I heard Jack Brickhouse, who was the TV announcer for the Cubs and Sox, give the ball/strike count of 3 and 2 about 10 times in a row. Batter kept fouling off the pitch. But he never said anything else at all during that sequence. That was the day I relized baseball can be boring.
Watching Baseball is like watching two people play catch. I used to think golf was boring to watch on TV, but not when I started playing it. CFL football is the best!
I liked playing baseball, but Good Lord, I’d rather watch leaves fossilize than a baseball game on TV… only thing more excruciating is watching a golf tournament.
“The pitcher approaches the mound. He nods to the catcher. He scratches his crotch and spits. It appears to be more than two scratches, Howard…” “Yes, Chet. Anything more than two scratches might be considered masturbation. The umpire has been called out to determine if this is a legitimate scratch or not.” “Look, Howard. The second baseman had removed his hat, and spit. Does it look as if his hair might be thinning?” “Yes, Chet, clear signs of the beginnings of male pattern baldness. On the bright side, he might be able to get a sponsorship from Growgain if this continues.” “Oh, the opposing team has called a time out in order to call on the Rules Committee to contest the ruling of the Umpire about whether it was a legitimate scratch on the part of the pitcher. Your thoughts, Howard?” “Well, Chet, it appears that the left fielder has collapsed. He has either fallen asleep or died of old age. Somebody should probably go out and check for a pulse.”
I grew up on baseball and have great memories of playing little league and of watching the M&M Boys. Back then, a game lasted about two and a quarter hours, maybe two and a half.
Now, I no longer watch baseball on TV. I do go to the occasional triple A game, though, to see it in person. For me, it’s infinitely better than going to a major league park.
Baseball is the best: it’s a team sport without a clock, the defence has the ball, and, as Bill Cosby pointed out so long ago, it’s a game where the whole point is to make it back home!
With a baseball call and fertility symbols and fireworks, my mind turned to “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.” (Rest in peace, Jim Steinman.) With the pumpkin, maybe Arlo is experiencing old age issues.
No longer than any other sports season really, but when you start playing a summer game in the snow and end it playing in the snow, things have gotten out of hand.
Easter to Halloween. But you don’t have to watch/listen to every game. Plus, there’s plenty of inter inning spot to use the bathroom or get another beer and snack!
Baseball was a great sport to listen to on the radio. You could be doing other things and the good announcers would alert you to when something might occur.
TV ruined baseball. I remember when it first came on TV on major markets. Harry Caray called the Cardinal games back then. Radio was still the big market and he’d call the first and last 3 innings on radio. He’d do the middle three on the indy TV station, (only out of town games, of course).
It was tough for announcers to meld to the new medium. About 1960, I was watching a game Harry called in KPLR, Channel 11. Joe Cunningham played right field for the Cards and some Redleg hit a lazy fly ball to right. Cunningham drifted three steps back and easily caught the ball.
Here is radio announcer Harry Caray’s call: “There’s a fly ball deep to right! Cunningham’s going Back… Back… Back… HE makes the catch!” All the exciting games I listened to as a kid on the radio came crashing down around my ears. It was all just Cunningham drifting back and catching a can of corn. 8^ (
It COULD BE a long baseball season – or a short one – here in the West, the Colorado Rockies start the season playing in a snowstorm, and they end it playing in a snowstorm!
You all seem to be missing the idea that THESE holidays coincide with BASEBALL season. That, has grown with more and more playoffs, then you end up cancelling opening days because of snow.
Baseball is a pastime, intended for the fan to relax,drink cold beer, eat some franks and enjoy your local version of “The Friendly Confines” I just love that game…
Do away with the designated hitter; it was an interesting idea, but a failure in practice.
Eliminate artificial turf and indoor stadiums.
End intra-league play; again, a failed experiment. Re-align the leagues so that there are an even number of teams in each league, to make inter-league unnecessary.
Ban the armor some players wear on their arms that allow them to crowd the plate. If you want to get in there, you take your chances.
Allow pitchers to go inside, as long as they’re not throwing at anyone’s head or drilling guys deliberately with fast balls.
Charge the mound? Automatic ejection and suspension.
Start a fight? Automatic ejection and suspension.
Join a fight already in progress (either from the field or dugout)? Automatic ejection and suspension (notice a pattern?).
The season doesn’t begin before the 1st weekend of April. Shorten the season and have regularly scheduled single-admission double headers, especially on holiday weekends. Whatever it takes to ensure that the World Series is over before Halloween.
End inter-league play. – I agree. No need to re-align the leagues so that there are an even number of teams in each league. Who cares if the leagues have a different number of teams. They make up their own schedules and end up with one champion each. In my mind inter-leagues games are still just exhibition games.
wjones about 3 years ago
Certainly the announcer can do a better job then that. Or was that Jimmy announcing?
thomas_matkey about 3 years ago
I heard Jack Brickhouse, who was the TV announcer for the Cubs and Sox, give the ball/strike count of 3 and 2 about 10 times in a row. Batter kept fouling off the pitch. But he never said anything else at all during that sequence. That was the day I relized baseball can be boring.
Vivi <333 about 3 years ago
Very long season…of holidays!
nosirrom about 3 years ago
A possible World Series game seven is scheduled for November 3rd this year.
Somehow ‘Mr. November’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
mikeywilly about 3 years ago
Not as bad as 1 cricket match
Perplexed about 3 years ago
Watching Baseball is like watching two people play catch. I used to think golf was boring to watch on TV, but not when I started playing it. CFL football is the best!
trainnut1956 about 3 years ago
I liked playing baseball, but Good Lord, I’d rather watch leaves fossilize than a baseball game on TV… only thing more excruciating is watching a golf tournament.
trainnut1956 about 3 years ago
“The pitcher approaches the mound. He nods to the catcher. He scratches his crotch and spits. It appears to be more than two scratches, Howard…” “Yes, Chet. Anything more than two scratches might be considered masturbation. The umpire has been called out to determine if this is a legitimate scratch or not.” “Look, Howard. The second baseman had removed his hat, and spit. Does it look as if his hair might be thinning?” “Yes, Chet, clear signs of the beginnings of male pattern baldness. On the bright side, he might be able to get a sponsorship from Growgain if this continues.” “Oh, the opposing team has called a time out in order to call on the Rules Committee to contest the ruling of the Umpire about whether it was a legitimate scratch on the part of the pitcher. Your thoughts, Howard?” “Well, Chet, it appears that the left fielder has collapsed. He has either fallen asleep or died of old age. Somebody should probably go out and check for a pulse.”
Michael G. about 3 years ago
It’s a great day in the world of sport!
Dani Rice about 3 years ago
And then there’s football, where a one-hour game can take all day!
jarvisloop about 3 years ago
I grew up on baseball and have great memories of playing little league and of watching the M&M Boys. Back then, a game lasted about two and a quarter hours, maybe two and a half.
Now, I no longer watch baseball on TV. I do go to the occasional triple A game, though, to see it in person. For me, it’s infinitely better than going to a major league park.
Norris66 about 3 years ago
Basketball is right up there. Way too many time outs.
david_42 about 3 years ago
Once upon a time, the major sports seasons didn’t overlap.
DDrazen about 3 years ago
I’m reminded of Walt Kelly’s friend who said he never watched TV in the winter because all he’d see was a baseball field covered in snow.
j.l.farmer about 3 years ago
our minor league team played it’s first game last night since the end of the 2019 season because of the virus.
MuddyUSA Premium Member about 3 years ago
Arlo must be a fair weather fan?
Gandalf about 3 years ago
Baseball is the best: it’s a team sport without a clock, the defence has the ball, and, as Bill Cosby pointed out so long ago, it’s a game where the whole point is to make it back home!
Ermine Notyours about 3 years ago
With a baseball call and fertility symbols and fireworks, my mind turned to “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.” (Rest in peace, Jim Steinman.) With the pumpkin, maybe Arlo is experiencing old age issues.
alexius23 about 3 years ago
Well said…
Cozmik Cowboy about 3 years ago
But not the longest; as the old saying goes. “30 days hath September; all the rest have basketball”.
timbob2313 Premium Member about 3 years ago
MLB, long season, extremely loooong games
StephenHoyt about 3 years ago
Some how the NY Mets manage to avoid the Halloween part of it most years!
dv1093 about 3 years ago
As usual, I don’t get it.
360guy Premium Member about 3 years ago
No longer than any other sports season really, but when you start playing a summer game in the snow and end it playing in the snow, things have gotten out of hand.
Tyge Premium Member about 3 years ago
Easter to Halloween. But you don’t have to watch/listen to every game. Plus, there’s plenty of inter inning spot to use the bathroom or get another beer and snack!
Baseball was a great sport to listen to on the radio. You could be doing other things and the good announcers would alert you to when something might occur.
TV ruined baseball. I remember when it first came on TV on major markets. Harry Caray called the Cardinal games back then. Radio was still the big market and he’d call the first and last 3 innings on radio. He’d do the middle three on the indy TV station, (only out of town games, of course).
It was tough for announcers to meld to the new medium. About 1960, I was watching a game Harry called in KPLR, Channel 11. Joe Cunningham played right field for the Cards and some Redleg hit a lazy fly ball to right. Cunningham drifted three steps back and easily caught the ball.
Here is radio announcer Harry Caray’s call: “There’s a fly ball deep to right! Cunningham’s going Back… Back… Back… HE makes the catch!” All the exciting games I listened to as a kid on the radio came crashing down around my ears. It was all just Cunningham drifting back and catching a can of corn. 8^ (
Tyge Premium Member about 3 years ago
Great strip Jimmy. You’ve captured it pretty closely.
wellis1947 Premium Member about 3 years ago
It COULD BE a long baseball season – or a short one – here in the West, the Colorado Rockies start the season playing in a snowstorm, and they end it playing in a snowstorm!
gcottay about 3 years ago
And that’s all just one game.
mistercatworks about 3 years ago
In cricket, it could still be the same game. :)
christelisbetty about 3 years ago
You all seem to be missing the idea that THESE holidays coincide with BASEBALL season. That, has grown with more and more playoffs, then you end up cancelling opening days because of snow.
locake about 3 years ago
Good thing no one is forced to watch basebore.
felipenollaFFA about 3 years ago
Baseball is a pastime, intended for the fan to relax,drink cold beer, eat some franks and enjoy your local version of “The Friendly Confines” I just love that game…
gcarlson about 3 years ago
“Six months out of every year / I might as well be wearing crepe.” – chorus of baseball fans’ wives in Damn Yankees
sheashea about 3 years ago
Thank goodness for baseball! Just wish they’d get a new commissioner.
WilliamDoerfler about 3 years ago
And then, hockey and basketball.
Daeder about 3 years ago
Not longer than the average NBA or NHL season, is it?
Sneaker about 3 years ago
No wonder my dad used to watch Baseball!! That was his nap time.
Ukko wilko about 3 years ago
Silly season is longer… it’s year around.
T Smith about 3 years ago
How to fix baseball:
Do away with the designated hitter; it was an interesting idea, but a failure in practice.
Eliminate artificial turf and indoor stadiums.
End intra-league play; again, a failed experiment. Re-align the leagues so that there are an even number of teams in each league, to make inter-league unnecessary.
Ban the armor some players wear on their arms that allow them to crowd the plate. If you want to get in there, you take your chances.
Allow pitchers to go inside, as long as they’re not throwing at anyone’s head or drilling guys deliberately with fast balls.
Charge the mound? Automatic ejection and suspension.
Start a fight? Automatic ejection and suspension.
Join a fight already in progress (either from the field or dugout)? Automatic ejection and suspension (notice a pattern?).
The season doesn’t begin before the 1st weekend of April. Shorten the season and have regularly scheduled single-admission double headers, especially on holiday weekends. Whatever it takes to ensure that the World Series is over before Halloween.
tcviii Premium Member almost 3 years ago
End inter-league play. – I agree. No need to re-align the leagues so that there are an even number of teams in each league. Who cares if the leagues have a different number of teams. They make up their own schedules and end up with one champion each. In my mind inter-leagues games are still just exhibition games.