Overrated - Popularity

I'm pretty sure we are all in agreement that democracy is the best form of government around. Don't get me wrong, you can get a lot more done with a dictatorship but those always wind up with the wrong guy calling the shots (i.e. someone besides me). But as far as governing goes, its far from perfect but its the best one out there, far superior to what the commies have going or those has-beens the British with their monarchy to fall back on. But that doesn't mean it has to translate into the sports world.

Last night on PTI (please note, this was originally written last Friday) they were discussing the merits of the NLCS and the conclusion was essentially that they might as well not even play the series because it wasn't going to get high viewership. It can't possibly be an interesting series because there aren't enough name players involved. This line of thought is pure bullshit. What, small market teams can't play good games? And if people on the east coast haven't heard of west coast players they can't be good?

The same day, cnnsi.com (which is really falling apart) ran an article to the effect of "Will anyone care if USF plays Hawaii for the title?". I mean what the fuck? I'm pretty sure the players who worked their asses off to have an undefeated season will care. I guarantee the students at those schools will care. The alums who donate their hard earned money will care. And real football fans who want to see an actual championship and not a popularity contest will care. Who exactly is against two undefeated teams playing for the championship? If only programs that have long storied traditions belong in the title hunt then set up a division for those teams only. The only people dreading this sort of matchup are tv execs and half assed non-fans, two groups whose opinions mean nothing to me.

I've played in some memorable games in my day. In my top five include one very well attended football game (opening day senior year at Comsewogue where we must have been at least three touchdown dogs and won 8-6, 9 tackles and a crucial onsides kick recovery by yours truly), one JV basketball game against Southampton that had no more than 50 people in the gym until the varsity crowd started showing up (22 points on 4 three pointers by yours truly) and one pickup basketball game in George Duffy's driveway during a monsoon where the only people watching were his family (including his piece of ass sister) who occasionally looked out the window wondering what was wrong with us. Point is, great games aren't determined to be great by the number of people watching. They are great because of what happens on the field.

How many boring super bowls have been watched by billions? How many first round games have been better than the NCAA title game? For every VY-Leinart game there is a UF-OSU snoozefest. I understand that ESPN is a business and wants ratings. But they should keep that to themselves and stop trying to get fans to think like that.