ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL (TALK)?

Michael Wilbon has an excellent column in today’s Washington Post about the beyond the pale popularity of the NFL.

He points out that it was in 1965 that a survey first showed that football had passed baseball as America’s favorite sport.

My problem with football being the most popular sport has always been that it meant that talking about games had become more popular than actually watching games.

If we had a real Major League Baseball team playing here and it was in a pennant race, believe it or not, we would actually be spending more time watching Pirates’ games than we have spent talking about Dennis Dixon’s potential.

It’s easy to understand why someone would rather watch an NFL game than a Major League Baseball game because it’s easy to see why someone would rather watch football than baseball.

That’s a matter of taste.

I just think it would be better for the mental health of the country if baseball had remained the national pastime. Instead of sitting in their cubicles pouring over their NFL fantasy rosters and looking forward to the games that are three days away, most sports fans would be looking over the box scores and getting ready to watch tonight’s game. ( I realize there’s an NFL game tonight. You know what I mean.)

Baseball was so much a part of the country’s fabric that, despite the fact that games were televised in the early ’50s, it wasn’t until 1971 that World Series games were played at night.

Imagine the NFL deciding its championship on a Tuesday afternoon.

It used to happen all the time in baseball.

So, yeah, the NFL is our most popular sport. But it’s at least a little bit disturbing that the country has become more interested in a sport that involves more talking than actual watching.

Or maybe it isn’t. There’s always the chance that I’m the one with a mental health issue.

Date: September 9, 2010

Categories: Uncategorized

Tags: NFL AMERICA'S PASTIME, NFL POPULARITY, NFL VS MLB

Comments RSS TrackBack 51 comments

Reply

VinceL

in September 9th, 2010 @ 11:51

Football only requires one day a week.It’s perfect for TV.Even if I still liked baseball I don’t have time to watch 3 plus hours of intentional walks and pitching changes 5 nights a week.I resent MLB for hanging around like a guest who won’t leave a party.They should finish by Labor Day because it interferes with football season.
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Bobzilla

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:05

There’s a difference between “pastime” and “most watched.” Baseball is still this Nation’s favorite pastime. More people, both adults and kids, spend their summers playing baseball than any other recreation. Not many spend their free time, ever, playing tackle football.
As for the World Series night games, I think afternoon WS games were actually more interesting. There was an allure about those games that can’t be matched by games nowadays that take until midnight to decide.
Racing home from school in the afternoons of early October to watch Don Drysdale and Mickey Mantle was exciting… even it was in black and white.

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:49

My 8 yr old grandson went to a birthday party at the end of July with 25 other kids. They painted circles on the driveway and played hockey.

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Bobzilla

in September 9th, 2010 @ 13:17

Pretty hard to play baseball on a driveway. Not all kids live in such cramped spaces. It’s a shame.

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 13:32

Not a factor. They had a huge back yard. There is no way–cramped spaces or not–that kids at a birthday party in July 1985 would have been playing hockey.
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John

in September 10th, 2010 @ 16:01

When I was a kid I played sandlot football every week. I don’t ever remember playing sandlot baseball (and this is coming from a kid who played college baseball).

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 19:03

I played pick-up (sandlot) baseball every DAY. Same with football.

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Dannyboy

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:36

Two words why football is better than baseball. Salary cap. Enough on that though.

I used to think like you about Fantasy Football. Then, i tried it a couple years ago and play in one. JUST ONE. I swear. It is more interesting when the Steelers are out of the playoffs. Then you can have a rooting interest for something besides whether the Steelers will pick 15th or 17th. To each his own.

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:48

I just enjoy watching the playoff games. I can always find a reason to root for or against a team or a player.

Reply

francis

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:39

steigs do you remember when mondaynite football was the only nite game in the nfl…that was special…if your team was playing on MNF it was an event…now they have thursdaynite games…sundaynite…saturdaynites…sometimes 2MNF games on the sameday…MNF lost its “coolness”

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 12:47

Saturation.

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Frank

in September 9th, 2010 @ 13:00

Wow, a Wilbon article where he doesn’t bring up race? Shocking. This now makes two articles that I have enjoyed from Wilbon over the last year. This is the other one…

http://views.washingtonpost.com/world-wide-wilbon/wilbon/2010/03/crosby_miles_ahead_of_ovechkin.html

I have no interest in fantasy football. If anything, I throw a few bucks down from time to time if I need that extra bit of entertainment value, but fantasy football doesn’t do it for me.
Reply

Frank

in September 9th, 2010 @ 13:44

Too true. MNF is just another game on the schedule.

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VinceL

in September 9th, 2010 @ 13:14

People would tune in just to see if their team was on Howard’s halftime highlights.But the NBC Saturday baseball Game of The Week with Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek was a big event too if the pirates were on.

Reply

colt

in September 9th, 2010 @ 14:43

It is difficult for people who live in this area to enter this conversation with any amount of objectivity. The fact of the matter is, except for a bunch of people who show up at PNC Park to watch the Bucs, baseball is not much of a factor here. The best we can do is live in the past. I would imagine that Pittsburgh sees more film of what they used to have in baseball than any other city. Even this whole thing with Maz is so over the top. I know, it is almost sacrilege to say so, but it is the truth. Football is king in Pittsburgh and the Pirates are irrelevant.

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 15:11

Guys my age and a few years younger know that the Steelers used to be something to do in between Pirates seasons.

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colt

in September 9th, 2010 @ 17:28

I am your age, and you are right. But, John, I recall the 1960 world series and how exciting it all was. But, the Pirates and the local media has ruined those fond memories. Over and over and over again I have had to see the highlights; now, I am so tired of it. And frankly, I am tired of hearing about Maz. I am not sure that anyone, including Ruth, Cobb, or Mays could live up to the image they have painted about him. Am I the only one?

Reply

Ken

in September 9th, 2010 @ 19:29

Not that Maz and that moment when he won the ’60 Series, which is the greatest moment in Pittsburgh sports history (sorry Franco) don’t deserve a statue, but it’s kind of pathetic the way the Pirates always need to mine their past to generate any sort of interest.

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 19:35

The Dave Giusti statue goes up next year on the 40th anniversary of 1971.

Reply

colt

in September 9th, 2010 @ 21:31

I think you got the point, John. I’d be interested in your response to my comments above directed toward Ken

Reply

colt

in September 9th, 2010 @ 21:29

Well, sorry to disagree, Ken. I am sure you are sincere, but do you really think these guys “deserve” statues? Really? Think about what we do for people who simply play a game. I doubt that Jonas Salk has received the accolades that Maz has received. Retire his number; name a street after him; vote him in the hall of fame; erect a statue. And that does not include so many other ways he has been honored through the years. When is enough enough? What’s next?! And don’t forget, a whole lot of people did not even think he belonged in the hall of fame to begin with. If Ted Williams were still alive, he would not be in. It’s not like he got in on the first or second ballot, you know. A lot of Pittsburgh people put on an almost embarrassing campaign, begging for him to be inducted. And it’s not just Maz. I love sports as much as the next guy, but why must we make such heroes out of these athletes? Can’t we “Just Watch the Game”/

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 02:25

It makes people feel good, I think it’s harmless. And if you don’t put the guy who is universally considered the best fielding second baseman in the HOF, you really should just close it down. I wouldn’t care if his lifetime batting average was .220. Thanks for the book reference. Can’t get too many of those.

Reply

colt

in September 10th, 2010 @ 06:38

OK, I got that HOF thing; I am not convinced, and many others were not either. But, the continual praise and over-the-top accolades are absurd. These guys simply play a game, that is my point. Ask the average, on the street Pittsburgher who Maz, Bradshaw, Sid, etc. are and they will not hesitate to tell you. Ask them to identify Jonas Salk, George Marshall, or George Washington Carver and they will run to the “google” site so fast they could qualify for the 2012 summer Olympics. I am not so sure that it is harmless, John. I think this worship of athletes is childish, at best. When I was a young boy, I would have given anything to have met my two favorite baseball players, Clemente and Mantle. I played the outfield, and loved to pretend I was one of them. But, I was a young boy. Today, if I see Maz, or any other athlete, my response is no different than if I see any other person. Why should it be? I enjoy watching, reading, and listening to professionals do well what they do. It matters not if I am reading John Steigerwald’s blog, admiring the craftsmanship of a good carpenter, or being served by a competent waitress. Why should I get “goose bumps running up my leg” because I meet a man who fields well? Statues, street names, retired numbers, honors – for what?

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 09:48

I agree that “worshiping” an athlete is not harmless. It’s a little sick. Commemorating the greatest moment in Pittsburgh sports history with a statue is not only harmless, it’s worthwhile.

Reply

Ken

in September 10th, 2010 @ 06:59

Hey Colt,

I wasn’t really talking about whether any sports figure deserves a statue. That’s another debate, and a good one. I’d probably agree with you.

In the context of Pittsburgh sports and the PNC Park area, Mazeroski –really not so much him personally but rather that one moment — deserves a statue as much as anything else. Sure, in the big picture, Salk deserves a status more, over at the Pitt med school.

I agree that Pittsburgh has raised Mazeroski to a level above the reality. I actually think that he belongs in the HOF because, almost without exception, he’s considered the best defensive 2nd baseman ever. And at the time he retired, there probably wasn’t one person who would disagree with that. Defense is a big and too often overlooked part of the game. Ted Williams might have been the greatest hitter ever and I certainly wouldn’t argue his HOF credentials, but he was pretty much a butcher with the glove.

It really didn’t matter to me whether or not Maz made the HOF. I hate the whole “first ballot” thing. You’re either a HOFer or not. I think there should be one vote, up or down. What did Maz do since 1972 that suddenly made him worthy?

My one strong opinion on whether he belonged in the HOF was when Ozzie Smith was whisked into it right away. Both were great defensive players, but Maz is probably ranked higher among all 2nd basemen than Smith is among all shortstops (Smith couldn’t touch Mark Belanger defensively). Offensively, their batting averages and most offensive stats are very similar, with Maz having more power and Smith having more speed. But Smith was a media darling. If Ozzie got in, then I thought Maz should be in.

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 09:46

I felt exactly the same way about Smith. Maz was a better hitter and every bit as good with the glove–maybe better.
Reply

Colt

in September 10th, 2010 @ 14:22

Hey Ken, good points and well said. The debate has turned into one about whether Maz belongs in the HOF. I started it, so it’s my fault. But, it really was not meant to be that. I was simply saying “How much more do we have to do for him (or any athlete) to demonstrate our appreciation for them?” Frankly, though they are very good at what they do for a living, what they do for a living is not that important. Certainly not as important as doctors, teachers, carpenters, garbage collectors, or just about any other career you can name. I am just so sick of how we put these guys on such a pedestal. The honors never end. I love to watch sports; I loved playing when I was younger. But, I want no part of this silliness that gives the impression that what they do for a living is more valuable than what the rest of us do. They are merely entertainers. I have to undergo serious surgery next week. I assure you, I would rather have the surgeon’s autograph than Bill Mazeroski’s. Now, he is about to do something for me that is actually important. John S. is my favorite sports write and commentator; what he does, he does very well. I Iook forward to reading his book. But, I am not going to bother him if I see him in a restaurant to get him to write his name on a piece paper for me.

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 14:45

I hear you and thanks for the kind words. Maz at least is a reluctant “hero”. As bad as some of the athletes can be, nothing is worse than people in show biz. Do you think they have enough award shows? When one of them wins best supporting actor, people everywhere are weeping and acting like the award is for finding a cure for cancer. The self-importance and self indulgence is nauseating. Good luck with your surgery. By the way, I will never complain about how much surgeons are paid. They can’t pay them enough as far as I’m concerned.

Reply

Ken

in September 9th, 2010 @ 14:47

Even though the Pirates do stink, I’d rather talk about them or listen to talk about them on local sports radio then to hear the endless discussions about Dennis Dixon or Ben Roethlisberger or Charlie Batch or, for that matter, what Jeff Reed’s cousin’s neighbor’s marriage counselor had for lunch that day.

I guess I just don’t get the whole modern fandom thing, where the team becomes your identify and apparently the reason you get out of bed every day.

At least the Pirates, such as they are, are actually playing games. All that drivel about a sport that isn’t even playing real games yet is just mind numbing.

Anyone else notice that most, not all, but most people are back on the Roethlisberger bandwagon? The ones who surprised me when they first actually seemed to want their team to field a team of players who were both good on the field and decent people off if it are back to saying what I originally expected of them. Roethlisberger could rape a nun at the 50 yard line, and all the nimrods would still spout the usual, “He’s our QB, he’s won (single-handedly, apparently) two Super Bowls.”

Reply

oksteelerfan

in September 9th, 2010 @ 16:20

That’s not true with all of us. I’ve said from the beginning I wouldn’t watch and I haven’t. I watched the first pre-season game without him, recorded the other games and fast forwarded through him being on the field. I’ll watch the first 4 games and then my Steelers season ends early this year and I guess I’ll have no Steelers for many years to come. I can’t stomach looking at him and my opinion hasn’t changed.
I love football, it has always been a staple in my house. But my life isn’t revolved around the Steelers, so I guess in this day and time that makes me less of a fan. lol However, you are correct it seems most have gotten over it real quick and most have convinced themselves he never did anything wrong and was just railroaded.

But, to the point of this article. I can understand why football is more popular, I would rather watch a football game than a baseball game unless it’s in person and I enjoy watching both about the same. Fantasy football though is imo the worst thing to ever happen to football. Way too many people now who can spout stats all day, but can’t tell you what an I-formation is.
So I enjoy watching football, but I don’t enjoy stats and I don’t enjoy listening to ESPN or NFL Network talk about football. Talking about football has gotten way out of control when it’s talked about year around.

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Ochotexto

in September 9th, 2010 @ 15:02

There’s still nothing better in sports than having your team in a pennant race. Every night every pitch counts. Due to the Pirates ineptitude when I say this to a younger kid he looks at me as if I were speaking Russian.
They need to start playing real baseball over there., the kids will jump on. Nutting sucked Maz dry for every dollar he could last weekend and last night trotted out the Clemente family for about the 100 th time. Let’s promote a good local hero., Neil Walker., he is an emerging story.

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Ken

in September 9th, 2010 @ 19:30

Neil really is a great story.
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Niblick

in September 10th, 2010 @ 08:00

Ocho you are exactly right here. I love baseball and the drama that comes with every pitch. To me NFL football has become boring. I can’t sit and watch a game. Not even the Steelers. Every other play leads to a commercial. The teams all look the same to me. It’s just not exciting. My memories of baseball playoffs will last a lifetime. They do need to start doing something with the Pirates. It’s been way too long.

Reply

saneman

in September 9th, 2010 @ 15:48

Best endorsement of NFL : You can sit down and watch most reasonably competitive games even if it doesnt involve your favorite team. With baseball, it has to be a really compelling matchup or something historic in progress (like a no hitter, or a big comeback by another team in the 9th inning or you just watch an extra innings game to see how far it can go). If you want WS ratings to sink, just have a matchup like DBacks vs DevilRays.
Reply

Scootermojo

in September 9th, 2010 @ 16:17

being the most popular doesn’t mean it’s the best. rap and country music are pretty popular but it’s no secret it takes absolutely no talent to make a rap “song” which means stealing or buying someone else’s song and talking over it…out of key, nonetheless…and modern country is nothing more than bad rock ‘n roll with a fiddle and steel guitar…johnny cash is real country. I put football in the same category. besides, being the most popular means that the vast majority of “fans” are only “into it” simply because it’s the “cool” thing and is in no way indicative of being a “better” sport despite what squeeler nation sheep state.

the sheep can have football all they want…i’ll take hockey and baseball any day over that rubbish. 2 sports that takes gobs more talent and intelligence and individual strategy. the infants and easily led can hop on the bandwagon of football all they want for i care….i have no use for them.
Reply

Naper

in September 9th, 2010 @ 16:47

Last week, Phil Rogers, who covers baseball for the Chicago Tribune answered the following Daily Question in the print edition.

What city has the best fans in baseball? His answer: “Pittsburgh!” His reasoning was that the 20,000 plus average for the worst team by far was impressive considering that it was better than, I believe, four other cities. Just thought you all would like to know.

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JohnSteigerwald

in September 9th, 2010 @ 19:37

Most gullible fans, maybe, This is a great baseball town but the people showing up now can’t possibly be real Pirates fans. Their PNC customers.

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Naper

in September 9th, 2010 @ 16:52

Hey Wilbon, “Dallas, like Notre Dame, continually overrated???” It’s been quite awhile since Notre Dame has been rated anywhere much less overrated. However, tune in Saturday.

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Mike

in September 9th, 2010 @ 20:23

How quickly yinz all forget the “Charlie Weis Era” and how he was going to dominate college football. How’d that work out?

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Mike

in September 9th, 2010 @ 20:44

Oh and I can’t sorry. Apparently NBC has been discontinued on Basic Cable. Apparently not enough people were watching.

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Naper

in September 9th, 2010 @ 21:50

He! He! He!

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Naper

in September 10th, 2010 @ 10:19

I love exposing you anti-ND guys. It’s more fun than exposing liberals.

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Mike

in September 10th, 2010 @ 20:47

What do you mean by “exposing”? I wear my anti Notre Dame bias on my sleeve. The program has been all hype since Lou Holtz left.

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Naper

in September 13th, 2010 @ 00:43

Hype?? Don’t get that.

Holtz didn’t leave. He was pushed out the door by a soft administration. That had to be fixed before any return to football prominence. The Board of Trustees took over. Charlie Weis just turned out to be a mistake after such beginning promise. That has been fixed. Sit back and watch if you can’t enjoy.

The Atkinson twins (Oakland Raiders) are coming. There will be more. It’s tough when you are recruiting brawn and BRAINS.

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Mike

in September 13th, 2010 @ 10:19

I enjoyed the game Saturday versus Michigan. Epic Fail on the part of the QB tossing the hail mary out of the back of the endzone.

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Naper

in September 13th, 2010 @ 12:30

That was hardly a “hail mary” pass. It was just a bad pass. See any of those yesterday in the Steeler game?

Injuries are part of the game. If Crist doesn’t exit the first half after the first drive, the game is over by half time, favor ND. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

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Ochotexto

in September 10th, 2010 @ 13:15

JS where you miss the point is some of us old school Pgh sports fans still will take bad baseball over good hockey. I’d rather drink a pis warm Heineken than an ice cold rot gut light beer.
Nape.,I’m on board you with this week., how can anyone root for the despicable, shyster, carpetbagging RichRod of Michigan.? 13-9 !!

Reply

JohnSteigerwald

in September 10th, 2010 @ 14:00

I’m not missing the point. Just not understanding it.
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Mike

in September 10th, 2010 @ 20:49

Heineken sucks as a beer. Try a good GERMAN beer, not a beer from Holland pretending its German.

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Ochotexto

in September 11th, 2010 @ 21:58

Agree Mike., Heineken was just the first brand i thought of the room would recognize. If you haven’t yet try the Hofbrauhaus Lager., they’re brewing it right over at the South Side. , great stuff. As one of my heros Ben Franklin said, ” beer is proof God loves us”. You sound like the Joe Butler of beer scouts.

Reply

Mike

in September 12th, 2010 @ 20:00

Already been there Ocho. A taste in micro-brews was imprinted onto me by my father. Although both me and him are more of a fan of the Dunkel. I do subscribe to the theory, the older i get the wiser my dad becomes. n

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