TV ratings for the All-Star game cause for concern?
The American League came up on top 9-4 against the National Leauge in this year's All-Star game. The television ratings though were still pretty pathetic and continuing to slip lower. Tuesday night's game drew an 8.8 rating and a 15 share on Fox, down 7 percent from the 9.5 rating and 17 share of the last two years — the lowest previous numbers. Still, about 32.8 million people watched the game, a 7 percent improvement from last year's audience of 30.7 million - the largest audience since 1999. FWIW, the MLB gimmick of awarding the winning league home field advantage in the World Series does NOT seem to be having a positive impact on viewership of the game. If they need any consoling, it is widely accepted that the NHL, NBA and NFL all-star events have also been loing their lusture.
Sluggers put on show in home-run derby
Major League Baseball had its big guns out last night. The home run derby attracted a huge crowd at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and the millions of baseball fans who watched on TV. The two favorites, Barry Bonds and Samy Sosa did not fare too well. The two 'last minute' additions Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman, put on the real show as they battled for the crown. Tejada eventually came up on top as he beat out a weary Berkman in the final round, surpassing the hometown favorite's 4 homeruns with ease. These guys were hitting homeruns with so much ease it wasn't even funny...made you wonder if there was something special in their water or their bats!
Also at this event were 10 of the top 11 all-time home run leaders. Hank Aaron (755), Barry Bonds (681), Willie Mays (660), Frank Robinson (586), Mark McGwire (583), Harmon Killebrew (573), Reggie Jackson (563), Sammy Sosa (555), Mike Schmidt (548), and Rafael Palmeiro (541).
