With the first pitch of the World Series only minutes away, I ran across the story about Dallas Mavericks finals MVP, Dirk Nowitzki’s bid to throw out a first pitch at one of the games in Arlington Texas was denied by Bud Selig. Apparently he’s an avid Rangers fan that goes to the games, and has thrown out a first pitch before. The decision apparently wasn’t because of the lockout or anything like that, but more so because he’s not a recognizable enough of a figure. I’m sure the country singer they decide to put in there every sports fan will know…
Well, let’s start with the girlfriend test. Could my girlfriend (who doesn’t know much about sports) tell you who he is? Yes, she could pick him out of a group of awkward looking tall white guys. Maybe there’s more recognizable players in the NBA you could put out there, but where are most of the people that will be watching one of the lowest rated WS in recent history? People in Texas, where Dirk is a god. To top it off saying Dirk doesn’t have national appeal is very shortsighted. Didn’t he just give every white boy with hoop dreams hope after winning the finals MVP during the highest (TV) rated finals ever? It’s funny how the NBA finals will easily outproduce the MLB World Series in the ratings. Maybe that’s how much Selig hates Cuban. He doesn’t even want his employees around baseball even if they aren’t a threat to buy a team.
Even if Dirk did throw out the first pitch, how many times do we even see the unofficial “first pitch” televised? The only times I actually see that celebrity “first pitch” is on youtube clips when the person throws the ball 20 feet short of the plate or into the backstop over the catchers head. When I go to games I can’t even remember a time that I ever saw the first pitch, let alone cared that much who it was throwing it. It might be a 15 second event at most. Seems like if the Rangers wanted Dirk, they should’ve gotten to put Dirk out there. Maybe Selig is making some of his last attempts to keep baseball’s pre-historic thinking in tact. Man I hope he retires and we have a new MLB commish in 2012. Maybe then we’ll actually hear what the verdict is on the A’s territorial rights…
By
cali4dre
chappy81
dyslecix
mceezy
Doin Work 
October 20th, 2011 at 6:42 am
chappy
Bud Selig is anally retentive ……… and should we have expected anything else from a guy who’s literally sat by idly as the Dodgers and Mets have become the laughing stock of MLB ? Nothing that this moron does comes as a complete surprise anymore but there are idiot owners and fans who simply believe that he’s done a great deal for the game . ! Yeah , what a joke !
tophatal ….
October 20th, 2011 at 7:18 am
First pitches are reserved for the military…and anyone associated with Fox television shows.
October 20th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Haha! I bet they’d let the transformer do it!
October 20th, 2011 at 10:01 am
The Fox Robot…oh man, I forgot about him. Slam dunk choice for first pitch!
October 20th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Any truth to the rumor that Selig rescinded on his initial decision to deny Dirk the first pitch once he realized that technically, the NBA isn’t currently a sport?
October 20th, 2011 at 11:09 am
Oh, Chris. You had to bring THAT up. Man, we just got new Sixers’ owners in Philly who actually have this city marginally motivated for pro hoops again…but it’s very hard to own a ghost isn’t it?
October 20th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
How does that work!?! If they never play a game again for some unthinkable and terrible reason, does Will Smith just lose his money?
October 20th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Yet more proof Osama Bud Selig is a dick…
October 21st, 2011 at 5:23 pm
http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/7125013/2011-world-series-mlb-invite-dallas-mavericks-dirk-nowitzki-throw-first-pitch-game-3
Looks like Bud heard you Chaps!
October 21st, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Who would’ve thought Bud knew how to use the internet!
October 24th, 2011 at 8:31 am
chappy
Bud knows how to use the ‘net ? Trolling (Selig) for an IQ no doubt !
So Carson’s reintroduction to the NFL didn’t go all that well then (28-0) ? Who knew ? Not necessarily back to the drawing board but perhaps an Etch A Sketch is needed in drawing up a game plan by the coaching staff for the team ?
So the Colts’ defense allowed Brees and the Saints to put up a 6 ” spot” on their a#s ? Wow !
tophatal ……
October 24th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Yeah, the Raiders looked terrible yesterday. It was painful to watch. Carson didn’t look all that good, but then again he’d only been in Oakland for five days before the game, so he gets a pass. I’m more disappointed in Boller. Two picks in his first four passes is inexcuseable…. I guess when you lose McFadden on the first series you’re a little screwed…
October 21st, 2011 at 5:38 pm
If Dirk wants to throw out the first pitch while looking ridiculous, he certainly should be allowed
October 25th, 2011 at 7:02 am
chappy
Given the proficiency of the Raiders’ running game why the hell didn’t Hue Jackson stick with that ?
tophatal ….
October 25th, 2011 at 7:10 am
chappy
The Raiders have the best rushing attack in the AFC and are second only to the Eagles in the NFL . Have the wheels on their bus all of a sudden began to fall off once again ?
tophatal …………