Baseball on radio key in depression era--Bodley

MLB.com correctly cites baseball on radio as good depression-era value:

• (Bodley): "During the Great Depression, baseball was a great *soothing* factor for the general public.

Radio was just coming in as a popular way to experience baseball during the Great Depression in the 1930s, and it was just about the cheapest way for people to be entertained.

• For obvious reasons, attendance at ballparks plummeted, with a few exceptions

• like when the Yankees were in town or when a handful of night games was staged.

Radio was the key then and drew fans to the game during those tough times."...

• (When I attended games, I always brought my radio. Couldn't enjoy the game without it. sm)

Economic news not as bad as it could be for MLB:

• MLB has long term media contracts, and

• those saps will get stuck with the losses-not MLB.

MLB has revenues of $6 billion, but the article doesn't say how much of this is from MLB.com, profits from which are shared with all 30 teams. I heard widely varying amounts as to what was shared last year. Since the books are not made public on this issue, and it's not to Selig & Co.'s advantage to tell the truth about it, I disregard any number they throw out for public consumption.

• Scott Boras thinks MLB.com is perfectly positioned for the oncoming depression. He cites
• 'dramatic' revenue increases for all of baseball via MLB.com.(Who needs a stadium anyway?):

(MLB.com): "The internet may be the "radio" of this era.

• "(Scott) Boras says "the great thing about baseball is when it comes to the entertainment dollar it is the least expensive professional sport. And even if the family does stay home the game may be watched on the internet and

• those dollars have dramatically increased the revenues of the game.""...

*Reference is made to 'soothing' experience of baseball on radio which was true in the past, hardly ever today. Baseball on radio is best when you have natural talkers doing play by play, such as John Sterling and Jon Miller. Sterling in particular is one of the few left who speaks in a conversational tone of voice. The ESPN influenced play by play guys ratchet their voice up 20 decibels, ruin the fan experience with constant meaningless verbiage and all in a chirpy, sing song delivery rendering it impossible to listen to. There are very few 'natural talkers' in the world who also happen to be play by play guys, but the former should be a prerequisite. (sm)

• P.S. The 1927 Yankees created enough excitement to draw fans during the depression of the 1930's, according to Mr. Bodley.
• My guess is the 2008 Yankees
• won't have that effect.

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