The waterlogged 2008 World Series is making its case as the worst in many years.
Game 5 of the Phillies/Rays series was suspended in the sixth inning Monday night, and will not resume until at least Wednesday night, thanks to inclement weather in Philadelphia. The resumption of Game 5 is scheduled for an 8:37 PM start time on Wednesday, following a previously scheduled address by Illinois senator Barack Obama.
Games 6 and 7 of the series, if necessary, will also be moved back. Game 6 would likely take place Thursday, and Game 7 on Friday, though Major League Baseball lists both games as TBA.
The first six innings of Game 5 drew an 8.2/12 final rating and 13.2 million viewers on FOX Monday night. The final fifteen minutes of the game averaged a 10.4/16 rating. In Philadelphia, the first part of Game 5 averaged a massive 45.2/60 rating, compared to a 28.1/40 in Tampa/St. Petersburg.
FOX says Nielsen will issue a separate rating for the second half of Game 5, whenever it is played.
While this may be one of the closest World Series in recent memory in terms of on-the-field play, the 2008 Fall Classic will likely be best remembered for the terrible weather in Philadelphia, and for terrible television ratings. All in all, this has shaped up to be a forgettable October for Major League Baseball.
