I just called the Commissioner's office

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 3:19 PM PDT Comment 122 comments

Yeah, I was still upset about the game times.

I did a search and found this page:

http://www.rauzulusstreet.com/baseball/mlb/mlbdirectory.htm

To my surprise, the phone number was answered by a live voice and I was transferred immediately to the media section.

The man I spoke with was extremely sympathetic, but explained that we are not a large market (true) and that baseball has to try hard to capture air time during football (also true), but I got the impression that just because the A's stadium might not have a lot of fans, he thought that the A's themselves might not have a lot of fans (untrue -- AN proves this).

I didn't say anything about AN; I just said that I was a concerned fan who was PISSED that BOTH of my game times were over breakfast. I told him I had watched/listened to 162 games this year and now I have to struggle to see the PLAYOFFS.

Not to mention, our players are used to playing at night, and now have to completely readjust for their biggest games ever.

I think there are enough of us mad that it might make a difference. I would think that writing is a better option; it seems more tangible, but express however you need to.

Here is the email page.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/help/contact_us.jsp

I'm writing a follow-up email, and maybe if we flood MLB, at LEAST we have been heard. Nothing will happen unless we give it a shot. Let them try to tell themselves that the A's are a small market. Maybe in Oakland, this is true, but there are enough fans around the rest of the U.S. that we HAVE to get a little attention.

Updated Numbers
From Rickeyfan
And I called the Customer Support toll-free number: 866-800-1275 to talk to the nice lady (who said my call was the third one today).

She gave me the following #'s for MLB's East Coast offices.

(212) 485-3444
(212) 931-7777
(212) 931-7800

And fill out the ESPN poll!

VOTE HERE!

0 recs | Comment 122 comments

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Comments

Thanks for finding/posting

I'd drafting my email right now.

"Listen, my attitude is a whole lot better when we win..." Our favorite GM

by LongTimeFan on Oct 2, 2006 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks BBG!

I've just been reading some of the comments...

It doesn't matter how small a market we are. They could've scheduled us at the same time as the Yankees. We want our playoff baseball.

MLB and the A's are losing a major chance to increase our local fan base thanks to this screwed up schedule.

We don't really care if other people across the country get to see us play or not. And we don't care about games with the New York teams. We're the A's fans, and the A's games need to be scheduled at times when WE CAN SEE THEM. We should not be forced to adjust to a 10am ballgame so they can shove the Yankees even further down our throats.

Bill James on Duane Kuiper: "It's absolutely incredible that a player this bad could be given 3000 at bats in the major leagues." -- Baseball Abstract, 1982

by blueconversechucks on Oct 2, 2006 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're not part of the solution...

..you're part of the problem. Great call to action, BBG.

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 2, 2006 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Love your passion

but changing hearts and minds in that industry is as difficult as electing a 3rd party Presidential candidate. Keep fighting the good fight for the "little" people.

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Oct 2, 2006 3:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey, every change started SOMEWHERE

I fully expect nothing to change. But what I want is MLB to know that the A's have the a fan base. I want them to hear from AN.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

roger

I'll get an email off right away :-)

"A's Brand Baseball: The worst best baseball you've ever seen!" -Chavvy

by ohtobe21likehuston on Oct 2, 2006 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats right!

as my history teacher is constantly reminding us; in every major revolution and risk taken by a govt. a small minority overthrew the majority. That's what we need here.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Oct 2, 2006 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The words of Margaret Mead ring true:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

"It's time to blow this team up." - Oaktoon, July 2006

by Ozzz on Oct 2, 2006 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh

I would tend to say it's usually if not always groups of large, uninformed citizens that change the world, usually not for the better...in a perfect world those words would ring true.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 2, 2006 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm

I dunno, I think its large groups of uninformed citizens (which I'm guessing is what you meant) that keep the world the same ...

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 2, 2006 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh, yes, that is what I meant

Not to generalize all of history, but...well, why don't we. The masses have always dictated policy, whether it be militarily, through civil wars, coup d'etats and other revolutions over things like primitive nationalism or to overcome repression (the latter of which I'd certainly sympthize with), or through peaceful political means. Leaders only respond to threats to their rule, and small groups, irregardless of how informed they are collectively, rarely pose a threat. Especially since being informed usually correlates with non-violence, which, unfortunately, is hardly a practical approach for changing the world.

The same applies to the behavior of large corporate entities, and baseball would fit here. MLB PR would be wise to address the pleas of A's fans in as polite a manner as possible, but nothing will be accomplished, for now or the future.

Small groups that possess information are also often corrupted by it, and tend to want to preserve the status quo, as information = power = wealth.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 2, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and by small group...

I'm definitely not thinking "sizable minority" or "coalition of small groups"...I'm staying true to the original quote here.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 2, 2006 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

Good! I wrote a diary telling people to take action too! It must be done.

by ORthey on Oct 2, 2006 3:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And, I guess we COULD all call :)

The office would be a little surprised, I think, to say the least.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 3:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We should

I think as many people as possible should call. It'll show how pissed we are.

Also, the email page you link to says it's for issues regarding the website... do you think it's the right place?

by ORthey on Oct 2, 2006 3:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That's all I could find.

"Fan comments" seem to sum it up.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the link

Email sent.

Nothing says fun like Premium Meat!

by lurkerD on Oct 2, 2006 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think people would rather see...

Santana vs. Zito than Robertson vs Wang. Plus it is not even on Fox. What a gyp...

Underdog Revolution!!

by OaktownRajah on Oct 2, 2006 4:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

done and done

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

First off you rock

Secondly I've complained to the contact_us page plenty of times, and always to lukewarm or neglible responses. I am disappointed in my own easy acceptance of being screwed by MLB on game times. My cell phone is on the fritz right now but I'll call as soon as it decides to be nice to me again.

by dmcewan on Oct 2, 2006 4:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Done.

Thanks for taking the initiative, BBG!

Certum est quod certum reddi potest.

by oblique on Oct 2, 2006 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice work BBG....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 2, 2006 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

E-mail sent

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my extreme frustration with the Oakland A's postseason schedule. While I am cognizant of the fact that game times are selected to maximize advertising revenue, I don't think that the integrity of the game should be compromised to achieve that goal.

Asking a West Coast team to play two games at 10AM PDT puts them at a significant competitive disadvantage in relation to their other teams. At a minimum, the first game should have been at a more reasonable hour to allow players to acclimate to the time change and ensure the most level playing field possible.

Further, it is disappointing that fans who have supported their team all year long must skip work if they want to see the penultimate games of their seasons.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments. I hope that in the future, the competitive impact of game scheduling is given equal consideration to advertising revenue.

Regards,
John-Paul Ramin

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on Oct 2, 2006 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Awsome

by oaklandbbfan on Oct 2, 2006 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

while im upset that the games are in the morning

because it effects our players in a (possibly) negative way, im glad that i have an excellent excuse to miss class tomorrow and work on wednesday.

im just upset i wont be able to crack a beer while watching...

by digsthelongball on Oct 2, 2006 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could skip class....

but I already skipped too many for them already this semester. :(

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time

by athleticscatcher on Oct 2, 2006 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey...

great minds think alike, but we'll be kicking some back at the NYC meetup, haha. 1 pm aint too early. :-)

"Christ, evidentally I played against Swisher in '02 when he was at OSU and Granderson when he was at Illinois-Chicago."

by compy75 on Oct 2, 2006 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Email sent

by slobberknocker on Oct 2, 2006 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Email sent too....

Disgraceful used multiple times.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Oct 2, 2006 4:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You too?

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You may want to get the Twins fans in on this

because I think several of them are similarly annoyed at the timing of it. I know at least one person in Minneapolis who ordered tickets to Tuesday and Wednesday's games, but who can't go because he can't get off work for the afternoon. I'm definitely forwarding your post to him so he has an outlet besides his friends to yell at :)

The Twins are similarly viewed as a small-market no-ratings team too, which is ridiculous -- it's Zito vs. Santana, for crying out loud! What kind of baseball fan wouldn't want to watch that? Oh, right, the same kind that probably went "Who?" when they were told Joe Mauer beat Derek Jeter for the batting title.

Marinerds - a different daily dose of baseblog.

by Deanna on Oct 2, 2006 4:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Can you copy this diary over there?

The more, the merrier.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never mind, I just did it :)

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually don't read Twinkie Town

but I do read Bat-Girl, and forwarded her this post.

Small market, big voices. Three out of the four teams in the ALDS aren't even ON the east coast.

Marinerds - a different daily dose of baseblog.

by Deanna on Oct 2, 2006 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Email sent...

thanks, bbg.

Caramel Apple

by Ice Cream on Oct 2, 2006 4:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm annoyed, don't get me wrong...

But I'm thankful:

They are actually showing the games
They aren't showing the games on The Family Channel again
I don't have to stay up until two in the morning to see the end of the game... but I will do it if I have to
The game times don't overlap
We won't have to switch channels in the middle of the broadcast (hello, 2003?)

It sucks for the players, but they do it all the time. Every teams deals with the travel. They should know what their body needs to be ready for tomorrow.

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BOO!

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Oct 2, 2006 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay see...

...but your points are all the MINIMUM requirements of what MLB should do. Bare minimum, we should see the games.

Which...a lot of us can't without missing significant work time this week. I'm just asking for a LITTLE consideration. I'd be okay with ONE early morning start, as long as I could watch the next day.

But 10AM, 10AM, and 1PM in ONE WEEK? That's ridiculous.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to get your priorities straight.

Do you want a job, or do you want to see the A's?

"Kiss off, ass face!>

And it's only 10AM on the West coast. :)

Sure, it would be nice if the game times rotated or something. But MLB is a business. They are trying to make money. As much as I hate it, showing the A's/Twins matchup in prime time won't make them as much money as the NY games. I don't blame them.

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Barry Zito vs. Johan Santana

is (or SHOULD BE) a match-up that every baseball fan should care about, regardless of which team they are on. I'd watch it again next year, with almost as much interest.

And there is no reason not to have two games a day, every day, until the first round is over. Give everyone a 4PM and a 7PM EST start and that would help immensely.

But asking fans to take THREE days off work in a week sucks, and as for the business side of it, how much more revenue would they gain if they marketed that kind of a pitching duel at a reasonable hour for baseball?

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Family H8r.

by mikeA on Oct 2, 2006 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I'm also a Jesus h8r, a MaEl h8r, and a puppy h8r (except in casseroles).

"We did it, finally."

by Jennifer on Oct 2, 2006 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus casserole ?

That's just weird.

"Even if you know the deck is stacked in your favor, you still have to have the discipline to trust the math and the cojones to go to the ATM." BB

by green star oakland on Oct 2, 2006 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not?

There's a Jesus Pan!

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Almost works as a Dennis Eckersley pan.

But seriously, it would be nice to finally get an imprint of Our Saviour on some nice Chiots ? la Proven?ale.

"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 2, 2006 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Email sent

My wife and I were looking for a way to provide feedback.

Thanks, BBG

by Lafayette Scotsman on Oct 2, 2006 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Email sent. Hell, I think they should

close school and make it a national holiday, but we don't even have election day fall on a day off or make it a holiday (as they do in many countries).

"The guy's Far Eastern. Psychic. He knows what the hitters are looking for, and he relays that to me," Zito said.

by LAXile on Oct 2, 2006 5:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Email sent

Are others (NRAF's) including that they are oakland fans, not living in oakland. I think if they see that the A's have a large fan base outside of oakland, this might have as much impact as well. I have forwarded the email addr to my Marine A's fans overseas.

while I'm GM, I'd get the black uniform tops back into the mix, make high socks mandatory and add a beer tap in the press box-Mychael Urban

by jb on Oct 2, 2006 5:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just to be sure....

Everyone is emailing through the link given above right? I want to make sure this goes to the right place.

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time

by athleticscatcher on Oct 2, 2006 5:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hate to be the fly in the ointment, but...

...I think it's ridiculous.

Remember back in 1995, when the powers that be came up with the Baseball Network for the playoffs? That gadget of making sure that all the games were in prime time, but you only either A) got to see the local team only, or B) the most local team near you.

THAT was a screwed up system! No wonder it only lasted a year, to which we have the current system the way it now is. Back then in the 90's the NBA was king when it came to playoff time. Why? Because they were able to pull TV to where you could watch EVERY post-season game possible. No two were scheduled at the same time.

I knew going in that we were going to have day games this afternoon. When you have two New York teams, one LA team and St. Louis, we were at best fifth market-wise (I imagine St. Louis is a smaller market, but a more important market baseball-wise). And we were either facing Detroit or the Twins, so day it was.

Am I upset about the game time? Yes. Especially tomorrow since I've got a 11AM meeting at work, therefore really only watching the last hour of the game. But I would even be more upset if we were still back in 1995, because I wouldn't even have the opportunity to watch the A's because the Dodgers and Mets would be on down here.

By the way, remember that the Twins are just as used to playing night baseball, and they have to adjust as well. They've got more than a day to do so. I'm sure they were flown from Anaheim to Minnesota and were ordered to get a good night's sleep and adjust to the time in order to play a 12PM start time for the next two days.

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 2, 2006 5:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

See, but again, it's not 1955.

And I refuse to accept the reasoning that the A's don't have the fans, so they get the shaft.

They are going by attendance in Oakland and TV viewing in Oakland, not even considering that there may actually be more A's fans than they think around the country, and even the world.

Just because New York is the largest market does not mean that we have to accept getting screwed out of playoff viewing. There MUST be a better solution. What about using the current 'off days' to get in all the games at 4PM or 7PM EST? It can't be that hard at two games a night, to finish the first round.

The point is...I'm sick of being the small market, and maybe we are. But being on AN day after day, leads me to believe that inaccurate numbers are being reported about how many 'Oakland' fans are out there.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you know how this works.

I believe there are more A's fans out there. but let's be honest with ourselves. There are definitely more Yankees fans. On top of that, the casual baseball viewer would rather see jeter, a-rod, and giambi then chavez, bradley, and thomas. or cuddyer, morneau, and mauer for that matter.

by MikeyJ on Oct 2, 2006 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But...Zito vs. Santana?!

It's like a baseball dream!

(Except for the time)

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But with the three games a day to start with...

...somebody is going to get the shaft.

And that is us, no matter how you look at it. I'm not saying that the A's don't have a huge fan base (and, let's face it, in October when your team is still playing, EVERYONE has a huge fan base, including the Marlins) but with the way it's set up right now, everyone gets the shaft.

Do I like your idea of maybe only having two games a day and thus giving teams the extra day off. For television it makes sense, but then it means that all managers go to a three game rotation in the first round. It means less managing and all the sudden the team that has three solid starters becomes the favorite, no matter when they finished in the regular season.

You could have two teams overlapping at 4 or 7, with one game on ESPN and the other on ESPN2, but the bottom line is the ratings are bigger when you only have one post-season game on at a time. And if the A's and Twins overlap the Yankees and Tigers, guess who gets the better ratings. And it only fuels their fire to stagger the playoff schedule even more.

Going into this round, you knew that the Yankees/Tigers and the Mets/Dodgers were going to get the better spots. That leaves our series and the Padres/Cards. One series starts in Minneapolis, the other in San Diego. It was a no-brainer that we get the 10AM start and not the other series that starts on the West Coast.

It is a perfect scenario? No. But truthfully it's better than the Baseball Network back in '95, and it's better than overlapping games.

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 3, 2006 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

why stop there

This thread should be posted on all small market blogs and message boards that people know of, the twins' especially. How cool would that be to give emails from tons of fans not just A's fans?

by OaktownIn06 on Oct 2, 2006 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Post away!

I put it up on the Twinkie site.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

did it

email sent

( good grammer and language as well ) LOL

Thanks so much BBG!

Lets go Oakland! Check out my blog:http://sportsrus33.blogspot.com/

by bballfanr33 on Oct 2, 2006 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

VERY nice, Robb!

I'm proud of you! :)

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a large market???

The Bay Area is anything but a small market, not to mention the potential fan appeal beyond the immediate local area.

MLB has just not cared to make the effort to generate enough interest.

by OaklandSi on Oct 2, 2006 6:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what

Charlie Finley would have done. He did what he wanted and told the comissioner off several times. ie: when Bowie Kuhn demanded a public apology after Finley called him a village idiot. Finley, at a press conference apologized to all of the village idiots.
I'm writing the new village idiot after this post.

by billyball1981 on Oct 2, 2006 6:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My source of irritation

Minnesota plays in a DOME. Sunlight is not a concern at all. We can easily start at 4:00, put the Yankees on at 7:00, and play San Diego at 10:00. That would give Minnesotans a 5:00 start their time, a slightly more reasonable 1:00 start for Oakland fans, and San Diego would get a night game.

The playoffs are meant to be played at night. If that can't be done, at least push us off til the 4pm EST timeblock...

Too bad we didn't win homefield, though...then we would have been at 10:00 probably...

by SeanR on Oct 2, 2006 6:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just sent my well-articulated bit of

Venom Spewing opinions off to the link you provided - where I am sure there is an intern wearing a Yankees hat reading it right now and laughing about the genius of MLB and their ability to obviously belittle our "small" market with no reprecussions.

I do, however, feel much, much better.

by SD Erik on Oct 2, 2006 6:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The A's do not have a lot of fans

Relatively speaking. More than twice as many people watch Giants games than A's games, even though they are on at the same times. Now compare the A's to the Yankees, who have millions upon millions more fans than the A's have. I don't see how AN "proves" that the A's have anywhere near the number of fans that other Major League teams have.

by Nick86 on Oct 2, 2006 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Half the A's regular season games...

...are broadcast by a station in the South Bay (KICU) that a huge portion of relatively local A's fans can't see, even with cable subscriptions! Ask anyone in Sacramento or the North Bay.

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Done.....

Email sent.
I will be calling tomorrow.
This really pisses me off.
Thanks to BBG for starting the flood.

To be contiuned...........

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Oct 2, 2006 7:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank You BBG

Proud of you. It may not do much short term but that's how changes happen. People either force the change or work towards it. Thanks for not just sitting around bitching and moaning like most of us.

by IM4Oakgal on Oct 2, 2006 7:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fan-freakin-tastic, bbg!

Email sent!

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 7:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

by paradox on Oct 2, 2006 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take it to ESPN too!

The below link is to a new poll on ESPN:

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/mlb/index?&lpos=globalnav&lid=gn_MLB_MLB

Basically, which series are you most interested in? Our series in currently second.

Maybe we could utilize our AN power and vote?

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Oct 2, 2006 7:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2nd place...

...but probably mostly due to Twins fans. Check out the results map after you vote -- California & Nevada prefer Mets-Dodgers by a very large margin... :(

"I miss taking showers with Kendall" ~ Brian Giles

by Poppy on Oct 2, 2006 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I voted and I think it's a great idea...

for A's fans to do so . Let's sway that dang thing in our favor.

by IM4Oakgal on Oct 2, 2006 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BBG - Can you put this link in the diary, too? :)

It'd be nice to push California into a green state to show ESPN that there is solid support for the A's-Twins series.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I e-mailed MLB

Using text from this I wrote last night.

West Coast Fans Snubbed by MLB, TV
http://www.louisgray.com/live/files/mlb_westcoast_fans_snubbed.html

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Oct 2, 2006 8:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this article was

written really great. thank you

by smasfan on Oct 2, 2006 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Email sent

And I called the
Customer Support toll-free number: 866-800-1275
to talk to the nice lady (who said my call was the third one today).

She gave me the following #'s for MLB's East Coast offices.
(212) 485-3444
(212) 931-7777
(212) 931-7800

Yes, they would be long distance, but I think it's worthwhile (and I'm sure many cell phone plans include free long-distance). I'm definitely calling tomorrow morning to give them a piece of my mind. BBG - if you want edit the diary to include this number, I think it'd be great if we could get A's fans (and maybe send the message onto Dodger and Padre fans) to call into the numbers to voice our complaints, it could force MLB to acknowledge, if not address the issue.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 8:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just sent my email in.

clean slate....go for it!

by ak_A on Oct 2, 2006 8:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

stupid scheduling

I'm just gald I can work at home Tuesday and Friday. Stupid training class is making me be in the office Wednesday. I'm gonna be so pissed all day about having to be there.

by chri5 on Oct 2, 2006 8:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tell me about it

I have a weekly meeting on Tuesdays that goes from 11-12, and usually goes long ... it's gonna drive me nuts ... and unfortunately, the rest of the office seems like it couldn't care less about baseball, much less the A's. (Our department's annual appreciation outing at an A's game (Sept 6th) was cancelled the week before, and I think I was the hardest hit by it.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're No. 6!

RANK Designated Market Area (DMA) TV Homes % of US
1 New York 7,375,530 6.692
2 Los Angeles 5,536,430 5.023
3 Chicago 3,430,790 3.113
4 Philadelphia 2,925,560 2.654
5 Boston (Manchester) 2,375,310 2.155
6 San Francisco-Oak-San Jose 2,355,740 2.137
7 Dallas-Ft. Worth 2,336,140 2.120
8 Washington, DC (Hagrstwn) 2,252,550 2.044
9 Atlanta 2,097,220 1.903
10 Houston 1,938,670 1.759
11 Detroit 1,936,350 1.757
12 Tampa-St. Pete (Sarasota) 1,710,400 1.552
13 Seattle-Tacoma 1,701,950 1.544
14 Phoenix (Prescott) 1,660,430 1.507
15 Minneapolis-St. Paul 1,652,940 1.500
16 Cleveland-Akron (Canton) 1,541,780 1.399
17 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale 1,522,960 1.382
18 Denver 1,415,180 1.284
19 Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto 1,345,820 1.221

by BleacherDave on Oct 2, 2006 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

for sports' purposes...

might as well lump in #19 with # 6

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Oct 2, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This only fuels my argument more...

Take a look at the markets involved and you'll see...

Mets/Dodgers: #1 vs. #2
Yankees/Tigers: #1 vs. under #19
A's/Twins: #6 vs. #15
Padres/Cards: under #19 vs. under #19

Now we don't know by this post alone where San Diego, Detroit and St. Louis stands. I would imagine that it goes in this order: Detroit, St. Louis and San Diego.

If anything we should be pissed off at St. Louis because they tanked so badly and they dropped to the #3 seed. If that game is played in St. Louis today, they're probably the 10AM game and we play at 1PM.

The one thing that goes against my argument is that the Dodgers and Mets should be the prime-time matchup. But then again it's the Yankees world, and the Yankees trump everything, doesn't it?

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 3, 2006 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I called the MLB offices this year to complain

about blackout rules in Vegas for Extra Innings.

In Vegas, they claim the A's,Giants,Angels,Dodgers,Diamondbacks and Padres as local teams so I NEVER get to see A's games.

But I digress..... anyways, the offices were rude and said they have nothing to do with it and to call my local cable company.

"I hate the Angels"

by Vegas A's Fan on Oct 2, 2006 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

EMailed and voted

And I told them I was sitting in the middle of the bull-shit (NY Metro) and how about giving us baseball for baseball's sake like they promised they were going to get back to after the strike. This really is so frustrating, basically because I don't LOVE drinking in the middle of the afternoon but I am being driven to it by Major League Baseball so therefore I am powerless to resist.

by AndreafromNJ on Oct 2, 2006 9:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I need someone to explain this to me

A) the yankees and the east coast teams have the biggest market.
B) the a's and the west coast teams have the smallest market.
C) the concern for the game times is marketability/advertising dollars and (I'm assuming here) maximizing the audience.
D) no game times will overlap because that would supposedly be "bad"

If A thru D are really the case, wouldn't you show the Yankees at the crack of dawn to insure that you actually have an audience during those times? We all know that they're going to have a huge audience regardless of when they play, but if MLB has concerns that the A's and the west coast don't have a big audience, wouldn't you show them at a time that will maximize the ability of their supposedly few fans to watch?
This is the big one, if they really have a concern over the audience that the A's have, shouldn't they put them in prime time and put a big fat spot light on them in order to BUILD their audience. We all know the Yankees don't need a spot light on them, they already of the MLB, Fox & ESPN suns beaming down on them and blinding everyone else. Give the "struggling" team the exposure, playing us in the wee hours of the morning escentially hides our existence from the rest of the world which is really what MLB et al is trying to do here.

by DMOAS on Oct 2, 2006 9:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

EXCELLENT point...

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've explained it to yourself

C) is the biggest reason. Advertisers want safe, tried-and-true ratings winners, and the big money teams tend to dominate. The last thing advertisers want is for MLB to experimentally "build" the A's audience by putting them in a preferred timeslot. How long would it take the build the A's fanbase in this manner? And wouldn't such a move make more sense during the regular season, when there is less risk?

This isn't like regular network TV, where a new show can follow a proven performer, giving it a nice lead-in audience. At the same time, ad dollars still rule, and programming is formulated at all times to fit demographic and consumer profiles, so in that sense baseball isn't any different.

You want to move the A's to primetime? Buy a bunch of Budweiser/McDonald's/GM cars in the Bay Area. A blip there (along with a nice ratings bump) could get someone to notice.

by vertig0 on Oct 2, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well said

because that's the crux of the problem right there. The big three (MLB, Fox & ESPN) spend there entire season and offseason ignoring the A's and the west coast basically killing any chance of an audience while perpetuating the myth that all anyone really cares about is the Yankees and Red sox leaving us in this crappy situation.

You want a real safe way of helping to build an audience? Devote some time and energy on them on their websites. Advertising dollars there are weak and it's very easy for the to do, if that is, they hired a writer or two from these parts of the world.

by DMOAS on Oct 3, 2006 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but...

...how many Yankees fans are misplaced on the West Coast as compared to A's fans on the East? They're might be old Philly A fans, but they're probably doing non-phsyical yardwork right now in a pasture with a bunch of tombstones.

Nobody from the West Coast moves East, it's predominately East moving to West, courtesy of better weather. So having the Yankees on at prime-time is always going to be the best bet.

Do I like it? No. But that's how life works, and we all must surrender to it.

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 3, 2006 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are awesome, BBG.

I'm definitely gonna write 'em a letter.

I mean, even having ONE game at a reasonable hour during the week would be a huge f'ing victory for the small market fans. Can't they even give us one freakin' game that isn't in the morning/early afternoon?

Zito v. Santana is a HUGE matchup. It deserves better.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Oct 2, 2006 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No kidding

NO KIDDING! What kind of a baseball fan doesn't want to see that matchup?

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 2, 2006 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BleacherDave

As you point out we have the short end of the smallest two-team market in the country. DMOAS, I can see where you're going with this, but think about it: there are many more casual Yanks fans than A's fans. Believe me: I go to school outside Philadelphia, and I can't tell you how many Eagles-Yankees fans from PA or Pats-Yankees fans from CT there are. These fans will probably watch the Yanks at 8, but might not skip class to see them at 1, which I will be doing. Does anyone here actually think that MLB would stand to make a HIGHER profit if they played the A's in primetime?

by Nick86 on Oct 2, 2006 9:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So the question is

Would revenue for Yankees game @ 8EST/5PST alone (because viewship for West Coast AM game will be neglible)

be greater than

Yankees game @ 6EST/3PST PLUS West Coast game @ 9EST/6PST? And even if it is the case somehow, taking the longer view, which scenario is better for the long term health of the sport (on the West Coast)?

by Rickeyfan on Oct 2, 2006 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nick86

But you have to ask yourself: Why are there so many casual Yankee fans. Sure there is more than one reason. But I think one of the primary ones is that they are on TV so often! They're all you hear about on ESPN and they are always televised when people are watching. That's partly why there are so many fans. If the A's got more exposure more people would start liking them too. Do personal profiles on A's players like they do on Yankees players (A-rod's slump, Jeter's cologne) during SportsCenter and you'd have more people interested in the A's.

by Bleeding the Green and Gold on Oct 2, 2006 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I partly agree with your point...

but I actually believe the ratings would be better overall if the A's & Yankees games were switched.

The casual baseball fan will watch during prime time regardless of the match, that's why they're casual. The die hard is the only one who will show up in the AM. If the Yankees have far more diehards then the A's, you need to show them in the morning and lose out on the some of the yankee fans while maximizing the A's fans.

While the Yankees are a superior draw for an individual game, showing the west coast (not necessarily the A's here) is far better for the sport then yet another primetime yankee game.

MLB needs to show that there is more than one team and that the other 29 teams are not there for the yankees to beat up on. If MLB seriously wants to prove to the Olympic committee that the sport has worldly appeal it first needs to prove to MLB FANS that there's baseball being played outside of NY.

by DMOAS on Oct 2, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

emailed and voted

thanks for the diary and hope a lot of people vote and email

by smasfan on Oct 2, 2006 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think people should email Journalists

Get some people high up, like Neyer, Gammons, and some of the Chronicle writers to critique this situation. Bunch of bull if you ask me,

You know I'm so Bay wit' it Athletics A's fitted

by drummer510 on Oct 2, 2006 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Salt in the wound, hope the KTVU and A's radio

sync up.

from Steve Kroner in Tuesday's Chron:

Miller and Morgan will work today's game at the Metrodome and then are set to do the Tigers-Yankees telecasts Wednesday night in New York and Friday night in Detroit.

Morgan will have a particularly busy Wednesday: He's also going to work the Dodgers-Mets opener at 1 p.m. PDT with play-by-play man Gary Thorne and analyst Steve Phillips. Morgan said he'll have a police escort to get him from Shea Stadium to Yankee Stadium and, if the NL game goes too long, he'll leave the analyst duties solely to Phillips so Morgan can make it to the Bronx in time for Mike Mussina's first pitch.

Joe Morgan's last police escort didn't work out so well, but he did get $450k for the inconvenience.

by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 2, 2006 11:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the work putting this together...

I emailed my displeasure as well. I'd think it's unlikely anything will change in the future based around such bad decisions - but there is absolutely no chance of change without voicing displeasure - so at least we have a chance.

Thanks again.

by NewPosterMojo on Oct 2, 2006 11:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank you BBG

Don't forget - all of us represent the target audience and end-user for that all and ever important advertising revenue.

Thank you BBG for getting this snowball rolling downhill (it is gaining girth and momentum).

Also, Thank You to Jeepers for posting a well-written "form letter" - I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of using it as the base for my submisssion, (in the interest of time and non-confrontation).

GO A"s!
Cheers,
Craig

by PhillyCraig on Oct 3, 2006 6:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Called the 212 931 7800

I just called and the guy that answered listened, but seemed minorly dismissive (he didn't necessarily agree that it was unfair to the teams). I wavered somewhere around the indignant part of the spectrum, but like the Nielson ratings, I figure each call represents and X number of fans. Enough of us calling would go to show that there's a sizeable contigency that's very dissatisfied with the start times.

Although there's nothing I can do about it, not being a Nielson household, I wish there was some way to spread the message to boycott the watching of the Yankee games the next two nights if you're not a Yankees/Tigers fan. I, for one, refuse to watch those games out of principle. If I can't watch my own team live on TV, I will not watch the Yankees by default.

by Rickeyfan on Oct 3, 2006 7:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

gah, I oughta use the prev button for spellcheck

'an'
and
'contingency'

by Rickeyfan on Oct 3, 2006 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

every call

Every call and every email costs MLB somewhere between $3-20 depending upon where the call center that handles it is, and whether they are employed by MLB or outsourced. So the more emails/calls they get the more it costs them.

by chri5 on Oct 3, 2006 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was probably dismissive...

...because you were the 196,490th caller today with that same complaint. He's probably already started drinking and cursing A's fans. : )

Lance Armstrong can make homophobic jokes on ESPN, yet Harold Reynolds pays the ultimate price? Explain that to me.

by gmoneymcg on Oct 3, 2006 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Next time use the Bat Signal!

The Green and Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Oct 3, 2006 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it is important in your calls and emails

to say that you are sufficiently ticked off that you will be boycotting the Yanks/Tigers game. Since most of us are not Nielsen homes, we need to make MLB/ESPN aware that they are losing viewers for their "preferred" game with this unfair scheduling. Seems the only way to have an effect would be if we could convince them it was hurting their revenue, they certainly don't care about fairness to fans or players.

by AsFanInLA on Oct 3, 2006 8:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I called as well

The guy was fairly sympathetic, and also he said he's been hearing from a lot of A's fans. So, that's good. He seemed nervous. Maybe we're getting to them!

He also said, "We can't change the schedule at this point." I wanted to say, "Pleeeeeeease?"

by ORthey on Oct 3, 2006 9:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember the last A's/Twins playoff series...

And the A's had homefield advantage. I remember people had a hard time showing up to those middle-of-the-week daytime games, but the weekend games in the late afternoon in Minnesota were packed. Mabye the Metrodome won't be so full today. Or so loud. That being said, I'm still pissed, and wrote this email:

I live out of the A's area, and all season long I've had to endure the nationally telivised games showing the vast majority of Yankees and Red Sox games. The only time I get to see the A's play is if they play the Yankees or Red Sox. And now, that the A's have made the playoffs, and the national market has to show the A's, they get pushed to 10am in the morning? This is insulting. Why schedule playoff games no one can see? I'm fed up with MLB and ESPN. If you want the Red Sox and Yankees fans, good for you, but you have alienated the rest of baseball's fans. I'm through with you.

by Steve on Oct 3, 2006 9:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

More fly in the ointment

I admire the hell out of everybody who's trying to make a difference here, but I actually kind of like the A's playing at 10 AM, 10 AM, and 1 PM this week. I realize that not everybody has a boss who is a huge baseball fan and encourages long lunches to catch your favorite team's game, but today feels like the start of the NCAA Basketball Tournament to me. There will be baseball on all day long - not Kansas City vs. Tampa Bay, either. All games that count. This is a baseball fan's nirvana.

I'm reminded of my uncles' nostalgia for the World Series when they were kids - they'd sneak radios into school and listen very quietly.

10 AM baseball feels different. It feels important. It feels like something that matters. I'm for it.

It doesn't hurt that my office has a flat panel TV with DirecTV, but still.

I feel for those of you with work/school hardships, but I like day (er...morning) baseball, and I'm excited that the A's-Twins gets the whole thing started today.

Go A's!

by Dog Days on Oct 3, 2006 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Voice your displeasure!!!!!

Call Bud Selig's office 414-225-8900. Voice your complaints there.

by OaklandAs1978 on Oct 3, 2006 1:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My Email

This is frankly pathetic. The start time for the ALDS matchup between the Twins and the A's is an insult to the players, the fans, and the sport itself.

I never write these sorts of emails because I am quite sure that they end up in the deleted items box, but it would be wrong not to respond.

As a lifelong Athletics fan, I understand that the A's are considered a "Small Market" team. But this is really more an effect of the bias shown in the media. The San Francisco Bay Area is an enormous urban area, and one that is ripe for development through the proper marketing. But instead of trying to develop the fanbase there, MLB has consistently engaged in the type of behavior that is sure to discourage growth. Today's game scheduling is a prime example.

With the recent poor performance of the Forty-Niners, the Raiders, and the Giants, SF Bay Area sports fans are primed to embrace this plucky team of Champions. But they need to be given the opportunity. So rather than scheduling the games for prime time, we are spoon fed the usual New York fare.
So the next time you refer to the A's as a "small market" team, you should be more honest and refer to them as "a small market team we are trying to keep that way."

Hopefully, when the A's make the World Series, you can schedule the games for 4 am and continue your inept wondering at why football as surpassed baseball as America's favorite sport.

by 510inDenver on Oct 3, 2006 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually heard a lot of people talking about

what a shame that the best pitching matchup of the playoffs had to be so early. Nice to hear on the feed.

"I have an owie; can I go to first?" ~louismg on Vlad

by baseballgirl on Oct 3, 2006 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My e-mail to MLB

Dear Sir or Madam,
I understand mlb considers the A's & Twins small market. 10:00 am game for the Yankees? Steinbrenner would sue! You guys are making it even harder for us to creep out of the "small market" by scheduling games that local fans do not get to see due to work and school. Are there many Yankees fans on the west coast? Sure there is, and with this type of scheduling MLB is encouraging that not to change. Many West Coast Baseball fans could have got a taste of a great game today, possibly forcing a temporary aligiance which in turn would lend itself to watching future games, helping to eventually make teams like the A's & Twins develop a more broad market.
Instead, we (on the west coast) are only catching highlights of this great game during the Yankee pre-game. See what effect this will have on ratings if it is an A's v. Padres series, we on the west coast are tired of the East bias. AL/NL west fans would rather see regional action than have the Yankees/Boston shoved down our throats. In San Diego (padres I know) there were at least 3 times more yankee/boston games than SF/OAK/LAA/SD games, (regional excepted). Is this a waste of time? Will it ever stop?
What ever will MLB do if NY ends with a losing season, cancel the playoffs? Switch the AL west champion playoff games to 8:00 am est and show Yankees past higlights in prime time? I wouldn't be surprised. Thank god I love the A's or you would have lost a viewer for ever.

have a nice day.

by norcalfan on Oct 3, 2006 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We WON ALASKA!

On the ESPN poll. Not to mention all the great northern states. Even tied in Oregon and Colorado with those dreaded Yanks.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Oct 3, 2006 5:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know what pisses me off the most?

Beyond being day games for the first three, to schedule two day games in the dome is ridiclious! The roof is a disgrace in the first place, but with the problems caused by day games, to schedule two days games there is just irresponsable. We worked around it, barely, today. If you are going to let them keep that ridiculious roof that color, there should be no day games. Home field advantage should not include a ball-colored roof.

I'm not going to Cooperstown until Rickey does.

by rickey24 on Oct 3, 2006 5:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boycott ESPN

That is what I do, unless the only way I can see a game is if it is broadcast on that East coast Sports Programming Network.

UNTIL VIEWERSHIP DECREASES THEY WIN.

DON'T WATCH SPORTS CENTER

by Cal 2001 on Oct 3, 2006 5:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes I get the sense that...

...back in the mid-1990s, Bud Selig bet Gary Bettman that he could run MLB worse than Bettman could run the NHL.

But try as he might, Bud could never manage to run baseball quite as unsuccessfully as Gary ran hockey. He ignored conflicts of interest with his ownership of a team. He locked out players and cancelled a season. He looked the other way at a growing doping scandal. He threatened to eliminate teams that immediately proved to be competitive. He introduced an interleague play system that created six games that nobody cares about for every one rivalry game, ruined the mystique of the World Series and threatened to make the entire Senior Circuit finish under .500.

And still fan interest returned, while Gary Bettman let one measly strike spoil a season, and the entire league ended up on the Outdoor Life Network.

Obviously Bud hadn't tried hard enough. Perhaps having an entire playoff series played when everyone interested in it is at work? But look at how many diehard fans still show up!

Unless Bettman throws in the towel and lets hockey be the great game that it is (and there's precious little sign of that happening), Bud has to take it up a notch further.

Expect 3 am start times for every playoff game that doesn't involve the Yankees, Mets or BoSox next season.

"It took eight hours...seven-and-a-half to find the heart." -- Steve McCatty on Charlie Finley's heart surgery.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Oct 3, 2006 8:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BBG...

I applaud your efforts, but just because it doesn't benefit the A's doesn't mean it's wrong. As mad as I am about having A's games at 10am, I can see why. Yes, there are millions of A's fans worldwide. But NY is a bigger market. It's basic marketing to please the bigger market.

Go ahead, get mad, send emails, call. Let them know we have a passionate following. But the truth is until we win a World Series or two and acquire actual superstar players that the national media actually cares about... we will not and should not get that coveted night slot.

Asked where Zito's perfect fit would be, Hudson said, "Do they have a league on Mars?"
*Magic #: ZERO!*

by JLaff on Oct 3, 2006 9:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All that may be true...

Personally I think the best team should get the coveted spot, on the coveted station. And sadly that actually is the yankees. BUT, every team should be playing within their own area's prime time and if they can't, it should be within the home team's prime team and as close to the visiting team's as possible. With Fox, ESPN, EPSN2 & FSN, there's a channel for each game. If that means competition between networks/games so be it. At least they'll be able to tell who really should be on the main station.

Barring that, They could have arranged scheduling to avoid this sort of crap. Push back both National league games a day, show the Yankees at 7/8 EST and the A's/Twins at 10 EST, then flip days AL then NL. Better to give teams extra days off then it is to force them to play out of prime time AND it maximizes their marketing efforts to show all the games at a good time for advertisers. This would also help the competition because the match ups would include all team's best 2 starters 2/3 times and adds a whole new dimension to the ALDS.

by DMOAS on Oct 3, 2006 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't anyone here

spend the 5 bucks a month for TiVo or DVR?

by Reg on Oct 4, 2006 7:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

its on ktvu

in bay area so vcr if people still have them

by smasfan on Oct 4, 2006 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stupid Hawaii...

...2 people there think Franky T isn't a Hall of Famer. Morons! ;)

Me and your kid probably have the same IQ!! -Swisher to Chavvy

My Blog

by rungood on Oct 4, 2006 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Morning baseball works for me ...

It doesn't matter to me what time they play, I'm blowing off something else I should be doing. So it may as well be early morning - at least that way I'm not reading about the A's in anticipation of the game that day. I lose a couple hours of work early, but then I've had my A's fix and can get on with my day. Go A's.

by iceplant on Oct 4, 2006 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs