In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes MLB is "in trouble," as there are "too many bad teams" and too many non-competitive games. Because of this, is it "any surprise that MLB attendance is taking a hit?" The product is not "keeping up with the times and it is not very good." Pace of play has "made the game largely unwatchable on television" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/9). Meanwhile, ESPN.com's Bradford Doolittle noted the 15 MLB games on July 4 averaged 34,685 fans, and seven of those games "drew 40,000 or better." Numbers "would have been even better" had the Marlins and A's not hosted games. Last year, teams on July 4 averaged 35,805 fans. MLB's attendance issues have become "less pronounced as the season has progressed." But it still "doesn't make up for the fans missing from the first two months" of the season, and attendance in June was "still down" (ESPN.com, 7/6).
BRONX TALES: In N.Y., Mike Mazzeo notes the '18 Home Run Derby "won't feature any Yankees." Yankees LF Giancarlo Stanton said, "I've done it plenty of times. I can take a year off. I can take two years off if I want." Yankees RF Aaron Judge added, "The main reason why I did it is for the fans. That's really the only reason why I did it is for the fans, to put on a good show. This year we've got something special going on, and I'm kind of sad I'm not doing it. But we've got something pretty special here and I just want to stay healthy going into the second half" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/9). Meanwhile, Nationals RF Bryce Harper last week indicated he would take part in the event, and MLB Network's Scott Braun said, "He’s a free agent after the year. Many players in his situation might say, ‘I’m not going to do the Home Run Derby. I really need to make sure I put my best foot forward in terms of the season.’ Like (Mike) Trout, for example. I don’t understand. Can’t you throw us a bone one time, Mike? Participate in the Home Run Derby. That bothers me” (“High Heat,” MLB Network, 7/6).
ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION: In Chicago, Paul Sullivan wrote instead of expanding to cities such as Las Vegas or Charlotte, MLB "should consider contracting the Marlins and Rays and going with 28 teams." But that will "never happen." A league of 28 teams could also see a reduction to "four divisions of seven teams while increasing the playoffs from 10 teams to 12." Realignment "would be necessary," but the AL and NL would "mostly remain the same" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/8).
