Diamond Sports looks to drop 11 MLB teams from Bally Sports regional networks
MLB Thread
As for as the MLB Playoffs going on now... these games become strangely empty-feeling when ‘Your’ team is no longer playing.
Sure, there is the skill of the remaining players to enjoy and the spirited contests among the remaining teams... but it’s so much more empty from when your own favorite team is involved. And so much more fun when they are.
At least College Ball keeps us engaged now and the NHL is gearing up. Thank God for Seasons overlap.
Sure, there is the skill of the remaining players to enjoy and the spirited contests among the remaining teams... but it’s so much more empty from when your own favorite team is involved. And so much more fun when they are.
At least College Ball keeps us engaged now and the NHL is gearing up. Thank God for Seasons overlap.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
MLB wasn't meant to have a long end-of-season playoff where all the championship leverage is determined.
Works great for the NBA and NHL, but different sports are different.
MLB was most popular when pennant races dominated the late season and then the few teams that had proven themselves superior over that long sample size collided together having played each other rarely or not at all during the season.
The sports industry is throwing that kind of excitement overboard as fast as it can.
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OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
As a St. Louis fan, my "ideal" of what a pennant race should look like will always be 1985. The Cardinals and Mets battled pretty much from June on in an epic race. Everyone knew only one of them was going to the playoffs. The Mets won 98 games that season and didn't make the playoffs because the Cardinals won 101 games.
Today, there would be zero drama associated with that type of season. Both teams would be in the playoffs comfortably. Baseball is so much worse because of that.
This is how we learn what Sports is really all about: Money, of course.
The more teams that make the MLB playoffs the more interest in those cities is goosed up in August and September and and media exposure and attendance, etc. increases. More money for owners and media folks. Fatter contracts for all involved.
Major Sports in America is basically 'Sports Entertainment' (Business) as the big pro wrestling outfit has set itself up as for years. So we fans get 'The Entertainment'. And the big boys get even more big bucks.
The only place for 'pure' baseball is a Little League Game. Maybe. Or old films of MLB baseball from the 1950s.
We engage in sport for the love of the game … and many of us dream of one day making the bigs. That’s it.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Does that scale infinitely?
The good folks at the Diamond Sports Group may have some thoughts on that.
This is the eternal struggle between Sports Participants and Fans.... vs. those who own Major League franchises.
We the People are in this for love of the Sports... 'love of the Game'. They are in this for love of something else. Different motives... different goals... different lusts for different kinds of success.
And as the saying goes... 'Never The Twain Shall Meet'.
Prime Example: The 2024 Chicago White Sox.
If the Tigers can get 2 starts out of Skubal, I think they beat the Indians in 5.
I think the Yankees sweep the Royals, and that’s where the Tiger’s miracle run stops. Skubal maybe shuts down that lineup once, but the Yankees take the other 4.
I have no clue what’s going to happen in the NL series. I mainly want to see Ohtani do a bunch of Ohtani things in the postseason, even if it mean the Dodgers go a long way.
I think the Yankees sweep the Royals, and that’s where the Tiger’s miracle run stops. Skubal maybe shuts down that lineup once, but the Yankees take the other 4.
I have no clue what’s going to happen in the NL series. I mainly want to see Ohtani do a bunch of Ohtani things in the postseason, even if it mean the Dodgers go a long way.
I don’t think Royals get swept. Not sure if they can win series, but would love to see Yankees not make it to WS. Other league, I don’t care who makes it. Wouldn’t mind seeing SD make it to WS, but I too want to see plenty of Ohtani so wouldn’t be heartbroken if they’re NL rep.