Chris Russell for President of American League Baseball

• (Let Bud Selig continue on as President of the National League--my idea).

Now on XM, thankfully, is Chris Russell, an actual radio talent and personality. Chris understands baseball is about money, but he points out its broadcast schedule (especially tv) presents bigger problems than in other sports. I appreciate his approach, rather than just saying "it's all about money" as others do. The "money" argument doesn't always hold water---

• Baseball games aren't limited by a clock: It was 12:45 AM ET last night and the Cleveland-Red Sox game was still only in the 8th inning, Mr. Russell points out. Instead of just throwing in the towel, he asks why the game couldn't have started at 7PM ET?

If advertisers, the source of the money, are driving things, how can they benefit when their commercials are not seen? he wonders.

• I observe Bud Selig and Ed Randall (correctly self-described keeper of "conventional wisdom") with one main message: attendance and revenue figures today. Which is fine. But what provision is being made for the future? Using that logic, you'd have put your last dime in the stock market at its "all time high." It means nothing.

UPDATE: Selena Roberts writes in the NY Times, 10/15/07, that baseball's popularity is diminishing in part because it can't be seen (such as the current post season tv campaign). She says:

• "As baseball truisms go, you can’t hit what you can’t see. As viewing habits go, a sport can’t be a hit if it’s not seen. Football gets that. And with it, all the talent.
• Certainly baseball’s fat attendance is bursting with baby boomers. But the sport is an old flame for romantic types, as proved by numbers even sabermetric lords can wrap their seamheads around."

She continues citing statisitics about young American players choosing football over baseball.

• From NY Times article by Selena Roberts, "Football is Booming at Baseball's Expense," 10/15/07

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