Why aren't the Japanese-United States All-Star games broadcast on television?
Reading
this article about Tadahito Iguchi and Kenji Johjima reuniting on the American team made me wonder -- if the World Baseball Classic was an unqualified success in the eyes of Major League Baseball, there's really no excuse why they're not broadcasting these games
somewhere.
Who wouldn't want to see what is for the most part an All-Star team going against some of Japan's best in front of their fans? It's not like ESPN or ESPN2 are starved for quality live/tape delay programming.
For instance, on ESPN2 today, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. they're showing two repeats from the World Series of Poker and, I sh-t you not, the
DOMINOES FEDERATION U.S. OPEN. in Kissimmee, Fla. Who the hell watches dominoes on television? If a person actually enjoys watching other people play dominoes, they should be doing it in an old folks' home, where they'd actually be putting it to good use.
Then again, if it's anything like the
World Series of Dice, maybe I'd watch.
Would you buy a brick for $175? From what it sounds like, that won't even buy you a big brick. From the
press release:
CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox fans can now inscribe their names and favorite memories at U.S. Cellular Field as part of a new diamond-shaped brick plaza and commemorative monument planned as the focal point of the ballpark’s main entrance.
At the very heart of the new plaza -- scheduled to be installed prior to Opening Day 2008 -- will be a dramatic bronze and granite sculpture celebrating the franchise’s 2005 World Series Championship[...]
[...]Bricks go on sale to the general public at 9:00 a.m. CT on Thursday, Nov. 9. Prices for the personalized bricks start as low as $175, with a variety of size and style options available at different costs. Quantities are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the Legacy Brick Program or to order a brick, please call 866-WSOX-BRK or visit whitesox.com.
With each brick purchased, fans will receive a complimentary replica brick that makes an ideal keepsake for any home or office.
Okay, it's a brick and a fake brick for $175. That's much better.
If it's anything like the other statues around U.S. Cellular Field, I'm sure it'll look fantastic.
On the other hand, when I'm actually buying tickets and attending White Sox games in 2008, I'm sure one of my fondest memories of the championship season will be 2005 prices. I'm sure that'd touch me more than a "dramatic bronze and granite sculpture."