Without looking, name the starting lineup of the All Star team.

I got about half of them, and that was giving myself the leeway of not knowing the exact name of the KC shortstop and the knowledge that Josh Donaldson had been elected as the AL third baseman ... with the most All Star votes ever (?):

"Part of the debate over whether Rodriguez deserves to be a member of the American League All-Star team Tuesday night in Cincinnati includes a perception he can draw eyeballs to the Foxies’ party. Many mouths have highlighted this angle, including Michael Kay, the play-by-play voice of the Bombers on Al Yankzeera."

Not really part of the debate, it's just an observation.

The ratings would undoubtedly go up with ARod because at least there's a chance that the viewing audience has heard of him.

Harper, Trout, ummm ... Cabrera is hurt ... ummm ... Prince Fielder deserves it, Buster Posey ... that's about all I can name with certainty.

Paul Goldschmidt is quite good, but, get serious. Who's tuning in to watch him?


"Kay, and the many others who share his opinion, never quantify it. If they did, they couldn’t back up their words. Through July 7, Yankees TV ratings on YES were averaging a 2.55 rating, down a hefty 15% from the same point in the 2014 season, according to The Nielsen Co. And average total viewership on YES’ Yankees cablecasts is 237,000, down 17% from the same point in 2014."

Not relevant, and it's embarrassing to suggest that it is relevant.

Hey, Bob Raismann, quick question: Have you ever heard of this guy who used to play shortstop for the Yankees and wore #2? He was very popular. What was his name, again?


"So, if A-Rod can’t put the Yankees ahead in the ratings department on YES, where the majority of peepers have forgot about his PED past and mostly have forgiven him (as long as he continues being productive) for past 'sins,' there is no shot — absolutely none — that extraneous eyeballs from sea to shining sea are going to go out of their way to tune into Fox’s All-Star telecast to see A-Rod. Why waste time watching a guy they still despise?"

Holy crap.

I'm shocked.

They would watch the All Star Game precisely for that reason. 

Just like you and your colleagues at the Daily News are obsessed with the guy. Generally speaking, people will pay a lot more attention to people whom they despise ... and the Daily News writers are a prime example of this.


"Understand? Rodriguez would have zero impact on All-Star TV ratings. And even if A-Rod were on the team, viewers would see him only during the opening introductions and likely in a pinch-hitting role. Maybe, MAYBE, ESPN would enjoy a ratings boost from A-Rod if he were added to the Home Run Derby. In that freak show, an oddity of A-Rod’s proportion could be a ratings difference maker."

God damn, you are dumb.


"That said, it’s surprising that A-Rod is not driving ratings higher on Yankees telecasts. Think about it: The numbers were better at this point last season WITHOUT him. YES voices are not shilling, or bringing false hype to the table, when they describe every Rodriguez at-bat as 'must-see TV,' especially when he is closing in on milestones, albeit ones his employers publicly will not recognize.
Rodriguez brings controversy, legitimate star power and a possible comeback of the year storyline to a team with little marquee value to sell, unless you believe Chase Headley, Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira or Didi Gregorius are all major attractions. Still, the sum of the parts has kept the Yankees at or near the top of the AL East, but the combination of winning and A-Rod has the ratings trending downward from last season.

Stunning."

No mention of the absence of Jeter.

I mean, this is your job. This is what you do. This is all you do.

You are discussing Yankee TV ratings and scratching your head in disbelief that ratings are down this year.

The level of incompetence is truly staggering.

The arrogant attitude just makes is slightly more embarrassing and indigestible, but mostly it's just laughable incompetence.

It's like going to Subway to get a sandwich and Bob Raismann is working behind the counter and he forgets to put the mustard on your sandwich ... and he forgets the lettuce and tomatoes ... and he forgets the meat ... and he forgets the bread.