Game 1 Ratings Hurt by Vice Presidential Debate

Ratings were off 21% for Fox’s first prime-time telecast of baseball postseason, due mainly to Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate.

Game 1 of the New York-Minnesota series, won by the Twins, 2-0, drew only a 5.9 national rating and a 9% share of the audience.

Most of the game faced competition from the vice presidential debate, which was carried by six networks and drew a combined 28.1 rating.

Last year, Fox’s first prime-time telecast of the postseason -- Game 1 of the Chicago Cubs vs. the Atlanta Braves -- got a 7.5 rating and a 12.

The last time a baseball playoff game went up against a vice presidential debate was in 2000, and that game, between the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, got only a 5.0/9.

The rating for Tuesday night’s game jumped to a 6.8 after the debate ended and then peaked at a 7.1.

The L.A. average rating was a 5.2/9.

ESPN national ratings for its two day games Tuesday were a 1.7 for the Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals and a 2.9 for the Boston Red Sox and Angels.

No L.A. ESPN ratings were available Wednesday. However, Channel 11, which simulcast ESPN’s coverage of the Dodger game, got a 2.4 rating, and Channel 13, which simulcast the Angel game, got a 2.0.

-- Larry Stewart

*

The Senate passed a bill that would curtail sales of steroid precursors such as androstenedione.

Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) said the bill would add 18 substances to the list of banned anabolic steroids, including androstenedione and tetrahydrogestrinone.

The House has approved a similar bill, but the two must be reconciled before anything goes to the White House to be signed into law.

Congress has taken an increased interest in the issue this year after reports of steroid use among athletes, particularly major league baseball players.

A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted four men on charges of illegally distributing steroids, including the personal trainer of Giant slugger Barry Bonds.

*

Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox had surgery on his left ankle and might not be ready for spring training. Thomas, who played in only 74 games this season, had debris removed from the ankle, a bone graft and two screws inserted. His recovery will take at least four months.

*

The Oakland Athletics claimed right-hander Tim Harikkala off waivers from the Colorado Rockies and designated right-hander Kirk Saarloos for assignment.... Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner had surgery on his right elbow and is expected to be ready for spring training.... The Chicago Cubs paid a $6,725 penalty for renovating Wrigley Field without the required city permits for such work. The Cubs also paid $36,010 to obtain the two permits, which the city issued retroactively.... Outfielder John Vander Wal chose free agency instead of a demotion off the Cincinnati Reds’ 40-man roster.