November Baseball's a Farce

Isn’t the Fall Classic supposed to happen in the fall? Not this year. The World Series begins tomorrow night and, in case Bud Selig hasn’t noticed, it’s “never seemed more irrelevant,” writes Jay Mariotti. It’s simply too late in the year for baseball. “I can hear my body clock ticking, knowing Game 3 will be played on Halloween night.” Game 7, if it comes to that, will be in a probably frigid New York on November 5.

Fox and TBS have demanded all kinds of unnecessary off days to ensure the games are played in primo television spots, and the feckless Selig has acquiesced. That’s not only killed any mounting drama, it’s increased the likelihood of weather ruining things. Remember last year’s rain-soaked farce? Well showers are in the forecast for games one and two this year. At this point, writes Mariotti at Fanhouse, “there’s nothing an inept commissioner can do but hope he isn’t embarrassed again.” (More Jay Mariotti stories.)