YES Network "has seen a 39 percent drop in viewership" this season for Yankees games with stars like 3B Alex Rodriguez, SS Derek Jeter, 1B Mark Teixeira and CF Curtis Granderson missing all or most of the year, according to Justin Terranova of the N.Y. POST. Games are averaging a 2.5 local rating after earning a 4.1 last year. This comes despite the Yankees remaining "competitive in the AL East and wild-card races." However, Jeter is expected back in the lineup "this weekend and Granderson may not be far behind." It is possible a "pennant race and the return of some big names could bolster the numbers late in the season." Meanwhile, the Mets are having a "similar, though less severe, decline on SNY." Ratings are down 30% "from this time last year," going from 2.6 to 1.8. The "positive is the uptick that has occurred" when Ps Matt Harvey (1.96 rating) and Zack Wheeler (2.34 rating) start (N.Y. POST, 7/26).
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes Rodriguez has been “getting pounded in the court of public opinion,” which is why he called into WFAN-AM on Thursday to speak with Mike Francesa. Francesa, whose show is simulcast by the YES Network, treated Rodriguez “kindly for six minutes.” Rodriguez’ orthopedist Dr. Michael Gross appeared on the show Wednesday, and Francesa’s “mugging of the Yankees, which continued on Thursday, was an obvious attempt to enlist his audience in A-Rod’s Army while trying to change the minds of people who despise the Yankees’ estranged third baseman.” Francesa was “attempting to make Rodriguez look good by casting him as the persecuted one taking on the monolithic Yankees" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/26).
