Rich: you mentioned the Giants need to hire another broadcaster with Miller, Kuiper and Fleming missing so many games. The fill-in guy, Risso or whatever his name is, is terrible. Are they going to hire anyone? You mentioned Ted Robinson, Glenn Kuiper or Roxy Bernstein as possibilities. Can't imagine they would bring the other Kuiper aboard. What about Vince Catroneo?
I completely agree with you, Rich. Baseball's decline is a result of a perfect storm: it's seen as an "old man's" sport, perceived as boring and uninteresting, with rosters dominated by international players. This has affected its historical connection to American audiences, especially given the decline of radio broadcasts, which have traditionally been crucial to the sport’s popularity.
In my opinion, football—both pro and college—dominates over MLB (and the NBA and NHL) not due to its competitiveness, but because of its strong ties to American nationalism. Unlike MLB (another other big sports), where international talent plays a significant role, football is largely composed of homegrown American players. This creates a unique sense of connection and pride among fans, setting football apart as a truly American sport.
Walking outside game-day/night at Oracle Park reminded me of being in Tijuana in the early 80s, when it was still relatively safe walking in and out at the Border crossing facility, with food cart vendors everywhere. A’s Coliseum was similar in the parking lots. I think MLB actually gained Latino fans many of them and others who evidently don’t care for and therefore don’t buy the ridiculously priced stadium food and beer. The additional Japanese descent Americans and Japanese visitor traveling fans are great for the Dodgers and other teams with Japanese stars and stadium advertising from Japanese companies is their benefit as well. I agree connection to the US nationalism of watching mostly US born baseball players is diminishing resulting in the steep decline in US fans overall that cannot compensate. Ethnicity of players may be only part of it as the game is still too slow for most young people as evident by them going to their phones to pass time or being disconnected otherwise on a typical company social outing at the ballpark. Not sure if the game can be sped up much more. However for one thing, they should not allow the batter and pitcher each one timeout period per at-bat stopping the timer on each.
@7:42 & 11:57. Yes and Yes! I believe the game has not passed well generationally. Get rid of the electronic pacifiers and focus on why you came to the game to begin with?
I read Larry Baer once took an inning of the radio broadcast to sell Giants’ owned condos across from the Ball Park. On the KNBR side Marty Lurie and Murph need to sell Mosquito Islands to the fan base out there. They can’t break up the relationship. Say it ain’t so Rich!
It's a shame that one of the most powerful radio station in California also carries one of the most boring team in MLB.
ReplyDelete“…one of the most powerful radio station in California…” I assume you mean signal strength only.
DeleteAt least the Giants aren't the A's.
DeleteRich: you mentioned the Giants need to hire another broadcaster with Miller, Kuiper and Fleming missing so many games. The fill-in guy, Risso or whatever his name is, is terrible. Are they going to hire anyone? You mentioned Ted Robinson, Glenn Kuiper or Roxy Bernstein as possibilities. Can't imagine they would bring the other Kuiper aboard. What about Vince Catroneo?
ReplyDeleteNext year circle the wago. Whole lots of new people., --only Flemming is certain.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Rich. Baseball's decline is a result of a perfect storm: it's seen as an "old man's" sport, perceived as boring and uninteresting, with rosters dominated by international players. This has affected its historical connection to American audiences, especially given the decline of radio broadcasts, which have traditionally been crucial to the sport’s popularity.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, football—both pro and college—dominates over MLB (and the NBA and NHL) not due to its competitiveness, but because of its strong ties to American nationalism. Unlike MLB (another other big sports), where international talent plays a significant role, football is largely composed of homegrown American players. This creates a unique sense of connection and pride among fans, setting football apart as a truly American sport.
Walking outside game-day/night at Oracle Park reminded me of being in Tijuana in the early 80s, when it was still relatively safe walking in and out at the Border crossing facility, with food cart vendors everywhere. A’s Coliseum was similar in the parking lots. I think MLB actually gained Latino fans many of them and others who evidently don’t care for and therefore don’t buy the ridiculously priced stadium food and beer. The additional Japanese descent Americans and Japanese visitor traveling fans are great for the Dodgers and other teams with Japanese stars and stadium advertising from Japanese companies is their benefit as well. I agree connection to the US nationalism of watching mostly US born baseball players is diminishing resulting in the steep decline in US fans overall that cannot compensate. Ethnicity of players may be only part of it as the game is still too slow for most young people as evident by them going to their phones to pass time or being disconnected otherwise on a typical company social outing at the ballpark. Not sure if the game can be sped up much more. However for one thing, they should not allow the batter and pitcher each one timeout period per at-bat stopping the timer on each.
DeleteAll pro U.S. sports were better 30 years ago IMO.
Delete@7:42 & 11:57. Yes and Yes! I believe the game has not passed well generationally. Get rid of the electronic pacifiers and focus on why you came to the game to begin with?
DeleteNow that petty dictator Baer has been pushed aside, how about Doug Greenwald?
ReplyDeleteIf he was any good, someone would have hired him. Is he still even calling games? Last I saw he was let go by the Fresno team.
DeleteI read Larry Baer once took an inning of the radio broadcast to sell Giants’ owned condos across from the Ball Park. On the KNBR side Marty Lurie and Murph need to sell Mosquito Islands to the fan base out there. They can’t break up the relationship. Say it ain’t so Rich!
ReplyDeleteI remember that inning. Kruk was very annoyed by Baer.
DeleteKruk and Kuip are going to be hard to replace.
ReplyDeleteNot as hard as you think. They've been sleepwalking through games for years.
Delete