Did you hear that?
For the second time in less than a week, Fox executives let out angst ridden screams. First the whole Manny vs. the Red Sox story was eliminated with the Dodgers, and now the Phillies will face a team that couldn't even sell out much less their own arena than stadiums across the country.
Phillies v. Rays.
Chew on that for a second.
Taste as good as a Red Sox vs. Dodgers WS?
Not for Fox management....
Even last year's Red Sox vs. Rockies series, with RSN fans across the country watching every play, still produced the second to last rated series in terms of television ratings ever.
Think the Rays and Phillies will beat that? Analysts say not. And I don't doubt them. Sure, the Rays from zero-to-hero story makes for great headlines, and most fans now know of Longoria, Upton and perhaps even Shields. Baldelli's story also makes for a heartwarming tale, as does Maddon's unorthodox views on baseball management.
Big ratings it does not.
For a World Series to rate, it requires a sub plot that non-partisan casual followers of baseball can be bothered to turn on the television set for. Manny trying to shove it to the Red Sox, or the Sox trying to shove it to Manny, etc.
This is why the CS normally rates higher than the World Series. Non-Yankees and Red Sox fans would still watch an ALCS between the two teams. Dodgers vs. Giants (not that such a matchup is likely in the near future) or a Cubs-Cardinals series would increase the ratings.
And honestly folks, ratings is what it's all about.
Ratings allow YES to generate enough income for the Steinbrenner family to consider buying every player in the MLB.
Ratings allow Fox and TBS to pay MLB enough money that allows the Mariners to give a 4 year $48m contract to Carlos Silva. And the SF Giants to sign Barry Zito to a $126m contract for that matter.
Ray-Phillies? As much as baseball purists might enjoy the quality of baseball, a ratings driver it ain't.
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