The Cinderella World Series

There is a phrase, paybacks are a bitch, and if there was ever a payback to MLB, this year’s World Series was it. They only good to come out of it was that many young Phillies fans were still not tucked in bed when the Philadelphia Phillies jumped joyously on field and were presented the 2008 World Series Trophy.

In a bygone age, my youth long past, playoffs and the World Series were viewable in under 4 hours. The World Series games started at 7:00 in their time zone, not 8:00, which is really between 8:30 and 8:45 due to televised pre-game crap, the TV viewer must suffer through. The games would end between 10-11:00PM, and school children were allowed to stay up and watch. The games did not impact on their being awake in school the next day. How do I know all this, I lived it before Bud Selig and his prime time marketing of MLB.

The 2008 World Series drew an overall 8.2 market share for all the televised games. This is the lowest ratings recorded in the history of the televised World Series. Prior to this the 2006 World Series between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals was the lowest with a 10.1 market share.

But who cares about ratings, the fans care about the game, and really the Rays don’t have a fan base. If it wasn’t for all those other MLB teams, in particular the Yankees, the Rays would have a negative a balance. Those who watched were most Philly Fans.

Now back to the ratings, are they are a big dud for Bud, of course; but considering the lopsided fan base, that the Phillies drew 8.2, that kudos for the Phillies. If a more fan oriented team like the Red Soxs, Yankees or Indians had been the AL opponent, the ratings would have been above 14.

What does that mean for the Rays, it means build on your market. You have a decent team, although no one batted well during the playoffs. But you played in the Fall Classic; the only competition were 2nd place means something; time to analyze your faults and build on your strengths. Despite what the sports pros are saying, about the World Series and the World Series ratings, the Rays are not a bad team.

The Rays now need to market to get fans. Hoisting the American League Championship banner will be the first step. Playing to that banner will be the second. In a league where the majority of the championship banners are held by the New York Yankees, you retired the Yankees from playoff participation for the first time since 1994.

The Phillies have always had a good team, ask all those NY Mets fans. Do they deserve their trophy, yes they do. They kept their eye on the prize. Are the Rays a bad team, no they are not, that AL banner they are designing for their 2009 Opening Day proves it; but unfortunately neither the Phillies or Rays are American sweethearts like the Yankees, Red Soxs, Cardinals or Cubs so the writers have to rate this a lackluster Word Series with stepsisters playing. Poo on the writers.

In my final act of Bud bashing for today, there was the $3,000,000 FOX took and paid a partial sum to MLB to delay Game 5 for the Barack Obama infomercial. Really Bud, can’t you stand your ground. Even Disney passed on the money and showed regular programming at 8:00PM.

Kudos to the Phillies, even more kudos to the Rays, this is was baseball is about, it’s not over to the last out and anything can happen. It’s not the divine right of the Yankees to win all the time and occasionally a Cinderella story unfolds. Most of of all thousands of young Philly Phanatics got to watch their team hoist the World Series Trophy live and not on the morning news because of the game delay on Monday. Only a Fairy Godmother could do that.

There is No Snow In Baseball

It was bound to happen sooner or later, a World Series delayed on the premise of snow. Of course most of us with any sense believed it would only happen if Boston, Milwaukee or Colorado was in the Fall Classic, not a snow in Philadelphia in October.

Snow has been the vex of Bud Selig since he started tinkering with the schedule. First we moved up the start or the season, to give more off days. This cause a multitude of snow outs in the north.

Last year Selig announced he would schedule more off days so that prime time viewing of the playoffs and Fall Classic would benefit the fans. Who was Bud kidding, it was to benefit the advertisers who would then pay the channels big bucks, who would pass the cash onto MLB. Bud's affinity for snow would have better served him a the Commissioner of the NBA, at least the only snow the NBA deals with is the dry powdered kind sold illicitly to players who think that illegal drugs are not illegal for professional athletes.

Anyway the Philadelphia snow out of the delayed rain out is Bud's fault. Place the blame squarely with him. Bud Selig, not in it for the fans, it is for himself and his checkbook.

No one item I must note is the unfair chastisement of the delay of tonight's Game 5 Part II by Casey & Rossi, aka " The Jersey Guys" on NJ 101.5FM. They, Casey & Rossi, were chastising MLB for calling tonight's game because of the weather. Originally the rain was supposed to end by game time with high winds. There was never supposed to be snow. However by the end of the business most of eastern PA and most of NJ north of Trenton had been dusted with the white stuff. Most of NJ was a Shadow Traffic nightmare by 2PM when the Jersey Guys went on air.

The decision of MLB , rain or snow to postpone the Game 5 Part 2 was in my minds the only intelligent decision of Bud Selig in this decade. I had been at a client site in Princeton, and was traveling home through Pine Barrens at 2PM. The road conditions coupled with the visibility were extremely hazardous; and it was even rush hour yet.

For those listening to the Jersey Guys, there complaint was calling the game because of the weather conditions. I assume they tune out during the traffic reports, had they tuned in, they would have realized that asking 48,000+ to re-trek to South Philly for the game would have been irresponsible.

Was MLB right; to postpone the completion of Game 5 till Wednesday? I think so. I was out driving in daylight on slippery roads. It would have not been prudent to have people risk their lives in the current weather conditions with hazardous winds forecasts added. Winds that with a very wet ground might bring down trees and power lines. Add the alcohol factor to that, and you have a potential for catastrophe.

So what has been learned form this experience, not much, Bud Selig continues to demonstrate he is incapable of learning. yes a few weeks ago, he re-thought the scheduling of the playoffs, too many off days. In reality I doubt it was his brilliant original idea, but based on the lower ratings the baseball playoffs were getting in the face of the superior college football on Saturday, Sunday night NFL game,s and the start of the Hockey and NBA season. Loyal baseball fans will tune in, but those sports seasonal fans, weren't staying tuned to the MLB playoff.

Selig has yet to learn the season is too long. The addition of the Wild Card and the virtual extinction of weekend doubleheaders lengthens tunes out the fan. The only doubleheaders are for make up games. Outside of those games, they are not scheduled, too taxing on the players; high potential for injuries. For the first 40 years of baseball, the double header on a weekend was a staple of the sport. And look a the long list of talent, Gehrig, Mantle, DiMaggio, Ripken, and the others who played in the age of the doubleheader.

Shorten the season, start in mid April, not end of March, bring back the doubleheaders, and get the World Series over with by Columbus Day. But of course whats good for the fans, isn't' good for baseball; because Bud Selig like George Steinbrenner isn't dong it for the fans, he is doing it for the money.

Stains on the New Yankee Stadium

On Sunday, the ESPN program , "Outside the Lines" did a piece on the tax assessment scam the NYC Government of Major Bloomberg did for the New York Yankees. Seems concrete hardness is not the only problem with the New Yankee Stadium.

For those who missed it, the land the new stadium is built on was reassessed at 60 times it's worth. This was done to enable the New York Yankees Organization to qualify for US Government bonds to build the new digs. Yes George Steinbrenner and family are footing the cost, but on one of the greatest financing scams perpetuated on the Americans since Peter Minuet bought Manhattan for $24.00 in beads from the American Indians.
The issue of concrete hardness, much like the issue of financing of the new Stadium will not halt construction. However both elements loom bad for Major Bloomberg when he has sought to circumvent the law.

For those that care or those that don't, NYC Major Bloomberg is seeking a 3rd term. Three consecutive terms are not allowed by the NYC Constitution. Bloomberg, because he thinks he is the only one who can save NYC in our depressed economy feels the city needs him. As such he has won approval of the NYC Council to run for a 3rd term. The council has no legal authority to canhge the law, lawsuits are now being filed to overturn the vote. But apparently Bloomberg believes he can make law any way he wants; God forbid the citizens actually vote on the subject. The voted to ban 3 terms, they shoudl have the say in overturning it.
I find all the negative things unfolding around the new stadium scary. The scariest of which occurred today.

This morning I got a phone call from Joe in the Yankee Ticket Office. He explained the call was courtesy call, to inform me I would receive my invoice in Early January for the seats in the new Stadium. He asked me if I had any questions. I had plenty:

• NET ?: "Where are my seats"
• NYY Joe's Reply: "They will be assigned in a few weeks, we are too busy and overloaded to let each seat holder know their individual seat location personally. This will be your only call till you are invoiced."
• NET ?: "What if I don't like them"
• NYY Joe's Reply: "Reject them and you will be reassigned to a pool with other ticket holder who rejected their first assignment, then you will be given another assignment in order of seniority."

The concrete didn't bother me, that NYC construction.

The money game by Bloomberg's administration and the Yankees to inflate the land value to get US Gov't financing didn't bother me, because that's also NYC Construction.

The attitude of the Yankees, of not having time to call ticket holders to tell them their set options, that bothered me. It brothers it's not about the fans; if it were, I'd be getting a phone call before being invoiced asking me if I accepted my seat assignment.

At the ground breaking for the new Stadium, George Steinbrenner, said he was doing it for the fans. He lied, he's doing it for his self; and it got me to thinking. With all the lying and cheating around the new stadium , I hope it does not make it cursed. The honorable tradition of the NY Yankees, the mystique may prefer to stay at the old site. Why would the ghosts of historic Yankees want to inhabit the new place when it is shrouded in some much dishonor?

Old Yankee Stadium may be called the House that Ruth built, but it was more than Babe Ruth. Their was Gehrig, Mantle, DiMaggio, Berra and scores of honorable Yankees. For an team that prides itself in it's tradition and honor, it's management has a few lessons to learn from the ghosts. Yankee Management has not been honorable, at least not with fans.

It's time for Yankee Management to become honorable, because all the payroll in the world won't keep the fans in their seats if they play poorly and lose games. And besides Management should practice what it preaches. If they want the players to honor tradition, then Management must also honor tradition.

What's In a Name?

You have to wonder what effects team names and uniforms have on the players. On a local note I look to the NY Mets and the NY Jets. Both closely linked in a name rhyme game, and both providing more misery and pain then joy and pride to their fans.

Look now at the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have languished at the abyss of the American League since their conception in 1998. Now in 2008 with a shortened name and modified uniform, they sit at the precipice of the Big Show, the World Series.

In 2006, the Rays began rebuilding. In 2008 , a new name and new uniform appeared. The changes being prominently marketed with these this team being the new and improved Rays. Who knew?

Is it the name or the new uniform or is it the attitude, the positive attitude. Yes the team is improved, but as the sports has shown you can be the best team on paper and not make the finals. The Yankees were great on paper the last two years. However they missed the Big Show. Why, because the Yankees seemed like not all of them believed.

The Rays will start their final quest for perfection this week, and if I were the Philadelphia Phillies I would worry and lose sleep. The Rays believe, maybe true believers that they are the best team in baseball. A positive attitude can go long for success, as as long as they believe they can succeed, the St. Petersburg Times will be able to showcase another Tampa area resident showing off his World Series Trophy. No not George Steinbrenner, principal owner of the New York Yankees, but Stuart Sternberg, principal owner of the Tampa Bay Rays.

In the minds of the Rays, they have conquered the best baseball has tossed at them. They have risen from the abyss of the AL East cellar to the American League Champs. In the course of that they have run over the almighty New York Yankees and the Boston Red Soxs. They may be concerned about the Phillies, but they have the edge, success and a positive attitude.

That said I predict a great world series, as the Phillies have been absent from the Big Show. Balance that with the we can do do it Rays, and anything can happen.

Photos Final Game

I have posted a slide show of photos from the Final NYY Home game at the bottom of my blog.

The Last Yankee Stadium Yankee Game

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This link above will take you to site where I have posted my pictures, good and not so good of Sunday's night's game. I will be posting a slide of those picture on this blog in a day or so, but this other link will enable those who actually want a photo to get one for their own scrapbook.

I never thought I would be part of something historical. However the Yankees and Yankee Stadium are history; and in recent years I have been privileged to be there for significant historical events. This game is history now, the last one ever at what will soon be labeled, Old Yankee Stadium. It surpasses the first game back after 9/11 and any playoff/World Series game I attended. Yankee Stadium , new or old will forever be historical, even after it is reduced to rubble and parkland.

Despite initial announcement, all the plans have changed. The first hint was when premium seats ticketing occurred in early summer, and then fans were told recently all ticket plans would change. A few days later the Yankees and the City of New York announced the stadium shell would not be preserved, the stadium would be demolished and made into a park. the City tool all efforts to protect Yankee Stadium Sunday, not to help the coffers of souvenir seat sales, but because nothing will be done with the stadium until the Yankees are absolutely sure new digs will be available. Until that time, no deconstruction will occur in the grand old Cathedral of Baseball.

For those still wishing a look, the Yankees are still running tours. Stadium tours will run until such time as the Yankees begin to ship operations across the street.

I will have further thoughts on Sunday's final baseball game in a few days. And while there will never be another MLB pitch thrown there, there is still a place to go and see for those who want a tour. But don't wait too long to go.

No Crying In Baseball

It was inevitable, a Yankee no Post Season year for Derek Jeter. It is amazing how many Yankee broadcasters and fans feel it is an inalienable right of Fall for the Yankees to play October baseball. The season is no officially over and the blaming has begun; but yet among the blaming their are still cries of the Yankkes are hanfinig in their for the Wild Card.

Teams are just that teams. The Yankees have no individual to blame for this failure, it is a team failure. Fault cannot be fixed on the manager, the coaches or any one player. The Yankees on paper in March looked great, but paper was starting to be shredded before April ended.

The Yankees of 1996 were a young team with some veteran players. They had an astute manager with great help. Joe Torre, Mel Stollemyre, Don Zimmer, Jose Cardenal, Chris Chambliss, Tony Cloninger and Willie Randolph.

The team had a balance of youthful energy and veteran talent, pitching and batting.

Compare these stats and draw your own conclusions:

This clearly shows the Yankees don't have pitching and don;t have the hitting required for Post Season. Home runs don't put World Series Trophies in the case, unless you have men on base when the ball goes out.

My Red Soxs friends think I am pronouncing the Yankees dead too early. I don't think they have any magic tricks. However given the Yankees lackluster performance in the the last five preseason, maybe this is the kick in the butt they need. They will wake up tot the reality they don't go to the playoffs by divine right, they get through through consistently playing great baseball.

Nine Days of Other Teams

I have just returned from 4 days in Red Sox Nation. This was preceded by 2 days in Chicago and 3 days in Milwaukee. Chicago was a side trip due to the Nor'easter that shut down Newark Airport, preventing me from getting home.

I got a chance to watch the Brewers on local TV while in Milwaukee. The Brewers have the stuff to make a run at the Chicago Cubs, they are now only 4.5 games back. More than that they have the player talent that could assure a post season appearance by the Brewers in the Fall Classic.

Right now I see the the following teams representing the NL in October, The Cubs, the Brewers, Diamondbacks and possibly the Mets. The Mets are not a sure thing. Philadelphia still lurks in the curtains. For the Mets they need to stay one step in front of the Phillies in the home streak.

Chicago is clearly the land of the Cubs. My seven hours of waiting around O'Hare for my flight to be allowed to leave taught me that the White Soxs are just that other team. The success and domination of the Cubs in the NL Central has been like a shot of Adrenalin for the long suffering Cubs fans. They are counting on this Presidential Election year, in which a man from Chicago is on the slate as the a sign of hope. They remember how the Red Soxs upset the Yankees in the last Presidential election year. They consider 2008 their chance to erase the curse of the Billy Goat.

I spent Tuesday through Friday outside of Boston. There is no Yankee baseball in Boston unless you have access to the YES Channel in your room. I don't . To ask for the Yankee channel, even if they are playing Boston is grounds for ejection or a beating, maybe both. I quietly chose to watch the Red Soxs. And I am am concerned.

I am not concerned about the Red Soxs, I am concerned about the New York Yankees. The Yankees are 9.5 game back in 3rd place in the AL East. To make the playoffs, they need to win at least 32 games. I just don't see it happening. The Red Soxs are posed to take the Wildcard and worse yet, the Tampa Bay Rays mostly likely have the AL East sewn up; unless they collapse like the Mets did last year. Frankly I don't see that happening.

This may be the first year in his time with the Yankees, that Derek Jeter does not earn playoff bonus money. Clearly he will be a spectator and not a participant this year in October. September 21 will truly be the last game at Old Yankee Stadium.

This week the NYY Yankees also announced the Opening Day 2009 will be April 16 against the Cleveland Indians. The chose being made due tot eh fanfare that will surround the opening of the new digs. No one wants a postponement due to snow. Rain however is another issue. With all the money spent on the new digs, no roof was built. I would optioned for a roof, for those early and late season games and those foul weather days in summer when thunderstorms delay the start of games.

How to Get the MoJo Back - Old Timers!

There is nothing more mystic then the gathering of the the retired New York Yankees on Old Timer's Day. This year the Yankees went all out. Just about everyone still alive and breathing made it back. Noticeable absent, was Rick Cerone and Jim Leyritz. Also absent was Jim Kaat, who considering the litany of ex-Yankees who appeared, was most likely invited. Kaat however lost his wife, Maryann on July 22 to bladder cancer, 10 days after Bobby Murcer, an Old Timer's day fixture passed away from brain cancer.

In absent of some the greatest deceased Yankees heroes, their widows were presented.. Representing their husbands were Mrs. Elston Howard, Mrs. Billy Martin, Mrs. Thurmon Munson, Mrs. Jim Hunter and Mrs Phil Rizzuto.

Given their lackluster playing of late, the active Bombers went on to beat the Angels 8-2. Moose put on a great pitching performance, and although his count was low. He left after 7 full inning leaving Yankee relievers Jose Veras and Brian Bruney to finish.

My friend Mike came with me, we also give Mike some Mojo. Mike (NY Yankee Update) has a lousy track record at Yankee games. He was until Saturday 0-8. We cured that with a visit to Monument Park, Mike's first. Mike pasi tribute to the greats, including Billy Martin. That ended Mike's curse.

Scenes from the 2008 All Star Fan Fest

At the bottom of this page are my photos from Fanfest