Boston Globe/Jim Davis
I like baseball. I’m not the biggest fan in the world, but it’s very difficult to live in the Boston area and not get pulled into Red Sox mania. The playoffs are starting Wednesday and I’m psyched. Well … I was psyched until I saw the schedule.
I understand that there are extenuating circumstances. Because the Sox are playing the LA Angels, the first games of the series are being played on the west coast, and I know that MLB has to schedule the games to get the best ratings. However, you would think that they would be somewhat merciful to us east-coasters – but, no. The first game of the series starts at 10:00 PM, and the second starts at 9:30 PM on the east coast, with the rest of the game times TBD.
Yes, this programming is probably more convenient for all the viewers on the west coast, but this is all about me! ME!!! Also, I can clearly remember a few years back when the Sox were playing Oakland in the playoffs and the games were starting around 4:00 on a weekday so that they could have an afternoon game in California, and I had to listen in the car on my commute. What the hell? Why all the hating MLB? Show us east coasters some love. We can’t stay up to 2:00 AM every night — at least I can’t. Oh well … go Sox! I’ll be eagerly anticipating the box scores.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Oct 01, 2008 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
Luckily I’m a transplanted Bostonian in LA, so it doesn’t affect me as much (other than having to watch on the small TV cause too much shit is being TIVOd on the other in prime time), but yeah, it’s just stupid, period. The main demographic for baseball is like the over 50 crowd, so this is stupid in more than one way – obviously putting your playoffs on too late for most kids to even watch means they won’t be into baseball as they grow up, and old people don’t like to stay up late.
Two strikes.
Welcome to the inconvenience of bi-coastal sports. When the Rockies first came to Denver, their afternoon games used to start at 3PM. Great time! People who work could actually take some time off early to go to the game, and no traffic disruption. Then the rest of the US found it inconvenient. The next year, all afternoon games went to 1PM. Too early to take a “little time” off of work to see a game (now you’re cutting into vacation territory) and the games let out just as the rest of the city gets off work.
MEEEEEEE is right. It SHOULD be all about me. Turns out (gasp) it is not. But, I am truly surprised it wasn’t all about you, either. ;-)
I am a transplanted Bay Stater living in the OC and while I can feel your pain, you really don’t want the Sox playing at an earlier time out here.
Late afternoon starts introduce some bad sun/shadow effects which markedly favor the pitcher over the batter. It’s nice that we are not getting those in the first 2 games.
Believe me, when Fox gets involved, all starts are at about 8:30 ET and that can mean some brutal conditions if LA or Halos are still playing.
Also you forget that the Dodgers are playing today in Chicago and TBS certainly wants no overlap between the 2 SoCal teams.
Go Sox!
I’m german living in Germany. Cry me a river.
Sox fans in Germany? Cool.
As for the shadows, Pete, don’t forget that both teams having batters and pitchers, so the effect is equal on both sides!