Pete Rose is part of one of the most memorable highlights in MLB All-Star Game history when he bowled over Ray Fosse in '70, but do not expect to see that during Fox' broadcast of tonight's game. Fox' Tim McCarver said the net is not allowed to "show Pete Rose footage on the air." Patrick: "Wait a minute, you can't show video?" McCarver: "We can't show video. Major League Baseball does not like us showing video of Pete Rose on our air. And from my understanding, ESPN too” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 7/15). In L.A., Joe Flint reported the league had "no official comment on McCarver's remarks." A source said, "There isn't a blanket restriction" (LATIMES.com, 7/15). In Pennsylvania, Keith Groller writes that policy is "only going to get more people on the banned player's side and against MLB." Groller: "Love or loathe him for violating the game's No. 1 rule, Rose's collision with Ray Fosse is the No. 1 all-star moment and he was one of the players who made the All-Star Games in that era of must-see TV" (Allentown MORNING CALL, 7/16). Of note, ESPN yesterday unveiled a list of its top 10 All-Star Game moments that included the Rose-Fosse collision (THE DAILY).
EXPECT NOTHING ON BIOGENESIS: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes his "fantasy" would be for MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to "go into Fox’s All-Star broadcast booth" tonight and "deliver the word to friend and foe alike" on the investigation into the Biogenesis clinic. That would give Selig the "chance to spread the gospel to millions of eyeballs." While Selig in actuality "ain't going anywhere near that booth," it is fair to ask whether Fox' McCarver and Joe Buck will "say even a word about" Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and Biogenesis during the All-Star telecast. Unless there is "breaking news on the investigation prior to, or during, the game, don’t expect the voices to go near the subject." Fox Sports VP/Communications Dan Bell said, “We’re not taking this event and going on a soapbox. To talk about what’s already been written, or broadcast, and add more speculation to it, is not appropriate. The All-Star Game is not the proper venue for that discussion" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/16).
MUST-SEE TV? In Illinois, Mike Imrem writes under the header, "All-Star Game Is Far From Must-See TV These Days." Imrem: "So what do you think, the All-Star Game or a night of 'NCIS,' 'Rizzoli and Isles' and 'Person of Interest'? For me, I'm still trying to make up my mind because the Midsummer Classic has been reduced to an All-Star Game-time decision instead of appointment television" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 7/16). In Akron, George Thomas writes "long, drawn-out TV games don’t seem to hold TV audiences’ interest." The "chasm between the haves and the have-nots remains great despite the contention of smaller-market teams such as" the Indians and Pirates. Those "realities are reflected in TV ratings" for the ASG. Thomas: "From this corner there might be trouble on the horizon for Major League Baseball" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 7/16).
FINAL FAREWELL: In Memphis, Kyle Veazey notes this is McCarver's last ASG, and it is the "highest-profile assignment yet of something of a farewell tour." Fox asked McCarver to "compile his favorite All-Star Game memories for a segment to air later" in the broadcast. McCarver: "It's very difficult to squeeze almost 60 years into about two minutes" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 7/16).
