People Watch the Red Sox

How popular are the Boston Red Sox? Really, really popular. We all know this. How does the Sox ownership quantify the team's popularity? A sold-out Fenway? Hat sales?

Hey, don't forget ratings. During the Sox 7-2 loss on Wednesday, Don Orsillo mentioned that NESN scored a rating of 17.9 on Opening Day. Bostonist understands this is a big number once we compared it to the first game of 2008, which got a more pedestrian rating of 8.9. Yes, that game began at 6 a.m. in Japan, which had lots to do with it.

Orsillo also said the Red Sox beat American Idol in the ratings, which appears to be incorrect, according to Entertainment Weekly. It did prompt Don to ask Jerry Remy if he would watch Idol over the Red Sox. Jerry picked his employer. Smart guy. Bostonist couldn't locate this clip but did see it live.

The Fenway folks must be thrilled. People are still interested, despite concerns from a nameless shit-disturber that the Sox are boring. If the Nation builds on the Opening Day success, will the impact of the recession on the Red Sox be less than some think?

Flickr image from massmoga.