Big markets like DC, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta all saw increases from the '17 gameGETTY IMAGES
Fox last night drew a 6.5 overnight rating for the MLB All-Star Game, which saw the AL win 8-6 in 10 innings. That figure is flat compared to last year, which remains the second-lowest All-Star Game figure on record. The game two years ago had a record-low 6.4 overnight. As recently as three years ago, the All-Star Game drew a 7.8 overnight. Fox also is likely to finish second in primetime last night, as NBC had two hours of "America's Got Talent." All-Star Game host market DC drew a 9.3 local rating, up 21% from last season. Other big markets seeing upticks were L.A. (+16%), Chicago (+60%), Philadelphia (+32%) and Atlanta (+23%) (Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor).
TALKING BASEBALL: Twitter commentators were divided over having players mic'd up and talking to Fox announcers Joe Buck and John Smoltz during the game. FS1's Colin Cowherd: "The single most amazing innovation in broadcasting -- Joe Buck can have a conversation w a player during the game." L.A.-based KLAC-AM's Tim Cates: "Love the different players being mic’ed up and talking during the game to Joe Buck and John Smoltz. Another thing @mlb is doing right this #AllStarGame." ESPN Cleveland's Jordan Zirm: "Mike Trout roasting Joe Buck for asking bad questions the all-star game is lit." L.A.-based KTTV Fox' Liz Habib: "I don’t care how hard Joe Buck tries.... Mike Trout mic’d in the OF talking live during the game won’t suddenly make him grow a big personality!" Chicago Sun-Times' Michael O'Brien: "Another year of Joe Buck is bad enough, but now it is Buck making awkward small talk with actual players on the field. We’ve never needed a 'no commentary, sounds of the game' option more than we do right now." TV writer John Tharp: "Mic'd Francisco Lindor tells Joe Buck 'I'm always talking, sometimes third baseman ignores me so I'm talkin to myself.' John Smoltz thinks 'I know what you mean.'" National Review contributor Aaron Goldstein: "Glad Buck & Smoltz are actually talking about the guy at the plate instead of talking to an outfielder. In this case, Nick Markakis." Buck also handled the pregame player intros, and former Wrigley Field PA announcer Wayne Messmer tweeted, "Does FOX really think people are demanding to hear Joe Buck do player intros at the ASG, and have to hear him for 9 innings? Having had the privilege to be the PA Anncr. at the 1983 and 1990 ASGs, in Chgo, I felt bad for the PA Anncr. in DC who should have opportunity to do it."
