Why does the national media always overlook us?

[TexasCheesehead]

We've been battling for the N.L Central division title all year and the national media, throughout it all, has this overwhelming perceived consensus that we're not legitimate contenders to overthrow the Cubs. In mid June I heard an ESPN radio talk-show guy say the Brewers "had a zero percent chance of winning the division", then just now on MLB Network they said the Brewers were battling for a wild card spot...uh, no, we're battling for the division. On top of that, this entire season our 'playoff odds' has had us at a 20% chance at winning the division (at most). Even when we had five or six games on Chicago, our 'percent chance to win the division' was always around 15%.

 

It's one thing if it was just this year, but I feel like the media has always kind of dismissed us. What's so incredible about Chicago that people seem to be convinced they're significantly better than we are?

[phnxcrew]

I believe we addressed this in "no luv 4 da crew?"

[TexasCheesehead]

I believe we addressed this in "no luv 4 da crew?"

 

I haven't seen that thread, my bad.

 

Regardless though, everyone has been entranced with the Cubs for the last three seasons. They have flaws, just like we do. They're not a clear-cut favorite.

[Chicago Here]

I believe we addressed this in "no luv 4 da crew?"

 

the same reason why DS has to continue searching for a starting pitcher.And historically we just dont spend the money needed for that final kick. Maybe this year is different but we arent going anywhere, including a WC with Peralta (great propect though) and Miley in the rotation. I mean they have been looking solid but sustaining it on a playoff comp just is too high of a risk according to pundits.

[tmwiese55]

When we had the few game lead on the Cubs CBS had our division percent around 45% most days with the Cubs slightly ahead. They even had our playoff chances at like 97% which I thought was absurd that early in the year. We also had the most All-Stars this year.

 

ETA: Also, the Cubs just won the WS, clearly have more talent on paper, and have hammered us head to head this year. they should be the favorite

[JohnBriggs12]

Since beginning of the 2017 season, the Brewers are 151-126 and the Cubs are 157-117. That's not a big difference over 275 or so games, yet I've yet to hear one pundit on the national scene go out on a limb and predict the Brewers will win division. They could have gotten Machado, Moustakas and Realmuto at the deadline and they still would be picking the Cubs.

 

It's the herd mentality at work. It permeates all of the media these days including news and sports. I'm in the Chicago area, and I'll bet half the radio hosts on Chicago sports radio can't name 10 players on the Brewers. I know they can't name the guys in the Brewer rotation.

[Invader3K]

It could be worse. I remember back in 2007 (I think), the Brewers were faltering, but were still in Wild Card contention near the end of the season. Someone posted a graphic from ESPN that literally skipped the Brewers in the standings, like the team didn't even exist, even though they were still ahead of the next team listed!

 

I don't know why people bother with ESPN anymore. MLB Network is so much better for coverage from around the entire league. Most sports talk radio is unlistenable garbage as well.

[Boomer5]

It’s nothing personal it’s just follow the money.

 

Cleveland has been a very successful team since they brought in Francona and still all we see is NY vs Bostom every week.

[3and2Fastball]

We've never won a World Series. The last time we even went to a World Series was 36 years ago! The national media won't take us seriously until we actually make a WS run. Historically, the Brewers have always found a way to mess things up. The last time we had a legitimate shot, we started Yuni B at Shortstop, and had a rookie manager starting Mark Kotsay in center field. Much of the country views the Brewers as a joke of a franchise. We don't get the benefit of the doubt. At this point we need to prove them wrong.

[JohnBriggs12]

It could be worse. I remember back in 2007 (I think), the Brewers were faltering, but were still in Wild Card contention near the end of the season. Someone posted a graphic from ESPN that literally skipped the Brewers in the standings, like the team didn't even exist, even though they were still ahead of the next team listed!

 

I don't know why people bother with ESPN anymore. MLB Network is so much better for coverage from around the entire league. Most sports talk radio is unlistenable garbage as well.

 

MLB Network is slightly better, but all their guys when asked who'll win the Central go with the Cubs too. Whether it's ESPN, MLB Network, or Fox Sports, they all live in the same echo chamber.

[tmwiese55]

Seriously, if you had to put your life or a huge chunk of money, who here wouldn't pick the Cubs? This exact scenario played out just last year and the Cubs won by a few games. Of course I think we can win and we probably have a higher chance than folks give us credit, but they're totally right to pick them as the favorites.

[NievesNoNO]

We've never won a World Series. The last time we even went to a World Series was 36 years ago! The national media won't take us seriously until we actually make a WS run. Historically, the Brewers have always found a way to mess things up. The last time we had a legitimate shot, we started Yuni B at Shortstop, and had a rookie manager starting Mark Kotsay in center field. Much of the country views the Brewers as a joke of a franchise. We don't get the benefit of the doubt. At this point we need to prove them wrong.

 

Pretty much this. Win some playoff games and the media will have to cover them. Until then, don't expect much from the national media. Honestly, right now does anyone outside of Milwaukee, other than Brewer fans and baseball nerds really care about the Brewers? Probably not. The A's and Mariners are having terrific seasons as well and you rarely hear about them. Whether or not they get national exposure is not really a care of mine. In this day, there's all sorts of outlets, including this site that provide more value for my time.

[liveforoctober]

I don't think it is much more complicated than...

 

If a media outlet adds "Chicago" or "Yankees" or "Los Angeles" into its headline... it gets X number of views.

If a media outlet adds "Milwaukee" or "Brewers" into its headline ... it gets X number of views.

 

The media outlet will write stories that get page views.

[tmwiese55]

Also, in regards to all the analysts on MLB picking the Cubs. In a way I actually appreciate the network allowing them to give their opinions. I remember years ago when I watched ESPN/Baseball Tonight before MLB network existed, you could tell the producers made the guys all pick different teams even if it made no sense seemingly just so they could argue and the other guys could then rip on them for picking the team. Guys picking the Pirates who were 7 games back and stuff like that. Hey, you gotta embrace the debate!! It pretty much embodied what has ruined ESPN

[brewmann04]

Who cares what they think or don't I rather not have the attention

[tmwiese55]

Who cares what they think or don't I rather not have the attention

 

Agreed, I was just saying this to someone regarding UW football this year. I think the SI preview coming out is going to have UW picked to make the playoff and UW on the cover, although I think they do regional covers if I remember correctly. I'd rather stay off the radar and hype train as much as possible.

[lcbj68c]

Money. The National Media has no obligation except to make money for it's employees and businesses. Larger media markets are dominated by the population they serve. Millions tuning in to SportsCenter, for example, living in Chicago, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston want to see coverage on the AL East and NL West. The hundreds or maybe thousands watching in Milwaukee aren't going to dictate coverage for millions of others.

 

I don't know why this bothers people to be honest. Much like political coverage, media corporations don't have an obligation (nor should they, in my opinion) to report or have commentary in a balanced manner. They have a responsibility to garner revenue through the most eyes and sell those most advertisements possible.

[FVBrewerFan]

Agree it's about money, but at some level it doesn't make sense. If you're a Yankees fan, for example, don't you have 50 sources of info on them without needing ESPN?

 

I rarely watch ESPN, MLB, NFL, etc. networks anymore. But when I do it's to find out about all the other teams I don't follow closely. Anything ESPN has to say about the Brewers will be old info or wrong info.

 

Fact is, they don't really know. What if they led off with big stories of the day about the Brewers, Indians, Dbacks, etc. Who knows, maybe ratings would be the same. Maybe higher, as the Yankess/BoSox fans have to wait longer to see their highlights. Doubt it, but just throwing it out there.

[tmwiese55]

MLB network did a good 5-10 min thing on the Brewers about 30 minutes ago. Broke down our rotation and had a talk on our pitchers holding up. I have it on mute at work so don't know what was said but it was a whole segment just to the Brewers.

 

You see this all day on MLB network for different teams. They cover the whole league about as evenly/well as possible, and show highlight summaries of all games. ESPN only covers 4-5 teams though. The complaint in this thread seemed to be on that no one is picking the Brewers or giving them serious consideration as a threat to the Cubs though, not that they cover the big market teams for ratings more.

[TooLiveBrew]

Agreed that MLB Network does a good job of covering the league & not just the largest media markets.

[TURBO]

...and had a rookie manager starting Mark Kotsay in center field.

 

THIS, can never be forgiven...EVER!

 

I'm sure RR has completely forgotten, and maybe doesn't even think that was a monumental mistake, but we Brewers fans, will have to live with it forever.

 

Gosh that was horrible.

[Est1970]

It's always interesting when this topic comes up to look at the schedule for ESPN Sunday night baseball. The last time the Sunday night game did not involve the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers or Cubs was June 24 (Nats/Phils). Before that it was May 20 (Houston/Cleveland).

[nate82]

Overall the Cubs are better than the Brewers and the safe bet is to pick the Cubs to win the division over the Brewers. I don't believe the media are overlooking the Brewers it is just the reality of the situation where the Cubs are the better team.

[Jimbo]

...and had a rookie manager starting Mark Kotsay in center field.

 

THIS, can never be forgiven...EVER!

 

I'm sure RR has completely forgotten, and maybe doesn't even think that was a monumental mistake, but we Brewers fans, will have to live with it forever.

 

Gosh that was horrible.

 

I got over it long ago. At the time, Gomez was a black hole offensively. I had no problem switching defense for offense.

[adambr2]

...and had a rookie manager starting Mark Kotsay in center field.

 

THIS, can never be forgiven...EVER!

 

I'm sure RR has completely forgotten, and maybe doesn't even think that was a monumental mistake, but we Brewers fans, will have to live with it forever.

 

Gosh that was horrible.

 

I got over it long ago. At the time, Gomez was a black hole offensively. I had no problem switching defense for offense.

 

What offense? Kotsay at that time in his career was a pretty weak hitting .700 OPS or so outfielder, around the same as Gomez put up that year.

 

It was basically a lateral offensive move with a huge defensive downside.