MLB TV ratings were down for the game as a whole, but the Rays this year were one of the winners.
Our season ratings on FSN Florida went up to 3.47, from 1.74 last year. This is probably part of the reason why FSN Florida picked up virtually our entire schedule for the next eight years. They will air 155 games per year through 2016.
Will that be the impetus for Bright House in Orlando finally picking up FSN Florida? Don’t bet on it.
Rocco Baldelli and Eric Hinske have both filed for free agency.
Here’s something that will blow your minds: Dewayne Staats, Joe Magrane, Todd Kalas and Dave Wills, along with former Rays broadcasters Paul Olden and Charlie Slows, have all been nominated for the Ford Frick Award, which is essentially the baseball broadcaster’s path into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I myself thought it was time for Staats to go in.
(And what’s up with Wills being up and not Andy Freed? What is he, chopped liver?)
Couldn’t happen to better people. They are some of the best broadcasters in the league and they haven’t gotten recognized until now due to the Rays lack of success.
I hope the Rays will sign Rocco. He would be a great asset for next year.