MLB, which at this point of the season "would normally
cede the sports world's limelight" to the NFL, now may even
"threaten 'Ally McBeal,'" according to USA TODAY's Michael
Hiestand. Fox Sports Exec Producer Ed Goren said that once
either Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa hits his 59th HR, "we go
on standby alert. Our desire would be that once somebody
reaches No. 60, we'd do the next game, and then stick with
(showing games) for more than one day. ... I've got to
believe America would want to see 62." Goren said that Fox
can't guarantee coverage of all games due to "sensitivities"
in dropping shows such as "Ally McBeal," and questions about
how to "quickly sell" MLB ad time, while possibly losing
"prime-time spots already sold" (USA TODAY, 8/31).
HARD DRIVE DERBY: In N.Y., Mary Huhn reports that the
HR race "has led to Ruthian traffic numbers" on the Web.
Traffic to CBS SportsLine's MLB area has increased over 100%
in the last month, while traffic to Sosa's profile is up
more than 700%, and traffic to McGwire's area is up 122%.
SportsLine also drew its "highest traffic over any non-
playoff gave ever," during a recent "Baseball Live" day game
between the Cardinals and Cubs. CNN/SI.com's "Target 61"
area, launched July 8, now draws up to 3% of CNN/SI's total
traffic. ESPN Internet Senior VP/Programming & Product
Development Geoff Reiss: "Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa is our
Bill and Monica story. It has new wrinkles every day.
Fortunately it's G-rated" (N.Y. POST, 8/30).
BUSCH LEAGUE: Shortly after McGwire was ejected for
arguing balls and strikes during the Fox "Game of the Week"
on Saturday, Fox studio anchor Chip Caray reported that fans
in Busch Stadium were "understandably incensed." In N.Y.,
Phil Mushnick writes, "We thought -- and hoped -- Caray
would follow 'understandably incensed' with a 'but,' then
something along the lines of, 'such conduct is
inexcusable.'" Mushnick: "But there was no 'but' ...
leaving the distinct impression that the people hurling
garbage had just cause" (N.Y. POST, 8/31). In Houston,
David Barron writes that Fox announcers Josh Lewin and
George Brett "steadfastly" took up McGwire's case. Lewin,
from the broadcast: "More questionable than calling strike
three was [home plate Umpire] Sam Holbrook throwing him out
of the game" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/31).
