by Stephen Jones
Item: MLB and MTV
Tries to create something glitzy—
A “field of dreams” designed to lure,
Fusing the game with pop culture.
If baseball wants the 12-34 fan,
It should think very hard about its brand.
The NBA has King James;
Likewise, football has big names.
Sure, baseball players also score
Big figures at the big-cash drawer,
But when that’s done, who remembers
The names, faces—or even numbers?
Where are baseball’s market tags—
The “somethings” of which it brags?
Baseball may self-tinker with the game,
But what it needs is names of fame.