If a home run falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
MLB finds itself facing that question.
This year’s World Series between the Rangers and Diamondbacks — the Rangers claimed the franchise’s first title Wednesday night in a Game 5 that began as a nailbiter of a pitchers’ duel and became a coronation — has been the least-watched in MLB history, renewing concerns about the league’s ability to market itself to a broad audience.
Game 1, which was a thrilling 6-5 win by the Rangers in 11 innings, averaged just 9.35 million viewers, according to ESPN, making it the least-watched World Series opener ever. The previous low for a Game 1 was 9.48 million during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
