The Tigers have 112 games scheduled on television this season. A Major League Baseball schedule calls for each team to play 162. According to my math, 162-112 equals 50. This means 50 Tiger games will not be seen by fans from their couch. Reasons for this outcome do vary: the franchise called off negotiations with the interested affiliate, Mike Illitich prefers the other team he owns, and my favorite, the interest in the team has declined over the years. All of these are accurate assessments. I'd like to offer my opinion on what has contributed to this decision.
In Detroit, it's very fashionable to rip up the Tigers. It happens all the time, and for good reason. The team hasn't had a winning season since 1993. If you listen to local sports talk radio grease balls, they take it a step further and fire shots at the sport itself. They barely acknowledge the existense of a team in Detroit, as they'll talk about football in March instead of Spring Training. Grease such as this isn't worth the saliva in our mouths so we shouldn't acknowledge them either.
So we have a piss poor team and an example of reprehensible media coverage. Put these two together and you may be able to understand why the franchise is scared to have their games televised. The ratings would endure a severe beat down. What has to change of course is the team needs to start being a contender again so the fair weather in Detroit can change to sunshine.
2 comments:
Watch them change their tune once the team starts winning.
Here's another little tip for the DBs on the radio trashing baseball: Don't think you know the NFL. The Lions have stunk since time began. Plus pro football blows. Plus you're fat losers.
I know the tone of my blog seemed a little brash. It's just that 'the national pastime' is a real easy target for people who do not take the time to understand it in the digital world in which we live now. You'll notice, everything is timed or there is a clock somewhere. You don't see a clock in baseball.
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