Cubs Are a Big Hit in the Ratings

The presence of the Chicago Cubs in the postseason has been a boon to Fox. The Cubs’ series-clinching victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 on Sunday night earned a 12.0 overnight rating and an 18 share.

The 12.0 is the second-highest rating for a division series game and the highest for a game televised by Fox. The only higher rating was a 13.4/22 for Game 5 of the 1995 American League division series between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners.

On the comparable date last year, Game 4 of the National League series between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves got a 7.4/11. The numbers for Sunday night’s game represent a 62% increase.

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Fox has added New York Met left-hander Al Leiter to its NL championship series announcing team and Seattle second baseman Bret Boone to its AL team. Leiter joins Thom Brennaman and Steve Lyons, Boone joins Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

-- Larry Stewart

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With the Angels uncertain who might play first base next season, Scott Spiezio’s agent said he could not envision the incumbent back in Anaheim in a utility role.

“There is no way I could see Scott Spiezio returning if they don’t feel like he’s an everyday guy,” Barry Meister said.

Spiezio plans to test free agency this fall. The Angels have told Meister they would like to discuss a 2004 contract for Spiezio, but Meister said no proposal had been made and that he had been led to believe any offer would be for considerably less than this year’s salary of $4.25 million.

“I got the feeling they were talking about a significant decline,” Meister said.

Spiezio, 31, who unsuccessfully sought a multiyear contract last winter, hit .265 with 16 home runs and a career-high 83 runs batted in.

-- Bill Shaikin

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Chicago Cub radio broadcaster Ron Santo, a former All-Star third baseman who has had diabetes most of his life and had both legs amputated at the knee, now faces surgery to remove tumors from his bladder, just as the team he loves is finally making some noise in the playoffs.

“I’m not worried about the procedure. I’m more upset that it came at a bad time. That’s all. Because me sitting home last night was great, but I wanted to be there so bad,” he said.

Santo, a nine-time All-Star, played for the Cubs in 1960-73. The Cubs retired his No. 10 at the end of this season.

From Associated Press