The second is the ability for the “fan” to experience violence vicariously in a socially acceptable manner. The increase in the culture of violence that permeates football correlates well with the decline in popularity of boxing. As it became increasingly unacceptable to enjoy watching two people beat the mortal hell out of each other, football stepped in to fill that void for a society in which violence in part of the fabric. It’s a modern version of gladiatorial combat coated in a thin veneer of macho jingoism.

Remove or modify these factors and the fan base will shrink precipitously.

PS: Prime time TV ratings do not equal popularity.

It’s almost always a silly strategy to intentionally walk somebody (there are scenario’s that it makes sense, but Andrus is clearly not referring to those). Putting an automatic runner on base every time for Holliday and Berkman would be a recipe for disaster. Let’s not forget, OPS was 3rd(!) on the team this year behind those two. Granted, he had a down year and is a better player, but Holliday and Berkman are excellent players.

In summary Texas, please intentionally walk Albert every time!

You are correct though, it is more humiliating to be beaten by one of the lesser hitters in the lineup.

I don’t get this line of thinking.

Isn’t it LESS humiliating to be beaten by the best hitter in baseball than someone improbable and mediocre like, say, Bucky Dent?

At least if Pujols beats you, then you can say, “Well, he IS the best hitter in baseball. What do you want?”

Cards are up 2-1 and they may well win the Series. But one blowout win doesn’t clinch it. Let’s see whether Good Edwin shows up tonight first.