What Fox Wants For The World Series... 2011 Edition

It has become a tradition at Sully Baseball. For the fifth consecutive, me and the staff try to figure out what Fox wants for their World Series match up and rank them from biggest ratings potential to absolute disaster.

We did it in 2007.

We did it in 2008.

We did it in 2009.

We made a video for it in 2010.

And now we have 2011.

Now keep in mind, this is not what I want nor what would make for the best baseball. This is solely taking into account what media markets and fan bases Fox wants to tap into.

And seeing that nobody in baseball seems to know how to market a team that doesn't play in Boston, New York or Philadelphia, there will be a lot of East Coast Bias.

Teams like the Rays, Diamondbacks and Brewers should be media darlings. But they aren't. That would take effort.

And of course Fox Sports executives wet their pants when the Red Sox stumbled out of the playoff picture. Lots of transplanted Red Sox fans are around the country which means lots of eyeballs on the TV. Now they have to do that thing that all TV networks hate to do: Make an effort to find an audience.

Now of course what they SHOULD want is a 7 game intense World Series. Short of that, let's see what they want to sell.

1. Yankees vs. Phillies

Once again, this is what they REALLY want. Two Northeastern teams and recent champs with lots of fans sprinkled across the country. Lots of recognizable names on both teams. A rematch of the 2009 series, which was one of the highest rated series in recent years. This would require the least amount of effort to sell and probably be the most popular. And of course, as fans bitch and moan about big budget East coast teams dominating the press, a meeting of two northeastern powers with the two biggest payrolls in baseball will undoubtedly draw the biggest ratings. Go figure.

2. Yankees vs. Cardinals

If any team can match the passion of the northeastern baseball fans, it is the Cardinals. With one of the biggest and most loyal fan bases in the country and many transplanted fans, this has the potential of being a great draw. The Cardinals didn't draw any viewers outside of their fan base in 2006, but against the Yankees there would be a clear villain.

3. Yankees vs. Diamondbacks

Normally any series involving Arizona wouldn't get much buzz (even though it should because they are a young exciting and energetic team.) But having the Yankees and Diamondbacks meet again on the 10th anniversary of the Post September 11th World Series would be pretty special. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera are still suiting up for the Yankees 10 years later.

4. Yankees vs. Brewers

The last of the Yankee match ups, which means the last potential match up that Fox would possibly want. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun coming to Yankee Stadium would be sweet. So would Bob Uecker calling the games on the radio. Plus there are enough midwesterners all across the country who would adopt the Brewers.





Now after this, sadly, the match ups would require baseball and Fox to market their sport and not just rely on the fans they take for granted. Which will NEVER happen. So even though virtually every single OTHER match up would include young superstars, solid pitching and potentially exciting baseball, Fox and MLB are dreading each and every one of them.

Let's list them anyway.

5. Rays vs. Phillies

A rematch of the 2008 World Series best remembered for a prolonged rain delay. I put this one high up because if the Rays get this far it would probably mean they would have slain both the Red Sox and Yankees. The little team that could would take on all three Northeastern Goliaths and win. That would be an amazing story. Too bad you can't sell a story like that.

6. Tigers vs. Phillies

The Phillies are the only potential National brand in the National League. And Detroit has a lot of fans living across the country because... well... a lot of people wanted out of Detroit. A Verlander vs. Halladay Game 1 would be amazing. So would Hall and Oates singing the National Anthem in Philadelphia and Eminem singing in Detroit.

7. Rangers vs Phillies

Can Texas become a baseball haven? They are incredibly likable and exciting. But that's football country. Just ask any fan of Friday Night Lights! And this could be a little Good Ole Boys vs. South Jersey rivalry. Sirloin vs. Cheesesteaks.

8. Tigers vs. Cardinals

Because EVERYONE loved the 2006 World Series. It's the "Maybe Leyland will have the pitchers take infield practice before the Series" Series.

9. Rays vs. Cardinals

The "If you put money on this being the World Series match up on September 1st you will be a millionaire" Series. The two teams that stormed into the playoffs after being left for dead going head to head would be great TV. So would seeing the fun and loose Joe Maddon square off against hard nose by the book written about him Tony LaRussa.

10. Rangers vs. Cardinals

The "To Hell With Either Coast" Series. Pujols hitting in the launching pad of Arlington. Hamilton, Young et al taking aim in St. Louis. A city of great baseball tradition against a team with a budding tradition. The Cardinals will bring out Ozzie Smith, Stan Musial, Bruce Sutter, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson. The Rangers will have Nolan Ryan and... um... Toby Harrah?

11. Tigers vs. Brewers

Nothing like two franchises that have never met square off against each other in the World Series. Sadly that isn't happening here. Here you have two teams that not too long ago were in the same division. I guess the fans of Detroit and Milwaukee will have fun driving through Chicago and honking at Cub fans on the way to the World Series games.

12. Rangers vs. Brewers

It's the "We both got rid of Carlos Lee before his contract became a behemoth" Series. (Seriously, what other history do these two teams have?)

13. Rays vs. Brewers

The "Maybe we can convince everyone it is a Buccaneers vs. Packers game" Series. Again, the teams will be filled with some of the most exciting players in baseball each fighting for the franchise's first ever World Series title. But something like that can't be promoted or used to get fans attention. How can that? It's not New York, Boston or Chicago?

14. Rangers vs. Diamondbacks

The "Is it hot enough for you?" Series. Or perhaps the "It's Hot but it's a dry heat" Series. You certainly can't claim East Coast bias in a series played in Texas and the desert.

15. Rays vs. Diamondbacks

Ironically, THIS is the series that fans should be hoping for. Two low budget, small payroll team with home grown stars made smart moves and made it to the World Series with guts, determination and smart baseball. You stick Brad Pitt in the middle of this World Series and people would pay attention. Instead it will probably be a ratings disaster... which is a disgrace.

16. Tigers vs. Diamondbacks

The World Series will be shown regionally. The rest of the country will see "The Making of Terra Nova."



So I will be watching no matter who is playing. I don't think there is a bad match up in the bunch. But what do I know? I'm not at Fox.

Is Joe Buck OK?

Seriously, did anyone else hear his broadcast today and think "Did he OD on NyQuil last night?"

He was so bored and so little energy in the Red Sox - Yankees game that he sounded like me describing a poetry reading night.

Now I hate poetry readings, so my boredom is understandable. But Joe loves baseball, doesn't he?

Cheer up! Put your back into it Joe!

If he can't do the job, then can I recommend getting Jon Voight to call a game AS Joe Buck from Midnight Cowboy?

A SULLY BASEBALL VIDEO - What does Fox want?

Fox better brace themselves for a San Diego/Tampa Bay World Series

Right now, as I type this blog post at my kitchen table in South Pasadena, I see two teams that should make it to the World Series.

The San Diego Padres are on fire, last night's loss in Milwaukee not withstanding.

Their lineup, other than Adrian Gonzalez, might not be sexy but it gets the job done. And their pitching staff is outrageously deep.

Mat Latos leads a wonderful starting staff and their bullpen is intense. Heath Bell, Tim Stauffer, Joe Thatcher and Mike Adams all have sub 2.00 ERAs! All the lineup needs to do it put 3 runs on the board and it is a Padres Win. This all coming from a team expected to lose 100 games this year.

And Tampa Bay, whose all around talent is nuts, looks like the class of the American League.

They can hit, they can run and hit for power. And their farm system is so deep that they can pull the Reid Brignacs and Jeremy Hellicksons of the world onto the roster and not miss a beat.


You'd think big league baseball would love to see two young and hungry teams clashing in the World Series as a grand event for the game.

You'd be wrong.

Neither Major League Baseball nor Fox Sports show a lot of imagination when they have to promote their sport and the World Series. If a great match up falls on their lap, like the Phillies and Yankees last year, they know they'll have some eyeballs on the screen.

They know the Red Sox breaking the Curse in 2004 was interesting as was the post September 11th classic between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks.

But if they are stuck with a less than sexy match up, they are clueless.

I've worked at Fox and I know a lot of people who have had high profile positions during their baseball broadcasts and they've all confirmed what we all think:

They want the Red Sox, the Yankees, the Cubs, the Mets or the Dodgers. Anyone else is death.

Someone on the Fox Baseball broadcast team told me that when they thought the 2008 World Series was going to be the Dodgers and the Red Sox, it was euphoria. When it turned out to be the Rays and the Phillies, Fox was a morgue.

Well guess what?
The Cubs, the Mets and the Dodgers have about as much a chance of making the playoffs as the Nippon Ham Fighters. And if Jon Lester keeps coughing up 9 runs an outing and Josh Beckett continues to rot, then Fox will be left with the Yankees.

And if A-Rod and Andy Pettite continue to get hurt and Javy Vazquez, A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain continue to suck, the Yankees might not win the pennant.

If the World Series is indeed Padres - Rays... there will be abject panic at Fox.

There shouldn't be. Baseball has to figure out a way to make a series between two franchises looking for their first ever title and young players looking to be crowned champions as a positive thing.

As I wrote in my Ranger vs. Rays piece, football can turn an Indianapolis vs. New Orleans Super Bowl into an event.

So if Tampa vs. San Diego is the worst case scenario, make some lemonade with those lemons. Think of cool ways to market it..

THE DOCK YOUR YACHT AND WATCH THE BALLGAME SERIES


THE "HEY NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND BOSTON... THE WEATHER IS BETTER DOWN HERE AND SO ARE THE BASEBALL TEAMS!" SERIES


THE "HEY, THE TEAM NAMES KIND OF RHYME" SERIES


THE "WATCH TWO TEAMS WITH LOSING TRADITIONS WEARING DULL SEA COLORED UNIFORMS PLAY" SERIES


THE "WHO NEEDS A SALARY CAP WITH THE 21st AND 29th HIGHEST PAYROLLS PLAYING FOR THE TITLE" SERIES


THE "WHICH FRANCHISE PLAYING FOR A CITY FILLED WITH TRANSPLANTS WITH LOYALTIES TO OTHER TEAMS WILL WIN THEIR FIRST WORLD SERIES" SERIES


THE "HEY... YOU CLAIM YOU WANTED TEAMS OTHER THAN THE YANKEES AND RED SOX IN THE WORLD SERIES... YOU GOT IT... ENJOY" SERIES

or how about this one:

THE "WATCH TERRIFIC YOUNG EXCITING PLAYERS WHO DON'T LOOK LIKE A BUNCH OF 'ROIDED UP, OVERPAID FREAKS PLAYING EXCITING BASEBALL AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL FOR A TITLE THAT NOBODY WAS EXPECTING" SERIES

Nahhhh.

That is just crazy talk.

The World Series should be exciting no matter who plays. The best World Series I have ever seen was Minnesota vs. Atlanta in 1991. Hey, they can both make the playoffs this year. If they played each other, I wonder if Fox would even bring up 1991 in the hype of it?

Give all the combinations some thought, Fox. There's a lot of great baseball players out there... it's YOUR job to get people excited about it.

The Frozen Series Could Happen

Think about this very plausible scenario for October and November.

It seems that a lot of people (including your pal Sully) are picking the Colorado Rockies to win the NL West.

And a whole mess of experts are picking the Minnesota Twins to win the AL Central.

Now if you make the playoffs, then by definition you have a shot to win the pennant (just ask the 2002 Angels, the 2003 Marlins, the 2006 Cardinals and the 2007 Rockies about being unlikely World Series participants.)

Think about that for a second... the Twins... the Rockies... two teams that won't exactly get the highest Nielsen Ratings in the world.

But one team plays in Denver... the other in Minneapolis.

Now imagine playing baseball in late October and early November in those cities... without a roof.

This is a picture taken of Coors Field, home of the Rockies.

Do you know when it was taken?

In MID October during the playoffs.



Meanwhile the Twins are now playing outdoors in Target Field.



I'm not 100% sure when this pic was taken, but it isn't too much of a stretch to picture a day like this around Halloween in Minneapolis.

Part of me now wants a Rockies/Twins World Series.

Why?

Because Fox sends the casts of their shows to sit in choice seats during the World Series to cut to them (and promote their shows) during the game. When they are in New York, or Anaheim or even Boston, there's a little bit of charm to it.

I love the idea of the cast of Glee, Hell's Kitchen and Bones shivering under snow while watching Jeff Francis pitch to Joe Mauer.

"So we'll chat with American Idol's Kara DioGuardi... once we find her in the snow drift."

Admit it, you like seeing celebrities uncomfortable.
It's worth having the Rocks and Twinkies meet up.

WHAT FOX WANTS... 2009 EDITION

It is becoming an October tradition.

The staff at Sully Baseball tries to figure out which World Series match up has Fox salivating... and which ones they are dreading.

We did it in 2007...

We did it in 2008...

Now let's do it for this year.

I know one of the announcers at Fox Sports (I will protect his identity) who told me that when the Rays eliminated the Red Sox ensuring a Tampa Bay/Philadelphia instead of the Red Sox/Dodgers dream match up, the mood at Fox Sports was funeral-esque.

So which one of the 16 match ups do the suits at Fox want in terms of getting some national attention.

Well, first and foremost I am sure Fox wants an actually GOOD World Series.

The Series hasn't gone 6 games since 2003.

3 of the last 5 World Series were sweeps.

A heart stopping World Series a la 2001 could go a long way.

But short of that, let's figure out the dream and nightmare scenarios for the Nielsens.

1. NEW YORK YANKEES vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fox executives sacrificing animals to the baseball Gods for this match up. The two biggest media markets make this a drool worthy Series. Throw in all of the clips of great Yankees/Dodgers series (Jackie steals home... Larsen's no hitter... Koufax shutting down the mighty Yankees... Reggie's three homers.) Throw in all of the New York celebrities and all of the Los Angeles celebrities. Throw in Manny Ramirez, A-Rod, Jeter and a galaxy of stars... and oh yeah. Joe Torre returns to New York. Could be the biggest series of the decade.

2. BOSTON RED SOX vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The allure of the Red Sox in the World Series is no longer as sexy as it once was... but there are still transplanted Red Sox fans everywhere. Plus the spectacle of Manny's return to Boston would be very interesting.

3. NEW YORK YANKEES vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Remember when Ali started taunting George Foreman with "THE CHAMP IS HERE!"? That would be the Yankees, swaggering into Philadelphia wanting the title the Phillies got last year. Plus Ryan Howard and company is the only lineup that can match the Yankees fire power.

4. NEW YORK YANKEES vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Remember how the NBA promotes the Finals as a Star vs Star match up? Magic vs. Michael. Michael vs. Charles. Ewing vs. Hakeem. Well this would be A-Rod vs. Pujols. I'd watch it!

5. BOSTON RED SOX vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The last two World Series winners stage a 1915 World Series rematch. Plus it would be a nightmare for New York fans from the north and the south.

6. BOSTON RED SOX vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

The Red Sox blew out the Cardinals in a jaw droppingly lop sided 2004 World Series. But neither Carpenter nor Wainwright were on that 2004 Series roster. If the Red Sox win, they would be unquestionably the team of the decade. If the Cardinals win, they might lay claim to that title.

7. NEW YORK YANKEES vs. COLORADO ROCKIES

The Yankees have played the Giants, Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, Reds, Dodgers, Phillies, Braves, Padres, Mets, Diamondbacks and Marlins in the World Series. Why not the Rockies?

8. BOSTON RED SOX vs. COLORADO ROCKIES

Sure the 2007 World Series was a bust and a rematch probably won't capture the attention of the world... but the fact of the matter is Fox wants Boston or New York in the World Series at any cost.

9. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

This might actually be the best match up, baseball wise. Good pitching, good hitting and one Hall of Fame manager in LaRussa up against a potential Hall of Fame manager in Scioscia. It will be confusing when they play in St. Louis as both teams will be wearing red hats.

10. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

You get the whole East Coast vs. West Coast thing. It's kind of the ugly step sister version of the Yankees/Dodgers match up.

11. MINNESOTA TWINS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Hey! It's a 1965 World Series rematch! Just wait for all of the Twitter-ers to go crazy for THAT match up! 

12. MINNESOTA TWINS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

The Twins try to become the only team to win the World Series in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s... and they'll need to take on the Defending Champs to do it. (Echo... echo... echo...)

13. MINNESOTA TWINS vs. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

What better way to send off the Metrodome than remind everyone of the 1987 World Series... the Series that introduced so many people to the baggie in right field and the baseball colored roof? Ahhh tradition!

14. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Think of how thrilled Fox would be ratings wise with THIS match up. A city whose fan base is notorious for showing up late and leaving early... versus that city's suburbs!

15. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM vs. COLORADO ROCKIES

Maybe Fox can convince the people of Denver that this is actually a Broncos game.

16. MINNESOTA TWINS vs. COLORADO ROCKIES

This World Series will only be shown regionally. The rest of the country will see reruns of So You Think You Can Dance

Hey Fox Sports... Hire Tony Kubek

Seriously, we need Tony Kubek back.

I’m tired of hearing Joe Buck call every single World Series game. I’m not a Joe Buck hater… it’s just getting exhausting. He has called every World Series since 2000… and 12 of the last 14 World Series.

There used to be a rotation. Vin Scully, Tony Kubek and Joe Garigiola would call some years. Keith Jackson, Al Michaels and Jim Palmer other years.

Bob Costas called a few…
Howard Cosell called a few…

But now it is all Joe Buck and Tim McCarver all the time, including for two Red Sox World Championships.

Yesterday, Tony was elected to the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award. He’s been out of broadcasting since 1994. The strike seemed to be the last nail in the coffin as he walked away from Yankee games.

I hadn’t heard him speak since then and I wondered if he had slowed down in these past 15 years.

He was terrific! He sounded great, he was quick and funny and reminded me why he was so worthy of the Frick award.

Yeah he looks a lot older, but so do I!

Kubek seemed disgusted by the direction baseball was going in during the mid 1990s and no doubt he would not be happy with the steroid scandals and a lot of Mr. Selig’s decisions.

But this was the same broadcaster who spoke out against Bowie Kuhn when he wasn’t present for Hank Aaron’s 715th homer. And spoke his mind about George Steinbrenner. We could use some more Tony Kubek’s in the broadcasting booth.

And seeing the real McCoy is available, perhaps it is time to throw a pile of money at him and bring him back to the broadcast booth where he belongs!

Rangers - Tigers... is this a playoff preview?

Both teams are in first place... and it is about to be Memorial Day Weekend, the first marker for determining who is a contender who just had a decent April.

Rangers - Tigers... that would be a big ratings grabber!

Hey Fox Sports Executives... better get on that ledge NOW!

Oh there is hair being pulled out tonight

- The Rays are pulling out their hairs because their Cinderella season is a Cole Hamels win away from being over.

- FOX Sports is pulling out their hair that more than likely the World Series for the 5th straight year won't go to a 6th game.

- FOX Sports also is pulling out clumps because the last game of the Series might be against Monday Night Football.

- Mets fans are pulling out their hair knowing that Phillies fans are one Cole Hamels win away from having a LOT of ammo.

- The Yankees are pulling out their hair knowing that the combined payrolls of the Rays and Phillies is well below their 2008 total... which will be cheap compared to the 2009 payroll.

- The Red Sox and their fans are pulling out their hair thinking "Why couldn't WE smack the Tampa pitchers around like that in game 7?" Seriously... J.D. Drew can't get a hit off of David Price but Eric Bruntlett can hit a home run.

- Cubs fans are pulling out their hair because the see they could have beaten this Tampa team.

- Philadelphia fans are pulling out their hair because... well... they aren't familiar with this emotion called happiness.

Meanwhile out on a ledge with a Fox Sports Executive...

(Sully wanders onto the ledge of a building where a Fox Sports executive is looking down.)

SULLY: Hey man.

EXEC: Don't come near me... I'm going to do it.

SULLY: Let's talk this through.

EXEC: There's no use. This was going to be a bonanza World Series! We were going to have the Mets... or Boston... or the Dodgers... or maybe even a Cubs World Series! We had Manny, or Big Papi... we had Wrigley, Fenway or Chavez Ravine. And look at we we're stuck with.

SULLY: I know. Tampa Bay and Philly isn't the sexiest match up.

EXEC: Sexy? Jesus. We had superstars at the Dodger games. We had Ben Affleck and Marky Mark at the Red Sox games. Who are we going to have in Philly? "HEY LOOK! It's David Brenner." Screw it, I'm going to jump now.

SULLY: All is not lost!

EXEC: The hell it is! How are we going to sell House or American Idol knowing we've only cornered the Gulf Coast and South Jersey. We might as well just show episodes of Do Not Disturb.

SULLY: Don't say that. Not even as a joke.

EXEC: What's the use?

SULLY: I'll tell you what the use is! Yeah you don't have the usual suspects in the Series...but you could be ahead of the curve in promoting the future of baseball. Think of the storyline. You like stories where the underdog goes through a sudden transformation into something beautiful, right?

EXEC: Sully, we aired The Swan!

SULLY: Exactly. Well the Rays are the swan of baseball. And they have cool young players like David Price and B. J. Upton. Plus Evan Longoria... whose name sounds like Eva... and maybe you can trick some of the Desperate Housewife crowd!

EXEC: Oh come on. ABC had Longoria sitting courtside for those Spurs NBA finals and nobody watched.

SULLY: What about Rocky? You get that rough and tumble lovable underdog from Philly... play the music... have Tim McCarver run up the steps. Maybe have Sly, Carl Weathers, Mr. T and Dolph Lungren throw out the first pitch!

EXEC: Oh quit selling to the older crowd. Did you notice TBS only showed ads for Viagra and Flomax. The only people watching the game are flacid men who can't pee! We need NEW viewers!

SULLY: Well... this is the first time in a while that baseball can recapture the African American market.

EXEC: Tell me more without sounding racist or condescending.

SULLY: OK, I'll do my best. The number of prominent black players in baseball is shrinking. Baseball has the latin market down and has a huge Asian population. But more and more young African Americans turn away from baseball to football and basketball.

EXEC: So what's different?

SULLY: The Phillies have former MVPs Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins. The Rays have B. J. Upton, Carl Crawford and David Price. You have some of the best young African American talent on display and they can help sell the sport to a lot of kids who have become apathetic.

EXEC: But how can we SELL IT?

SULLY: Simple. Say "Hey! You sick of New York and Boston teams dominating? You sick of teams buying all their stars? Well guess what? Here's a World Series with young and hungry teams, built from their farm system and smart trades... no clear favorite and nothing is predictable except for the fact that it will be hard fought. Maybe even 7 games. Want to watch great baseball? It's here!"

EXEC: That's not bad.

SULLY: Sounds pretty good to me.

EXEC: We've aired worse.

SULLY: You aired The Chevy Chase Show.

EXEC: Touche.

SULLY: Come on. Let's get off the ledge and watch some baseball.

EXEC: Wait! Aren't they the DEVIL Rays? We can't sell anything with the word Devil in it to Middle America!

SULLY: Relax. They are just the Rays.

EXEC: Phew.

SULLY: Now hurry up. There are people from Fox News who are waiting for this ledge.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, FOX!!!

According to my Guide of What Fox Wants For A World Series Match Up, Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia was the 13th best out of 16 potential match ups.

So before you jump to your death thinking of the tens of millions of dollars of ad revenue lost my not having Boston, Los Angeles or Chicago (not to mention New York) in the World Series, you can console yourself with the knowledge that there were 3 match ups that were actually WORSE!

That's right, it could have been the Angels vs. the Brewers... or the worst one for rating, the White Sox vs. the Brewers or the Rays vs. the Brewers.

(Man, it's a good think the Phillies beat the Brewers in the first round... we might have had #16!)

Fox is getting nervous

We are 1 Phillies win and 2 Rays wins from the Fox Sports nightmare World Series.

If the Phillies and Rays win their homegames, then good bye Boston and LA.
Good bye Manny coming back to Boston... Torre getting his revenge... the transplanted Red Sox fans glued to their sets... good bye big stars sitting by the dugout.

The Rays - Phillies World Series is more than a possibility now.
It's a PROBABILITY.

They had better come up with creative ways to sell this one...
Or else you'd better set some nets up at the bottom of the Fox Sports building.

Fox might have to prepare for a Philadelphia/Tampa Bay World Series

When I broke down what Fox wanted this postseason, it was under the assumption that it was going to be an Ivy Covered, Billy Goat killing autumn where all the good feelings in Wrigley-ville would lead to a ratings bonanza.

Whoops!
Well Cubs fans are all still staring off like Michael Corleone in the last shot of Godfather 2
and Fox moved on to plan B:

The Red Sox/Dodgers showdown.

Manny comes back to Boston!
Torre shows the Yankees they were wrong!

Red Sox Nation versus LA LA Land!

The Defending Champs versus 50 years in LA.

Big Papi on one side... Nomar on the other.

In fact every single sports talk station I've heard have talked about that as a given.
Which means they think the team with home field advantage will lose both series in the LCS.

Well with the Phillies winning last night and up 8-2 in the third inning, it seems like Philadelphia isn't playing along with that plan.
And remember the Rays won the season series with the Red Sox and have home field advantage.

Hey Fox... you had better get ready for plan C!
You already lost the Mets... the Cubs... you could lose the Dodgers.

You already lost the Yankees... the Angels... the White Sox and possibly the Red Sox.
But you've got ad space to sell and shows to promote.

You'd better be prepared with
WAYS TO SELL A PHILADELPHIA - TAMPA BAY WORLD SERIES





CAMPAIGN #1:
The Buccaneers beat the Eagles in the 2003 NFC Title Game.

Will Philadelphia get payback?
Or will Tampa Bay laugh at them again?







CAMPAIGN #2:
Which City Has The Most Beloved Favorite Son?

It's Benjamin Franklin versus Hulk Hogan!

A match up all of America would love to see!












CAMPAIGN #3
The Revenge of Bobby Abreu

11 Years ago the Phillies stole Bobby Abreu from the Rays for Kevin Stocker.

WILL THE RAYS GET REVENGE???








CAMPAIGN #4
The Killer Vice Series










It's the Cheesesteak city versus the Cigar rolling city!







CAMPAIGN #5
The Sports Underdog Movie Series









The city that gave you Rocky versus the team that gave you The Rookie




CAMPAIGN #6:
The Fan Base Series



Which team will be rewarded?
The meanest and most bitter fans in sports... or the fan base that just found out they got a team!














CAMPAIGN #7
Rematch of the 2004 Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals

The Flyers and the Lightning played 7 hard fought games to get into the Cup Finals.
The Lightning won the series and later the Stanley Cup.
The Flyers got diddly.

NOW IT'S PAYBACK!

(for those of you confused... this is a reference to hockey.)


CAMPAIGN #8
The Good Baseball Campaign






Two teams, filled with young and exciting rising stars and MVP candidates who were predominantly developed through their own farm system will square off in the World Series.

With no clear favorite, its anyone's guess who will win it.
It's not the same old faces of the Red Sox or Yankees... for most of the players it is their first taste of the the World Series... and they are ready to leave their imprint on baseball history!


Nahhhhh.
No way THAT could sell!

How much does Fox hate the Mets now?

Yeah Manny's one man show is great TV and usually upsets are great for viewers.

But Fox thought they had a Wrigley October.
They thought they had a once in a century World Series.
They thought they were going to have the attention and frenzy of 2003 and 2004.

And instead they have more than likely a Cubs three and out.

I mean if the Cubs had to collapse, why not in the World Series?
If the Cubs were going to have their next mind boggling, Billy Goat reminding face plant, couldn't it be AFTER Columbus day?

The Cubs would have steamrolled the Mets.
The Cubs would have beaten the Mets in 2. That's right... two!

The first two games would have been such a whuppin' that they would have forfeited game 3.

And TBS would have had Cubs/Mets and then Fox would have had Cubs/Dodgers.
Ad sales in Chicago... New York... Los Angeles...

And it's all done because the Mets couldn't hold a 2 1/2 game lead over 7 days.

And Cub fans might be entering century #2 in a few days!

Good job Mets.

What FOX wants... 2008 edition

Once again I find it borderline useless to try to make post season predictions.
But as I did last year, I think we can accurately assess what Fox Sports wants in a World Series match up.

One of my co workers, who has a long history in sports TV, told me one of his friends is a higher up at Fox Sports.
His friend was evidently crowing at the idea of the National League playoff teams being LA, Chicago, New York and Philly.

Well, it's safe to say he isn't crowing now.
With no hope of a New York World Series... let's figure out what Fox is rooting for, and which match ups will send the ratings crashing more than the Dow.

Now remember I am not trying to match up which teams would provide the best baseball.
I am purely talking about which World Series match ups would be the easiest to sell... the easiest to get a buzz with casual fans... the match up that would placate the people pissed that House is preempted.

With no New York Default, it will be a little tougher this year... but here we go.

1. CHICAGO CUBS vs. BOSTON RED SOX
The mighty Cubs looking to cure their curse versus the formerly cursed lovable losers turned into neighborhood bully. Wrigley... Fenway... transplanted fans make road games seem like home for their teams. Plus with the Red Sox being the new Evil Empire, what better way for the cute Cuddly Cubs to rid their curse than to beat the bad guys. It's just like the Ewoks!

2. LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. BOSTON RED SOX
I know Fox wants the Cubs in this series... but there are so many subplots in this one that it could be delicious. Joe Torre back in the World Series... Manny versus the Red Sox. Nomar back in Fenway. 50th anniversary in LA could bring out tons of stars. And man it would piss off Yankees fan.

3. CHICAGO CUBS vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Besides being a match up of the 2 best teams in the game, it would allow Fox to sell "See the Cubs win for the first time 100 years" while stuffing Angels Stadium with the casts of their new shows.

4. CHICAGO CUBS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Lou Piniella goes back to Tampa! OK that's a tough sell. The most unlikely pennant winner EVER with the Rays! OK, also a tough sell. Basically the Cubs playing anyone is a big sell... and this Series would be a good test for that.

5. CHICAGO CUBS vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Fox would like to NOT have a regional World Series... as the A's/Giants in 1989 and the Yankees/Mets in 2000 didn't exactly light up he Neilsens. But again, the fascination with the Cubs would survive not having another home media market. Man, I will need to have security to rival the 1968 Democratic Convention.

6. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. BOSTON RED SOX
How can we get the Northeast plus lots of transplanted fans without New York? Well get the defending Champs plus a team filled with some of the best rising stars in the game. Plus the two meanest fan bases in sports... whoever loses will hear of it.

7. MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. BOSTON RED SOX
Beer and Red Sox fans! A natural combination. This is the only way Fox would be remotely happy to see the Brewers in the World Series.

8. LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
You get all of the Dodgers subplots (Torre, Nomar, Manny) and you get the ringless veterans of Chicago (Griffey, Thome) and get the second and third biggest media markets. It's not the Cubs or Red Sox, but it wouldn't be bad

9. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
It won't be pretty... it won't be warm... but it would resemble a slow pitch softball game and man it would be fun.

10. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Lots of fun stars and no doubt some competitive games are nice. But Anaheim isn't LA and Philly isn't New York (or Boston for that matter.)

11. LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
The entire draw is the Dodgers and their subplot. As amazing a story the Rays are, without some post season heroics, they have not translated into a national story.

12. LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
This is the series that should once and for all show that the Angels do NOT play in LA!

13. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
This will be the litmus test to see if the Phillies have any drawing power. How many times have you bumped into a "transplanted Rays fan"?

14. MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
Hey! Let's revisit the drama of the 1982 ALCS!

15. MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Cubs fans would be on suicide watch.

16. MILWAUKEE BREWERS vs. TAMPA BAY RAYS
Fox Sports executives would be on suicide watch

Fox and TBS Can't Be Happy

Hey Fox! Hey TBS!
I got great news!

YOU'VE COMPLETELY LOST NEW YORK FOR THE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS!

Isn't that great?
The biggest media market, the best baseball city and the biggest stars in the game?

ALL GONE!

Poof!

And in exchange you get Milwaukee.
Isn't that great! You exchange New York for the second most passionate sports town in Wisconsin.

Can't you see the ratings go sky high?

Oh, you want more great news?

The dream NLCS of Los Angeles and Chicago?
That's now a first round series. Best of 5.

Better get that star studded media darling series out of the way early.

All because the Mets couldn't hold a 2 1/2 game lead with a week to go.

But you get the town that produced the Fonz!
That's cool, isn't it?

TBS and FOX are chanting LET'S GO METS!

The National League playoffs were setting up to put together some of the sexiest match ups in terms of TV ratings in years.

And the story lines were all no brainers and the markets themselves no doubt made ad salesmen drool.

You obviously have the Cubs... bringing in Chicago... plus the transplanted Chicagoans... plus all the people who follow them on WGN... plus the natural storyline of wanting to see them win for the first time in 100 years. Nice round number... it would have all the national interest of the Red Sox back in 2004, but the fan base isn't as obnoxious. (Sorry, me.)

You also have the Dodgers... LA... big stars in the stands... Joe Torre, the most famous manager in the game today getting his revenge on the Yankees... Manny Ramirez bringing his insanity to LA... Nomar going for his first ring... 50 years in LA (another nice round number.)

Then there are the Phillies... more of the Northeast bringing in Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Jersey... lots of transplants... a hungry fan base looking for a championship of any kind... the last two NL MVPs in Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins plus more stars like Cole Hamels and Chase Utley.

And finally the Mets... the lone reps of New York... more stars in the stands... the New York media machine would be running at full speed... David Wright and Jose Reyes hoping to be the next princes of the City.

Any combination of those teams would have been great.
They clearly would want the Cubs and Dodgers... winner goes to the World Series.
But there's nothing wrong with a Mets and Phillies series.

Hell, it would have venom that's for sure.

All seemed like it was lining up for this field of NL teams.
Then troubled started brewing... literally.

If the Brewers win the Wild Card it throws everything out of whack and leads to a reshuffling of playoff matchups that won't make the networks happy.

First of all you take New York out of the equation completely.
You don't want to take out New York when you are trying to hype a series.

Secondly because of the strange rule that says teams from the same division can't play each other in the first round, the Wild Card Brewers would face the Phillies... which would not be a big draw.

That means the marquee NLCS... the one with the great story lines, media markets and stars... the Dodgers and the Cubs... the two teams playing the best baseball in the NL... would now be a Division Series match up.

This reminds me of a few years ago in the NBA playoffs when the Spurs and the Suns were clearly the best two remaining teams... but they faced in the Conference Semi Finals... also known as "The Second Round."

The Spurs won that series and then beat inferior teams in the Conference Finals and NBA Finals for the crown that should have been awarded to them 2 round prior.

So you know the good folks at Turner and Fox are not exactly being subtle right now.

They are chanting "Let's Go Mets!"
They have too many half hour blocks to sell!