No-See TV: Series Takes A Hit
The good news for NBC Sports is that the Marlins-Indians seven-game struggle was not the lowest-rated World Series in history.
The bad news is, it was the second lowest-rated World Series.
The rating for this year’s Series was 16.8 (one rating point equals 980,000 homes). The bottom-of-the-barrel number for a World Series was a 16.4 for the Oakland’s earthquake-interrupted sweep of San Francisco in 1989.
Back to good news for NBC and baseball: Sunday night’s captivating Game 7 did a 24.5, making it the highest-rated World Series game since the 32.2 for Game 7 of the dramatic 1991 Minnesota-Atlanta final.
The ratings for the World Series have been in decline since ‘91.
Games that run too late for younger viewers to see the conclusion, thereby dousing their interest in baseball, are one problem facing the networks and the sport.
Baseball’s best
Following are major league player rankings, by league and position, as compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau. Rankings are based on statistics over two seasons and include figures such as plate appearances, batting average, on-base percentage, home runs and RBIs. For pitchers, the stats include record, ERA, strikeouts, appearances and saves.
A.L.: First base - Frank Thomas, White Sox; second base - Chuck Knoblauch, Twins; shortstop - Alex Rodriguez, Mariners; third base - Matt Williams, Indians; outfield - 1, Bernie Williams, Yankees; 2, Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners; 3, Manny Ramirez, Indians; catcher - Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers; designated hitter - Edgar Martinez, Mariners; starting pitcher - Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays; relief pitcher - Mariano Rivera, Yankees.
N.L.: First base - Jeff Bagwell, Astros; second base - Craig Biggio, Astros; shortstop - Barry Larkin, Reds; third base - Ken Caminiti, Padres; outfield - Barry Bonds, Giants; Ellis Burks, Rockies; Larry Walker, Rockies; catcher - Mike Piazza, Dodgers; starting pitcher - John Smoltz, Braves; relief pitcher Trevor Hoffman, Padres.
Davis earns Hutch award
Eric Davis, who received the Roberto Clemente award last week after coming back from colon cancer surgery, will receive the Hutch Award. The honor is given for dedication to team, community and family, and for competitive spirit and battling through adversity. The award, voted on by 20 present and ex-major leaguers, is named after former pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, who died of cancer in 1964.
Around the majors
Cleveland pitcher Orel Hershiser filed for free agency Wednesday, possibly marking the start of an offseason of change for the A.L. champs. Infielder Kevin Seitzer, who intends to retire, also was among 14 who filed. Players may file through Nov. 10 and start discussing contract terms with any team the following day. Also filing were Kansas City designated hitter Chili Davis, Baltimore DH Harold Baines, Yankees outfielder Tim Raines and St. Louis reliever Dennis Eckersley… . Florida pitcher Alex Fernandez had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and although he will miss the 1998 season, he is expected to pitch again… The Angels have told Tony Phillips, who was arrested on drug charges during the recent season, that they will not offer him a contract for next year… . The St. Louis Cardinals exercised Todd Stottlemyre’s $4.7 million option and exercised Delino DeShields’ $3 million option… . Paul Molitor, Buck Martinez, Larry Bowa and Tim Johnson are on GM Gord Ash’s short list to be the next manager in Toronto.