claim to have the type of following that either of the other two possible WS contenders – i.e. Sox and Dodgers – typically enjoy. As a result, a potential Rays-Phils WS won’t have the same widespread appeal. While some number of people outside of Philly and Tampa will be happy to see said teams in the Series, casual fans won’t tune in to the degree that they would have had they had a chance to see a team go back-to-back.

By: Angry Old Bastard

Angry Old Bastard — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:40:05 +0000

…yeah Ken, that’s pretty obvious. But once again if you enjoy the GAME OF BASEBALL it’s should be a good series. I couldn’t give a rat’s ass less about Fox’s ratings…Both Philly and Tampa are loaded…. It’s not like the Cardinals snuck in there, where you would have Albert Pujols and a cast of mediocre players.

I think the Rays and Phillies are both fun teams to watch. ( if it comes to that.)

By: Jason Coyote

Jason Coyote — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:17:53 +0000

Disagree a little with you, Siggy. Same argument could be made for the Yankees of ‘96-’03 as the Red Sox today. When NY was in the World Series you would have just as many baseball fans tuning in to watch them lose as win. If it improbably turns out to be a Boston-Philly WS you will have plenty of anti-Boston folks checking out the games and pulling for the Phillies.

By: Jason Coyote

Jason Coyote — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:12:29 +0000

I would say it just gives people two extra days to think that they would have a chance. While we keep hearing the Sox have Beckett & Lester (or flip the order if you wish) for Games 6 & 7, the Rays have Shields and Garza, who have both shut down the Red Sox in this series.

You didn’t get into specifics on the ‘07 comeback, but the Sox had more going for them than this year’s team does. A hot Beckett was starting in Game 5, so the general thinking of fans and media was if Josh could pitch well that night in Cleveland they would go back to Boston riding some momentum and facing some shaky Cleveland pitching. Much different scenario this year, and it’s the Rays who are riding the hotter pitching right now.

By: Siggy

Siggy — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:33:23 +0000

Because I live in Boston. It looks like the Sox are done (the karma bank does not allow three withdrawals when a team goes down 0-3, 1-3 then 1-3 again, let’s face it) and Tampa/Philly will be a good series.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:24:30 +0000

Then why are you on the Boston Sports website?

By: Siggy

Siggy — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:17:58 +0000

I disagree. I think people nationally are sick of Boston and the Red Sox and will embrace Rays/Phillies. I know I will.

By: Rick Mc

Rick Mc — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:28:19 +0000

What did the comebacks in ‘04 and ‘07 feel like? The Red Sox got smoked at home in Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS. Who contemplated that the Red Sox would come back. It took Game 4 to think they had a chance. All it takes is a win tonight to make people change their minds.