MLB All-Star Game has slight drop in viewers despite having its first swing-off
It was Fox's most-watched telecast since the Super Bowl and the network's best audience for a Tuesday night since last year's Game 4 of the World Series. However, it was a 3.5% decrease from the 2024 game and the second-lowest for the Midsummer Classic.
Kyle Schwarber's three home runs gave the National League a 4-3 victory in the swing-off after the American League rallied to tie it at 6-6 in the ninth inning after trailing by six runs in the seventh. The audience for the game in Atlanta peaked at 8.1 million viewers from 9:15-9:30 p.m. EDT.
Major League Baseball and the players' association made the change in 2022 amid concerns about running out of pitchers because hardly anyone throws more than an inning in the game anymore, The game was decided by having three batters from each league take three swings each off coaches in what was baseball's equivalent of soccer's penalty-kicks shootout.
Baseball continues to have the best ratings for an event featuring All-Stars. The NHL did not have an All-Star Game this year, while the NBA's averaged 4.7 million on TNT. The NFL's Pro Bowl games, a series of skills competitions and flag football, also averaged 4.7 million on ABC.
Monday night's Home Run Derby averaged 5.73 million on ESPN, a 5% increase over last year.
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
5 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner shows off all-around game against the White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner delivered for the Chicago Cubs on Sunday — at the plate and in the field. Hoerner hit an RBI single and scored from first on Matt Shaw's double in the sixth inning of the Cubs' series finale against the Chicago White Sox. He also reached on an infield single in the second on the 14th pitch of his at-bat against Sean Burke. But Hoerner's best moment of the afternoon was a heady defensive play in the third at Rate Field. The White Sox had runners on first and second with one out when Chase Meidroth popped up to Hoerner at second base. Meidroth was called out via the infield fly rule, and Hoerner let the ball drop to see if any of the baserunners would try to advance. When Lenyn Sosa broke for third, Hoerner — a Gold Glove winner in 2023 — threw him out for the inning-ending double play. ___ AP MLB:
Toronto Star
35 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Padraig Harrington wins Senior British Open for his second senior major title this year
BERKSHIRE, England (AP) — Padraig Harrington was so focused on his game that he didn't notice a leaderboard or see Rory McIlroy walking in the gallery Sunday at the Senior British Open. He closed with a 3-under 67 to win his second senior major of the year. Staked to a two-shot lead, Harrington made eagle on the first hole on the Old Course at Sunningdale and no one got closer than two shots the rest of the way as he became the fifth player with a Senior British Open and a British Open title.
Winnipeg Free Press
35 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Padraig Harrington wins Senior British Open for his second senior major title this year
BERKSHIRE, England (AP) — Padraig Harrington was so focused on his game that he didn't notice a leaderboard or see Rory McIlroy walking in the gallery Sunday at the Senior British Open. He closed with a 3-under 67 to win his second senior major of the year. Staked to a two-shot lead, Harrington made eagle on the first hole on the Old Course at Sunningdale and no one got closer than two shots the rest of the way as he became the fifth player with a Senior British Open and a British Open title. He won by three shots over Thomas Bjorn (67) and Justin Leonard (68). 'I'm thrilled to have won but very satisfied that I've won a Senior Open with my two Opens,' Harrington said. 'The fact that only five people have ever done it is quite special. I'm quite proud that I've managed to survive this long in the game.' He joined Darren Clarke, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Bob Charles as players to have won the British Open and the senior version. McIlroy walked around for a bit on the London-area course, though it wasn't much of a show. Harrington seized control late in the third round and never gave anyone much of a chance. Bjorn made a late charge to get within two shots, but that ended with a bogey on the 16th. 'The only time I saw a leaderboard was on 18,' said Harrington, who said he asked his caddie for an update on the 17th hole. 'Was fully focused on what I was doing. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Irishman was surprised to hear McIlroy, who is building a home in London, was at Sunningdale for the final round. 'I didn't see him out there. Was he out there?' Harrington said. 'I had the head down all day. I never saw anybody. I had no idea.' Harrington now has 11 titles on the PGA Tour Champions, and he has won multiple times each of the last four seasons. He won the U.S. Senior Open last month at The Broadmoor. And he nearly won the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional until a late two-shot swing gave the title to Angel Cabrera. ___ AP golf:
