No stations cutting into programming when Bonds is up! Wow!?

Question

There is the real answer about how America feels about Bonds. It's going to be the simple "is every station cutting to the game when he comes up to bat". Bonds next HR ties the record - so the next two should mandate that every plate appearance has coverage on every station. That isn't the case.

It was the case with Roger Maris' chase, with McGwire, the space shuttle disasters, 9/11, even with Martinez sticking out 20 in one game - every LA station cut to the game when he got to 18. Really big or important events demand that.

That is the true test. I hate Bonds and was really shocked that his at bats after his 754th last night were NOT on other stations. Love him or hate him....that is the litmus test.

I'm in the Bay Area this weekend and checked. No stations were breaking in to cover it.

They normally do because when history is in the making we all want to be part of it. This pretty much confirms that most of us don't think this is history in the making. Personally I think it's as fraudulent as an Enron balance sheet.

Answer 1

You can love Barry or hate him, but you can't be indifferent when he passes Hammerin' Hank Aaron. He is about to do something pretty special and deserves respect for his lifetime achievement.

Think back to that magical season of 1998, when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing the single season record and absolutely lit up our imaginations. Americans had been out of love with baseball for several seasons prior to that one, but something changed then. We adored Mark and Sammy. We all unofficially knew that something performance enhancing must be involved, but we didn't care. It was pure glorious power we worshipped that summer.

Barry Bonds may not have the cuddly personality other ball players project, but he's powerful and he has endured the 20+ years it takes to rack up the numbers. I respect him for that.

Answer 2

This is far different from a news event, such as 9/11 as the shuttle.

There are all sorts of rules about such broadcast actions that are negotiated as part of contracts. It's not like NBC can jump in at any point and show Bonds' at-bats whenever it wants. Stations and networks paid billions of dollars for the rights to games, and it doesn't want its work hijacked. It has gotten much more strict in recent years.

My guess is that this situation was covered in the contract. ESPN probably has the rights to at-bats on certain days of the week, while Fox can jump in on Saturdays.

When he does hit #756, I would guess CNN, MSNBC, etc. will report it immediately. But I don't think your theory about Bonds holds up.

Answer 3

They figure most people get ESPN so they are just letting people turn into ESPN instead is my guess. I was watching when he hit 754, and ESPN PICKED UP Friday AND Saturday's GAMES BECAUSE Bonds IS THAT CLOSE. So yeah ESPN IS calling it history. Although I guess it is from being a kid when he played for my Pirates is why I still respect him. Just think, if had stayed with the Pirates he would have likely PASSED Hank Aaron by now, probably a couple years ago, because Three Rivers and now PNC park are easier parks to hit Homeruns in then San Fran's Ball Park.

Answer 4

What stations are you talking about? ESPN and EPSN NEWS usually break in, but other than local networks in San Francisco, I can't imagine any other stations giving up time for this.

Answer 5

it wasnt like bonds was going to hit 3 home runs yesterrday and break his record. their saving it until he has 755