Red Sox Ratings Are Down, MLB Pace Of Play

In a recent Boston Globe story it was reported that ratings for Red Sox games have fallen 20% and the question is why?
Well for one you don’t have David Ortiz on the team anymore, they’re really isn’t a voice in the clubhouse, and you have Dave O’Brien doing play by play that can’t pronouce his s’s.
Last season when Ortiz had his farewell tour fans were tuned in because they wanted a last glimpse of the great Ortiz. Yes you have the occasional pink hat fans that only go for the food and the Sweet Caroline, but their are some die hard fans that still watch and follow. Maybe not as close because Ortiz is gone.
I heard this on the radio yesterday who in the clubhouse is the voice for the Red Sox? In my opinion nobody Benintendi is quiet, Mookie Betts, is quiet pretty much that whole team. It’s a bunch of young talented guys that the occasional fan may look at the standings and go “well they are in first so I’ll pay attention.”
The pace of play is a problem not just with the Red Sox but with all of Major League Baseball. The four hour games are a killer and the Red Sox have had a lot of them this season. Who has 4:00 hours to sit and watch a game when half the time the batter is fixing his gloves and helmet, and the pitcher is walking around the mound.
The pitch clock is such a great idea to speed the game up. They should bring it up to the Major League level. Games should be 2:30 max 3:00 hours. A four hour baseball game in the middle of May out of 162 is ridiculous. Baseball would be better off if they found a way to speed it up which would make the fans tuned in, and the ratings won’t go down.
Lastly NESN letting go Don Orsillo was the most stupidest thing the network has done. Getting Dave O’Brien to be his replacement has been a ratings downfall especially when he whistles every time he says a name that ends with s. If the Red Sox can continue this streak of being in first after the All Star Break I’m sure ratings will improve.