The Beginning of the End

No, not for the Yankees.  That came this off-season, with "The Commitment to Mediocrity."

I'm talking today's "Mexico Series" ESPN game between the Cards and the Reds.

There, right there on the side of the Cardinals' helmets, was printed the name of one of the Series sponsors:  "Ford."

This is so typically MLB, of course, trying out the idea of uni ads in a game played in Monterrey.

But you watch, this is just the camel's nose under the tent.  Soon, we will have to watching a great, steaming pile of camel dung with every game.

Five years from now, sponsor names will be as ubiquitous on MLB uniforms as they now are on European soccer unis.  Ten years from now, the players will look like racing car drivers.  And look for more ads to pop up on the bases, in the outfield, on gloves.

Combine that with the in-game TV ads, the tedious state of play, and the dreary length of most games and you have to start wondering who will watch this game.

Well, if the Yankees had to pick an era to tank, maybe it's just as well that it's now.  It will spare us having to watch all this crap—never mind the mound moved back, starting extra-innings with a runner on second, "openers," etc., etc.....