Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 127 of 1503)

      TV ratings booming for MLB teams – does baseball have NFL lockout to thank?

      April 5, 2011 /
      Players from the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles line up during the U.S. National Anthem during ceremonies before the Orioles’ home opening day MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland, April 4, 2011. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      A couple of weeks ago a buddy and I were talking about the NFL lockout and then we immediately shifted the conversation to our upcoming fantasy baseball drafts.

      For whatever reason it didn’t hit me until then (probably because I’m not that smart) but I realized just how much Major League Baseball stands to gain if the players and owners continue to ruin the NFL.

      It hasn’t even been a week, but already several MLB teams have set local TV ratings records. According to SportsBuinessDaily.com, the Orioles’ 4-0 start has translated to booming ratings for MASN. The network posted a 12.2 rating and 135,000 HHs in the Baltimore market for Monday’s home opener against the Tigers. For sake of comparison, the team averaged a 3.4 rating in Baltimore last season.

      The site also mentions that last Friday’s game between the Astros and Phillies set an opening-day rating record and Sunday’s matchup broke the record for a regular-season telecast. The Rangers, Blue Jays, FOX and ESPN all did very well over the weekend, too.

      Granted, it was opening weekend and the cold weather certainly encouraged people to stay indoors and flip on the tube. I’d like to see what the numbers look like in a couple of weeks when fans realize that there are still 140-plus games left to be played this season. Will the interest still be high in Baltimore if the Orioles go on a six-game losing streak? Will ESPN start to lose viewers when they begin showing only the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies and Mets on a weekly basis like they have over the past couple of years? (Furthermore, how long before people start to pass on the ESPN Sunday Night broadcast because they can’t stand Bobby Valentine and Orel Hershier, both of whom are atrocious in the booth.)

      That said, without daily NFL free agent news, I wouldn’t be shocked if people had a renewed sense of focus on baseball. The CBA mess has sucked most of the fun out of the NFL draft this year, so maybe fans (who are no doubt tired of the constant negative commentary surrounding the lockout) will stick with baseball long after the excitement from opening weekend fades away.

      Either way, Bud Selig and Co. have to love the early TV numbers and probably wouldn’t mind seeing the lockout go well into August or September. Not having to compete with the NFL (even its offseason) has to be a plus for Selig’s league.

      External Sports, MLB

      Judge bars secret recording in Barry Bonds’ perjury trial

      April 5, 2011 /
      Former San Francisco Giants baseball player Barry Bonds leaves the federal courthouse after his criminal trial at Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco, California March 29, 2011. The former home run king is facing four counts of perjury and one count of obstructing justice for allegedly lying under oath to a federal grand jury in 2003 about the use of performance-enhancing anabolic steroids. REUTERS/Stephen Lam (UNITED STATES – Tags: CRIME LAW SPORT BASEBALL)

      ESPN.com is reporting that a federal judge has barred the jury in the Barry Bonds’ perjury trial from hearing a newly discovered tape recording that prosecutors say would bolster their case that the former slugger knowingly used steroids.

      U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled the recording inadmissible because “it’s barely intelligible” and what can be heard is irrelevant.

      The tape was a conversation between Bonds’ orthopedic surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting and his former business partner, Steve Hoskins. Hoskins secretly recorded the conversation in 2003.

      Prosecutors had hoped to use the tape to win back some of the momentum they lost when Ting severely damaged Hoskins’ credibility.

      Ting last week flatly denied Hoskins’ testimony that the pair had about 50 conversations about Bonds and steroids. Ting said the two never discussed that topic.

      I love it. There’s a ton of the taxpayers’ money being spent on this trial and the result will likely be that Bonds will have to serve six months probation and no jail time. (Or something to that effect.)

      I believe it was the late, great Alonzo Harris from the movie “Training Day” that said: It’s not what you know – it’s what you can prove. The defense in this trial has already stated that Bonds took steroids. Everyone and their brother knows he took steroids. What the defense is trying to prove is that he didn’t knowingly take steroids, and that’s going to be hard to disprove. (Especially when the prosecution is relying on Watergate-like secret tapes that are being barred from use in court.)

      Like I said: Probation, no jail time. Book it.

      External Sports, MLB

      Bengals discussing Kevin Kolb internally?

      April 5, 2011 /
      Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb scrambles out of the grasp of Dallas Cowboys Igor Olshansky to pass for a touchdown early in second quarter Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game action in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field January 2, 2011. T UPI/John Anderson

      Even though they can’t make any trades until the CBA is signed, the Bengals have reportedly “floated the idea” of trading for Kevin Kolb internally according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

      “Make no mistake about it,” said Schefter. “The Bengals know they need to move on without Carson Palmer.”

      Schefter also notes that Cincinnati may strongly consider drafting a quarterback No. 4 overall, which would therefore make trading for Kolb a moot point. The team is in a tough position because if they don’t address their need at quarterback during the draft, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to trade for Kolb after the draft. And then what? They try to convince Palmer to change his mind or go into the season with Jordan Palmer as their starter? Yikes.

      The other problem is that the Bengals have been awfully conservative in the past when it comes to trades. With the Cardinals, Titans, 49ers and Vikings all in the market for a quarterback as well, they probably would be willing to give up more in a trade than Cincinnati would. And then what? The Bengals try to convince Palmer to change his mind or go into the season with Jordan Palmer as their starter? Yiiiiikes.

      The most logical scenario is that the Bengals will draft a quarterback in one of the first two rounds and bypass the idea of trading for Kolb. It’s not the ideal way to look at things because hey, if you like Kolb and think he gives you the best chance to win, then trade for him. But these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures for teams like the Bengals.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Mike Vrabel arrested for theft at Indiana casino

      April 4, 2011 /
      Denver Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter (R) gets past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel for a gain during the first half of their NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri December 6, 2009. REUTERS/Dave Kaup (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

      We knew that the lockout would affect some players in profound ways, but who knew it would result in one player robbing a casino? And a player who is just days away from appearing on the players’ behalf for Wednesday’s antirust lawsuit against the owners, no less?

      ESPN.com is reporting that free agent Mike Vrabel was arrested for felony theft at an Indiana casino on Monday. He was booked at 5:28AM and was released at 10:39AM after posting $600 bail. The rest of the details are sparse, but the 35-year-old Vrabel has already released a statement through his agent:

      “It was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and I take full responsibility for the miscommunication,” Vrabel told ProFootballTalk.com in a statement through his agent Neil Cornrich. “I feel comfortable that after talking with the appropriate parties, we will resolve this matter.”

      I was being facetious with my “robbing a casino” comment in the first paragraph, but it is a rather humorous situation. Not for Vrabel of course, but for fans that have had to put up with daily reports about how the lockout will never end and how there will never be another football season ever. EVER.

      Make no mistake: this is an embarrassing situation for Vrabel. He’s two days away from having to appear in court and he’s out getting arrested for felony theft. Even if it was just a huge misunderstanding, he was still arrested and he’s still one of the faces for the players during their ongoing battle against the owners. So in essence, it’s not just embarrassing for him but for all of the NFLPA as well.

      External Sports, NFL

      Building through the draft clearly the best way to win in the NFL

      April 4, 2011 /
      Super Bowl MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers celebrates alongside teammate Clay Matthews after winning Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on February 6, 2011. The Green Bay Packers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win. UPI/Brian Kersey

      If you’re one of the few people who still think the best way to build a team in the NFL is to sign a bunch of high-priced free agents during the offseason, check out CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco’s latest column and see if you change your mind.

      Maiocco examined the past five NFL drafts (2006-2010) and ranked every team based on how their selections panned out. At the top were none other than the Packers and Saints, who each won a Super Bowl the last two years.

      The Colts, who have made the playoffs every year over the past five seasons and won the 2006 Super Bowl, were third, while the Jets, who played in the last two AFC title games, were fourth. The defending NFC South champion Falcons were fifth, while the Ravens (who have made the playoffs the last three years) were sixth. The Vikings, Steelers, Patriots and Bucs rounded out the top 10.

      Every team in Maiocco’s top 10 has made the playoffs at least once in the last two years outside of Tampa Bay, which had a winning season in 2010 and should be a contender again in 2011 (if there’s a season, of course). In other words, the teams that have drafted well over the last five years have built a roster that can contend.

      On the flip side, the Cowboys (28), Cardinals (29), Bengals (30), Redskins (31) and Bills (32) rounded out the bottom five. Granted, Dallas and Cincinnati won their respective divisions in 2009 and went to the playoffs, but both teams collapsed in 2010 and proved that their success was short-lived. And while Arizona nearly won the Super Bowl three years ago, the Cards are feeling the effects of drafting Matt Leinart with the 10th overall pick in 2006.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

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