9
2009
Brewhouse Bias – MLB Can of Worms
An article by scottysbrewhouse
Last week I started to get into a Facebook wrestling match of words with a die-hard baseball enthusiast. I opened the can of worms, I just let everyone else start doing the fishing.
My distaste for the sport probably arises from baseball’s traditionalists and their inability to change with the times, or too little, always too late. Most of this can be seen or attributed the TV ratings. Especially when compared to the ratings of “big brother” NFL.
I could talk about how rules don’t change quickly enough or adapt year in and year out. (Like the NFL’s Rules Committee that tries new things to make the product better for the consumer, baseball relies on tradition. Antiquated.) I could go on about the replay system and baseball’s reluctance to slowly let it into the game. (Why get the game right with replay? I mean, it is already a 3 and a half hour game, why lengthen it by another 5 minute replay. Sarcasm.) I could discuss how the NFL adopts incredible opportunities, like wearing pink on players, refs and the field to support breast cancer awareness in October. Yes, baseball has a problem putting a spiderweb on their bases to promote a movie. God forbid! That might increase younger viewership.
The biggest problem I have with the sport is the lack of salary cap. I really believe this makes the sport unwatchable or interesting to most. Sure, Chicago, New York, LA and a few other top salary paying cities have their die-hard fans. But, in my opinion, what makes the NFL great is the ability for any team, any year, any given Sunday to have the opportunity to win a World Championship. Not just the major money market teams with owners that are willing to spend money – nope, in this league everyone is on a level playing field.
So, I’ll open this can of baseball worms for you all to go fishin’ with…
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Ohh don't talk about baseball salary caps. We all know certain people get a little testy.
You want a salary cap in MLB? Studies have shown that if MLB adopted the salary cap similar to the ones they use in the NBA or NFL, salaries would actually RISE.
There is an astonishing amount of money in Major League Baseball.
I'm assuming you are referring to me. And I'm all for a salary cap. Make the game more interesting. Good luck convincing Bud.
This is so wrong on so many levels.
A comparison of TV ratings between MLB and NFL is comparing apples to oranges. MLB plays 162 games a year, mostly every day, while NFL plays 16 games a year, only on Sundays. Postseason series are 7 games instead of just one. You're comparing two different animals. Plus, baseball does tend to be more of a locale-specific sport. If you look at local TV market ratings for daily baseball coverage (e.g. the regional Fox Sports networks that cover their local teams), the ratings are very competitive with local market ratings for NFL games.
What major things have needed tweaking? Baseball as a sport doesn't have the complex set of rules that football has. Less rules, less to change. Baseball has adapted where necessary; they've added a wild card, and they've added instant replay where necessary. Why does everyone look to the NFL as the "replay Gods" – their system is every bit as flawed as others. Half the time, the officials don't even know if a play is reviewable or not.
So ignorant I can't even express it. Every year on Mother's day, the MLB promotes breast cancer awareness with pink ribbons in stadiums, and several players utilize pink bats for the cause, which are later auctioned off to support the cause.
Ahh yes, the salary cap/revenue sharing. IT"S ALL GOOD. Sure, it doesn't benefit perennial bottom feeders in the NFL, who can continue to spend less and field uncompetitive teams and still turn a hug profit! (sarcasm there, folks – more coming here). Baseball's got teams like the Yankees that win every year and teams like the Pirates that lose every year. The NFL doesn't have that! We have teams like the Colts and Lions! They always have equal results.
I know this has been regurgitated time and time again, but I feel the need to show it again anyway:
Super Bowl, Last 10 years: 7 different winners, 14 different qualifiers
World Series, Last 10 years: 8 different winners, 15 different qualifiers
Tell me again why the NFL is "so much more competitive" and MLB needs a salary cap?
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