Nothing spells "Field of Dreams" like the report that MLB is in negotiations with Barstool Sports, a media group best known for racism, sexism, and the promotion of gambling. The Black Sox would feel right at home.

Barstool has been at the forefront of merging the worlds of gambling and sports that nearly every sports media property has since followed. It leaned into gambling coverage for years before the Supreme Court paved the way for legalization in 2018. Last year, Barstool sold a stake to Penn National Gaming that valued the company at $450 million. Since then, Fox Sports has launched its own sportsbook, and ESPN has partnered with Caesars and built a studio in Las Vegas to produce betting content. Last week, Penn bought a Canadian-based company, The Score, for its gambling app technology in a deal worth $2 billion.

Barstool has a strong connection with fans in a coveted younger demographic that both leagues and networks are salivating to reach. A gambling-themed broadcast of MLB games that airs on Barstool’s social channels would serve three purposes: cultivate that younger audience, further tap into the nascent sports betting boom and launch an experiment in digital broadcasting.

But partnering with Barstool comes with a cost. The company has a history of disparaging treatment and harassment of women. The company and its fans have harassed female journalists, and Portnoy has a history of offensive and sexist comments. MLB, meanwhile, is confronting the sport’s treatment of women. MLB has changed its harassment policy and established an anonymous hotline to report issues after reports about former New York Mets general manager Jared Porter sexually harassing a reporter and Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway being accused of lewd behavior toward multiple women.

Last year, Barstool released a podcast with a title acronym that spelled out a racial slur, and one employee quit the company in protest of old Portnoy comments that resurfaced online in which he used a racial slur and said Colin Kaepernick looked like a member of the Islamic State. ...

In the wake of the New York Post’s report, a number of baseball reporters expressed concern over the potential partnership. “MLB has long had a basic demographic problem, with a shrinking, aging, male audience,” tweeted San Francisco Chronicle Sports Editor Christina Kahrl. “Their answer to that is to try elevating one subsection of the sports marketplace with an especially horrific track record for misogyny & bigotry? The sport of Jackie Robinson deserves better.” ...

First thing to know is they're not playing on the field from the movie, which means this whole thing is a gimmick within a gimmick.

But it features two teams playing well this year. And hey, it's baseball, and therefore good.

Nothing spells "Field of Dreams" like the report that MLB is in negotiations with Barstool Sports, a media group best known for racism, sexism, and the promotion of gambling.

THERE'S ALREADY A THREAD FOR THAT, ####### HIJACKER.

But partnering with Barstool comes with a cost. The company has a history of disparaging treatment and harassment of women.

Rob Manfred: "Well, yes, that is disturbing, but MONEY!"

First thing to know is they're not playing on the field from the movie, which means this whole thing is a gimmick within a gimmick.

Wow, I didn't know this. I assumed that they expanded the existing field. But they actually just built a whole new one. Lame!

THERE'S ALREADY A THREAD FOR THAT, ####### HIJACKER.

Right, a thread that is no longer on Hot Topics. Sorry if I've OFFENDED you.

As for the game itself, of course I'll be watching it. As you say, "hey, it's baseball." (And hey, it's the Yankees.) But it does seem a bit ironic that a field associated with the Black Sox scandal should be showcased right at the time that MLB is trying to introduce gambling as an integral part of the viewing experience.

THERE'S ALREADY A THREAD FOR THAT, ####### HIJACKER.

Be gentle. Jolly is probably frustrated what with his Orioles having a bad season and all.

The dimensions and appearance of the stadium are meant to resemble old Comiskey Park, the White Sox’s home from 1910-90. A corn maze leads fans from the movie site to the stadium.

This is kind of neat. I think I read somewhere that the actual field from the movie was set up so that left field was like 180 feet to the corn due to logistics. It would have been interesting to play on that.

Be gentle. Jolly is probably frustrated what with his Orioles having a bad season and all.

Hey, they swept the Red Sox in Fenway, didn't they? Outscored 'em 18 to 5!

I’ve been looking forward to the game, but given the Yankees injury history of late, I’m somewhat concerned the team may be decimated by the corn blight.

First thing to know is they're not playing on the field from the movie, which means this whole thing is a gimmick within a gimmick.

Are they even playing with real ghosts?

I’ve been looking forward to the game, but given the Yankees injury history of late, I’m somewhat concerned the team may be decimated by the corn blight.

You've seen INTERSTELLAR, right? How things started/how it's going.

Are they even playing with real ghosts?

This. If we don't get to see Shoeless Joe Jackson bat righthanded in this game, what is the point?

My favorite thing about Field of Dreams critics are when they point out almost 35 years later that Shoeless Joe was ACTUALLY a lefty, as if they're the first ones to point it out. I mean ... it's the movies, people.

Seems like just reversing the negative (as well as the uniform) would have solved that issue, tho I guess Costner would become a lefty too.

My favorite thing about Field of Dreams critics are when they point out almost 35 years later that Shoeless Joe was ACTUALLY a lefty, as if they're the first ones to point it out. I mean ... it's the movies, people.

Was I being critical? Just kind of joking. I also did not realize that they built a whole new field for this. That seems way more bogus than Joe Jackson's batting righthanded. Anyway, the concept is cool and I hope it goes well, and the Yankees lose.

Jason Epstein (AKA StormyJE) was wondering if Gardner was going to channel Ray Liotta and bat righthanded.

Fox has a one-hour pre-game beginning at 6 pm ET, might be worth watching

Remember when the Red Sox and Yankees played in London and it turned out the park was such a joke that there were 30 runs scored in each game? I kinda wonder if something like that will happen here.

so bet the over! (ironically)

I was annoyed at first that they built a new field, but after seeing the pictures, I like it. They kept the original field intact for movie fans to see and enjoy, while building the new field in a way that looks like the movie set but is appropriate for a major league game.

Having gotten to play catch with my sons and my dad on the Field of Dreams, I think this whole thing is really neat.

Shoeless Joe was ACTUALLY a lefty

I just assumed Joe bats righty in the movie cuz he's a ghost now. (When Rickey! dies, he'll bat left and throw right...)

This is actually really neat. Well done, MLB.

Agreed, that was well done. And a heck of a ballgame.

It was great, very fun. The new field made a lot of sense and the corn maze between the new and old fields was great. It was very well done, and kudos for the White Sox and the Yankees for playing a "heck of a ballgame".

Also - please no Barstool, Mr. Manfred.

Richard Deitsch
@richarddeitsch
·
58m
Regarding last night's Field of Dreams game:

Based on overnight ratings per sources — final numbers out later — FOX is looking at its best metered market rating (the rating for the largest media markets/cities in the U.S.) for an MLB regular season game since 2005.

Yeah, I mean, that really was a total success from an MLB that seems rarely to have them lately.

Darren Rovell
@darrenrovell
·
49s
Topps has sold out of its Topps Now cards that have a piece of a corn stalk from the outfield last night.

FOX is looking at its best metered market rating (the rating for the largest media markets/cities in the U.S.) for an MLB regular season game since 2005.

HEADLINE: Manfred on rule for all stadiums in corn fields, cities to pay cost of farming: "I'm considering it."

I’m surprised a regular season game in 05 beat it. I thought you might have to back to the Bird or Fernando.

Nothing is ever going to compare to the days of three channels.