This Week in Baseball
-Taylor Ballinger, Matt Korte, Jeff Gangloff
Good morning, Nation. We’re back with our weekly installment of “This Week in Baseballâ€Â, where Taylor, Matt, and Jeff will highlight interesting and/or important stories happening throughout baseball. As always, hope you enjoy – and let us know what you’ve been reading by posting in the comment section below.
Breaking Down the Top Destinations for MLB Expansion by Anthony Witrado via Bleacher Report
For the past several years, sports fans have circulated rumors of the NBA and NHL looking to expand with possibly one or two teams added to their respective leagues…likewise, the NFL has toyed with the idea of relocating one or two teams to LA and possibly even Toronto or England. In that same period of time, there has been little chatter about possible expansion for MLB, until now; meetings held during the All-Star break produced some interesting sound bites from the Commissioner regarding possible expansion in MLB.  Currently, with unbalanced leagues, an additional team could help both balance out the number of teams in the AL and NL, but would also allow for the possible realignment of Divisions; a task that many in baseball have been calling for for years.  This article outlines the possibility and timeline of expansion, as well as a few cities that could be targets, MLB in Mexico anyone?  (Korte)
Closing Time: Who’s got the best entrance music in Baseball? by Jesse Spector via Sporting News
As long as there have been closers in MLB, there have been closer entrance songs…and finally, we have a list ranking closers by their respective entrances.  It’s safe to say that no one in the game today can enter like Trevor Hoffman to Hells Bells or Mariano Rivera to Enter Sandman…but the entrance song game of today’s closers is still strong.  Our very own Cuban Missile, Aroldis Chapman checks in at number six, but it’s tough to argue with some of the tunes the top 5 are rocking out too.  Enjoy the embedded videos for all closers (Korte).
Prime Time TV Ratings For All 29 U.S. MLB Teams Show Baseball Ruling Summer Programming by Maury Brown via Forbes
Contrary to popular belief and to what the media may have you thinking, baseball is in a good place. MLB TV ratings are proof of that. Not only are many teams improving upon their 2014 ratings, but many of them are holding down the number one spot on both network and cable television. Our Redlegs? Let’s just say it’s pretty clear that a winning record equates to higher TV ratings. (Gangloff)
8 ways Cincinnati rocked All-Star Game by Enquirer Editorial Board via Cincinnati Enquirer
I think we can all agree that the All-Star Game was an overwhelming success for not only baseball but for the entire city of Cincinnati. We all have our favorite moments of the weekend, but the enquirer lists 8 ways in which Cincinnati “rocked†the All-Star Game. (Gangloff)
Rose dominates headlines at All-Star Game, though not much has changed by Albert Chen via SI.com
Pete Rose was all over Fox’s coverage of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, and rightfully so. His star continues to shine brightly in the Queen City, with Reds fans (including Barry Larkin in a video linked in this story) defending Charlie Hustle with every opportunity they get. Of course, the chances of Rose’s reinstatement remain slim. No sense in going through all the reasons why he should be considered for reinstatement – as Reds fans we’ve heard and/or said them all. It was great to see him celebrated at the ASG festivities, though. (Ballinger)
Will these postseason droughts end? by Will Leitch, via Sports on Earth
It’s that time of year again. The time when the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. As we gaze out upon the second half of the season, here’s a list of teams vying to end lengthy postseason droughts, and their chances to reach the postseason. My vote: the Toronto Blue Jays. (Ballinger)