Are People Losing Interest in Major League Baseball? Is there A Problem?
Baseball is just as popular in 2011 as it was in 2010. Around the country there are tons of articles stating that the game of baseball is in a downward spiral. Are we talking about thousands upon thousands of fans not going to the games? At the end of the 2010 season ESPN reported that attendance was down 1% from the year before. Yes, 1% is miniscule when you are comparing over 73 million fans going to game.
According to a report it said that recently over 50% of American males have placed a bet on a sporting event in the last year. It stated that those that pay attention to the game of baseball can, if they are judicious, make money on baseball betting. They need to constantly check the baseball odds at BetUS for the latest before they place their bet.
Let’s look at the attendance for 2011 through July 1, 2011. Nine of the 30 teams have seen a rise in attendance from a comparable point last year. Now that sounds horrible, right? The dip in attendance across the entire major leagues is only 337 less attending games this year than last year. For more on that figures check out the figures for yourself from Baseball Reference.
Before I end this article allow me to tell you about my trip to the Field of Dreams in Dyersburg, Iowa.
Remember the words of Terence Mann in the movie?
Ray, people will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway, not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you have a look around,” you’ll say. “It’s only twenty dollars per person.” They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it; for it is money they have and peace they lack.
And they’ll walk out to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game, and it’ll be as if they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces.
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Ohhhhhhhh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.
I drove to Iowa which is about 3-4 hours from my home. I felt compelled to go. They “they will come” line just kept creeping into my head. So one day one of my sons and I went there. On the day we went, we were the only one in attendance. It was in April and the corn was not in the fields and the place looked like what I built on my 20 acres years ago. A backstop, some bleachers and a whole lot of open area is what I made for my kids while they were growing up.
That is what baseball does to you. It gets you excited to see it and hear it and smell it and …..
I see no problem with major league baseball and an attendance problem. Many people are attending games, listening on radio, catching them on HD TV and check the baseball odds America’s Bookie for the latest. The game is not in a downhill spiral. No way, Jose.
Cardinals Shelby Miller affected by death of Rangers fan
PHOENIX (AP) – Shelby Miller’s joy at being a part of Sunday’s All-Star Futures game was tainted by the sorrow of the tragic death of a friend.
Shannon Stone, who fell to his death Thursday night at Rangers Ballpark while trying to catch a ball tossed into the stands last week, was a fellow firefighter and close friend of Miller’s father Mitch in Brownwood, Texas.
Shelby said he was speechless when he heard the news and had a hard time preventing it from affecting him as he prepared for his role for the U.S. team in Sunday’s Futures Game, which features the game’s leading minor league prospects.
“I can’t weep over it or do anything that’s going to keep me from performing well or something like that,” he said after his U.S. team’s 6-4 victory. “It’s definitely in the back of your mind. You think about it, and then you get down, and then you just try to forget about it and it’s not easy. It’s something I’m going to have to get through, me and my family are going to have to get through and the Stones are going to have to get through.”
Miller is a 20-year-old right-hander for Double-A Springfield, Mo., in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, has a fastball in the high 90s. St. Louis made him the 19th pick overall in the 2009 draft. He is 5-4 in 14 starts for Springfield with a 2.44 ERA, with 114 strikeouts and 28 walks.
Miller pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one. He said his parents were with the Stones family on Sunday but taped the game and planned to watch it later.
He remembered Stone as a great person and a great father to the 6-year-old boy who watched his dad fall to his death.
“We’ll get through it,” Miller said, “but right now it’s pretty tough.”
Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie = Americana
Nothing says America like baseball, hot dogs and apple pie.
With the Fourth of July upon us, America’s birthday has been home to many Major League Baseball milestones, moments, and, yes, birthdays. You could say baseball has provided plenty of fireworks over the years.
Not only that, but when it comes to war and our nation anthem—two things iconic with America—MLB bleeds red, white and blue.
- 3,000 not once, but twice–You’re kidding, right? The Fourth of July is the anniversary of many MLB highlights, including the 3,000th strikeout for Nolan Ryan and Phil Niekro
- So long, Lou–Every baseball fan has read, watched or listened to a clip of Lou Gehrig’s historic “Farewell Speech.” Ah, but did you know the New York Yankees great expressed he was the “luckiest man on the face of the earth” on July 4?
- Happy birthday, George–The New York Mets and Yankees have a few ties to the Fourth of July, as well. The late George Steinbrenner grew up blowing out candles on this day.
With liberty and justice for all–The Fourth of July isn’t just about the holiday itself. No, no—it’s much more than that. It’s about celebrating the this great nation of ours, past and present.
Unlike most professional leagues, MLB has been around for well over 100 years. And unlike other professional leagues, some of the greatest players to ever play had to miss valuable time on the diamond—and not because of injury. Christy Mathewson and Bob Feller just two of numerous players who sacrificed for this country.
Major League Baseball tell the story of Americana better than any.
Happy 4th of July to Everyone!
MLB: DID YOU KNOW THIS and IF NOT, NOW YOU DO
Hope you enjoy this feature:
- The Cardinals have started seven different third basemen, yet leads the NL in OPS at the position by a healthy margin.
- Major league teams have combined to produce 8.43 runs per game. According to STATS LLC, that is the lowest figure in more than 20 years.
- Braves farm hands have collected Player or Pitcher of the Week awards for 7 straight weeks.
- In 4 fewer games, Travis Wood has given up 9 more 1st inning runs than all of last year.
- Joey Votto has batted .328/.458/.493 over his last 18 games. The #Reds are just 5-13.
- Athletics also have third-worst OBP in AL.
- Danks first WhiteSox pitcher to lose first 8 decisions in one season since Eddie Smith opened 0-10 in ’42.
- Matt Garza has given up 2 four-pitch walks this year. Both to Joey Votto.
- Ethier and Kemp remain fourth and fifth, respectively, among NL outfielders in All-Star balloting.
- Troy Tulowitzki leads SS voting for All-Star game 1,409,806 votes to Jimmy Rollins’ 785,703.
- The Reds have made an out to end the game with the tying or go-ahead run at the plate 13 times this year.
- Pujols becomes third Cardinal player to win NL Player of the Week honors, Berkman did it twice.
2 games series are not good for the environment, are they?
The Cardinals start 2 series this week and they are each 2 game series.
What’s up with that? The cost of transportation needs to see a trend where the MLB goes to 4 or 5 game series the next time a schedule gets made.
Instead of Philadelphia coming into St Louis two times a year, get those done at at once. It is time for MLB go get with the environment and the energy kick and attempt to save some gas and some money.
Let’s at least investigate some ideas to cut down on the travelling each team does.
===========================================
The Reds swept the series and now take over first place. We swept them last year so all in all not a surprise. We are fast approaching 25% of the season so it is a marathon not a sprint.
For the record I bought into most of what Cordero said after the game except for his “disrespect” of Gerald Laird, for that he needs to apologize.
“Nice Pitching, Kid, Now Go Pee in a Cup”
Seriously? This is how MLB handles random drug testing?
Jaime Garcia pitched a masterpiece. Almost a perfect game and near a no-hitter.
People were saying he was dealing his stuff to the batters.
He gets the complete game shutout and everyone is happy. Media talks to him, players congratulate and he then meets up with a representative from Major League Baseball and he has a cup for Garcia to pee in.
Seriously? They don’t have a better procedure than that? They can’t get players before a game or well after the game? They have to slink into the dugout and take the life out of a young pitcher and his dominant game and wonder if he is doing drugs?
I am for testing. But minutes after the game? Bud Selig needs to get a better hold on this issue than that.
Oh wait, it was against the Milwaukee Brewers…. didn’t he once own that team?
Enough said. Now it all makes sense.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for baseball all the time!
Twitter Hitters for May 2, 2011
Let’s check out what twitter is saying that is not Osama Bin Laden related today.
=======================================================
The Marlins are 7-1 in today’s starter Chris Volstad’s last eight starts. -CardinalsGM
Orioles top prospect Manny Machado was named SAL player of the wk. Has a seven-game hitting streak and 5 HRS in his last 25 ABs. – Britt Ghiroli
Must-have MLB.TV features new lower prices http://atmlb.com/kRnluQ – MLB Updates
One month into season, #Nats have pitched great, hit terribly, fielded not-so-great and are on pace for 78 wins: http://bit.ly/lRhV00 – Mark Zuckerman
Ibanez’s 0 for 34 is actually sixth-longest in modern Phillies history. Sorry for omitting you, Desi Relaford and Denny Doyle. – magelb
New Post: Big Weekend For Cardinals: While the national news of Sunday night overshadowed the diversion that is … http://bit.ly/lI3igv – C70
Tim Wakefield: Pitching Coach? http://bit.ly/kQzc6O – brphair
My Soapbox is Bigger Than Yours Is http://goo.gl/fb/7GGa4 – PitchersHit8th
Pirates discussing extension with Andrew McCutchen: There’s some good news for Pirate fans that broke last night… http://bit.ly/kKVdKF – whygavs
X-rays on Cano’s bruised hand are negative http://dlvr.it/QN0FL – Rotoworld_BB
Twins? Or White Sox? Who’s going to eventually challenge the surprising Indians? http://sbn.to/jkD89R – RobNeyer
Golden Sombrero: Derrek Lee http://dlvr.it/QMsjx Golden Sombrero
==================================================
Follow us on TWITTER.
How much does a Home Plate Umpire Effect the Game
Take a look at the games today in the National League and decide for yourself. There are some very significant numbers that lean rather heavily towards certain teams. Is that coincidence? After the games come back and check those numbers with the outcome. It will surprise some that the numbers are eerily similar.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves – umpire is Tim Hudson
- Road team is 4-0 in Hudsons last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Under is 4-0 in Hudsons last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Cardinals are 5-1 in their last 6 Saturday games with Hudson behind home plate.
- Road team is 4-1 in Hudsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. St. Louis.
- Road team is 6-2 in Hudsons last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Braves are 2-6 in their last 8 games with Hudson behind home plate.
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies - umpire is Lance Barksdale
- Home team is 7-0 in Barksdales last 7 games behind home plate vs. New York.
- Under is 8-1-1 in Barksdales last 10 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 4-1 in Barksdales last 5 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
- Under is 6-2 in Barksdales last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Over is 16-6-4 in Barksdales last 26 games behind home plate vs. Philadelphia.
- Home team is 15-7 in Barksdales last 22 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 37-18 in Barksdales last 55 games behind home plate.
- Mets are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Barksdale behind home plate.
San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals – umpire is Paul Emmel
- Road team is 4-0 in Emmels last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Giants are 5-0 in their last 5 Saturday games with Emmel behind home plate.
- Home team is 5-0 in Emmels last 5 Saturday games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Road team is 5-1 in Emmels last 6 games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Under is 5-1 in Emmels last 6 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Washington.
- Road team is 4-1 in Emmels last 5 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Emmels last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Giants are 19-7 in their last 26 games with Emmel behind home plate.
- Road team is 8-3 in Emmels last 11 games behind home plate.
- Under is 5-2 in Emmels last 7 games behind home plate vs. San Francisco.
- Nationals are 0-4 in their last 4 games with Emmel behind home plate.
Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros – umpire is Derryl Cousins
- Road team is 5-0 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate.
- Over is 5-0 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
- Over is 8-2-1 in Cousins’ last 11 games behind home plate.
- Over is 4-1 in Cousins’ last 5 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
- Road team is 7-2 in Cousins’ last 9 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 13-4 in Cousins’ last 17 games behind home plate vs. Milwaukee.
- Road team is 5-2 in Cousins’ last 7 games behind home plate vs. Houston.
- Brewers are 0-7 in their last 7 games with Cousins behind home plate.
Florida Marlins at Cincinnati Reds – umpire is Joe West
- Over is 4-0 in Wests last 4 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Road team is 4-0 in Wests last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Reds are 14-3 in their last 17 games with West behind home plate.
- Over is 4-1 in Wests last 5 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 6-2 in Wests last 8 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Under is 15-5-1 in Wests last 21 games behind home plate vs. Florida.
- Road team is 12-4 in Wests last 16 games behind home plate vs. Florida.
- Home team is 38-15 in Wests last 53 games behind home plate.
- Road team is 5-2 in Wests last 7 games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Over is 5-2 in Wests last 7 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Cincinnati.
- Marlins are 0-4 in their last 4 games with West behind home plate.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks - umpire is Larry Vanover
- Road team is 4-1 in Vanovers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Under is 4-1 in Vanovers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
- Over is 3-1-1 in Vanovers last 5 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 6-2 in Vanovers last 8 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
- Under is 5-2-1 in Vanovers last 8 games behind home plate.
- Home team is 7-3 in Vanovers last 10 games behind home plate vs. Arizona.
- Under is 11-5-1 in Vanovers last 17 games behind home plate vs. Chicago.
- Diamondbacks are 1-8 in their last 9 games with Vanover behind home plate.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Colorado Rockies – umpire is Eric Cooper
- Rockies are 4-0 in their last 4 games with Cooper behind home plate.
- Over is 4-0 in Coopers last 4 Saturday games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 4-0 in Coopers last 4 games behind home plate vs. Pittsburgh.
- Road team is 9-2 in Coopers last 11 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 4-1 in Coopers last 5 games behind home plate vs. Colorado.
- Over is 36-14-4 in Coopers last 54 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Home team is 15-7 in Coopers last 22 games behind home plate.
- Pirates are 0-6 in their last 6 games with Cooper behind home plate.
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers – umpire is Bob Davidson
- Over is 5-0 in Davidsons last 5 games behind home plate vs. Los Angeles.
- Home team is 5-1 in Davidsons last 6 games behind home plate.
- Padres are 5-1 in their last 6 games with Davidson behind home plate.
- Home team is 19-7 in Davidsons last 26 Saturday games behind home plate.
- Dodgers are 3-7 in their last 10 games with Davidson behind home plate.
Umpire trends are courtesy of COVERS.
==========================================================
Makes you want to go hmmm.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Pythagorus and Major League Baseball Go Together Quite Well
I was reading several articles today and felt the need to reprint one here that I found quite interesting. If you take the Pythagoreum theory and make it work for baseball you can do a rather accurate indicator has to how well a team should do for the season.
This is from Covers and you can find the entire article here. Covers is a great read on a daily basis as they have great insight into sports from a different angle.
I have reprinted this with their permission. Here is a portion of the article……
The baseball version of the Pythagorean theorem uses the numbers of runs scored and allowed by a team to determine its expected record. The formula is to square the number of runs scored and divide it by the numbers of runs scored squared plus the number of runs allowed squared.In other words, a team that scores 700 runs in a season and allows 700 runs in a season would be expected to finish exactly at .500 with an 81-81 record over a 162-game schedule. A team that scores 800 runs and allowed 600 runs would be expected to have a .640 winning percentage and a record of 104-58. Conversely, a team that scores 600 runs and allows 800 run would be expected to play at a .360 clip and finish 58-104.There are four teams this season who have underperformed their Pythagorean records by two wins. The math says these teams are poised for a regression to the mean, stat talk for a market correction, and could be good plays if undervalued by the oddsmakers. Let’s take a look at the four teams and some starting pitchers who would benefit from their teams’ change of luck.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS The Cardinals are scoring 5.18 runs a game and allowing 3.77, which should be good for a 14-8 records. Instead, they are 12-10. Despite the inefficiency, the Cardinals are hitting a National League-best .327 with runners in scoring position and two outs but that has been mitigated by grounding into double plays in 19 percent of their plate appearances with a runner on first base and less than two outs, the worst figure in the league. When the regression to the mean occurs, Chris Carpenter should benefit. The Cardinals have lost all five of his starts this season, even though his ERA of 3.90 is just 0.05 below the NL average. Furthermore, he has been the worst pitcher against the moneyline at minus-797.
ATLANTA BRAVES The Braves’ averages per game are 3.78 runs scored and 3.30 runs allowed, which should translate to a 13-10 record. Instead, they are a game under .500 at 11-12, though the regression seemed to start over the weekend when they swept a three-game series from the Giants in San Francisco. Still, the Braves have the second-worst on-base percentage (.302) and third lowest batting average (.229) in the NL.Tommy Hanson and Derek Lowe are candidates for better records when things start evening out. Both are 2-3, even though Hanson has a 3.21 ERA and Lowe’s is 3.25 after five starts. The Braves are also 2-3 in their starts with Lowe at minus-149 against the line and Hanson at minus-220.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS The Athletics are giving up just 3.09 runs a game, best in the American League, while scoring 3.64. They should be 13-9 despite the lack of offense but are instead 11-11. The Athletics’ offense ranks among the bottom half in the AL in all categories but its biggest weakness is a lack of power as their .354 slugging percentage is 12th in the 14-team league.A resurgent Brandon McCarthy, back in top form after years of injuries, is the starter who figures to gain the most if the Athletics enjoy a market correction. He is only 1-1 but has an outstanding 2.10 ERA through four starts. The Athletics are just 1-3 in his starts and -216 against the line.
CINCINNATI REDS The Reds should be 13-9 rather than 11-11 since they are averaging 5.18 runs a game and giving up 4.41. The rotation is missing injured Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey and it shows as the Reds have issued 80 walks this season, the third-highest total in the NL.The pitching certainly hasn’t been good but there is one starter who has pitched better than his record and figures to get some wins when things smooth out. That is Sam LeCure, who is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA but has an outstanding 17/4 strikeout/walk ratio. The Reds have gone 1-2 and minus-187 in his three starts.
Now that is fascinating stuff. However, following the Cardinals everyday we should have at least 4 more wins due to the 4 blown saves that the Cardinals have given up already this year.
=============================================
Just an update that it has been about a year since I retired from teaching English and Writing. I haven’t found anything I don’t like about retirement yet. I love to sit and do internet writing about sports and wouldn’t mind doing more of it if the opportunity exists.
==================================================
Opening Day Power Rankings-Let’s Get the Party Started!
