Yankee die-hard here. Not every day a 42 year old pitcher goes yard let alone as a career first. And to his credit, it wasn't a cheapie - nice poke Roly Poly.
Mets fans know, everytime this guy is at the plate its an event. I dont think anyone is asking everyone to "care" about it , but it still was a fairly big story for the night and following day. Guaranteed more people remember his HR than remember who won the Derby or other events that you mentioned. It also turned out to be a fairly important HR considering the Mets were only winning 4-3 going into the 9th. And people still care about the NBA playoffs?
I heard there was a horse race this weekend as well. But New York isn't much of a racing town, as it only hosts one third of the Triple Crown.
No, because I don't think they will be. However, if they are, I am sure Bartolo Colon's home run will provide much comfort, given how historic and monumental it is.
There was literally zero buzz for the Derby anywhere this weekend. It's a hangover year for racing after Pharoh broke the Triple Crown barrier.
Derby Viewership for the past 5 years: 2016 15.5 million NBC Nyquist 2015 16.0 million NBC American Pharoah 2014 15.3 million NBC California Chrome 2013 16.2 million NBC Orb 2012 14.8 million NBC I'll Have Another Definitely down from last year, but very respectable among the past five years
OK, this is a valid point, but does it need to be front page news on every form of media to make this argument?
no but like I mentioned people like the guy. He's not cut like an athlete, he could be any fat lard on the couch watching the game with a beer in his hand. And he's defying age on top of physiology, so when you see the guy be a major league top 3 quality rotation guy and he then he does something else he shouldn't be able to do, people get interested. He's also obviously the elder statesman on the Mets roster, and he's a journeyman so he has a lot of love from fans of former teams (like the Yankees)