Ben Verlander Calls for More Baseball Coverage in Mainstream Media

As Justin Verlander Prepares for His 21st Season, His Brother Champions MLB’s Growth in Sports Media

Introduction: The Call for More Baseball Coverage

Baseball has long been referred to as “America’s pastime,” but in recent years, its media coverage has lagged behind the NFL and NBA. Ben Verlander, a former minor league player turned MLB analyst, is now making a strong case for the sport to get more attention from mainstream media outlets.

With his brother, Justin Verlander, entering his 21st season in Major League Baseball, Ben has taken to social media to express his frustration with the current landscape of sports media—one that prioritizes football and basketball over baseball, even when there are major MLB storylines unfolding.

In a tweet shared on X (formerly Twitter), Ben Verlander wrote:

“The fact that baseball isn’t getting the coverage it deserves is crazy to me. So many incredible storylines, so many young stars, and yet networks spend hours debating basketball and football every day. The media is missing a huge opportunity.”

With the MLB season approaching, Justin Verlander’s continued dominance, and an influx of young talent in the league, Verlander’s concerns raise an important question: Why does baseball receive less coverage than other major sports?

Justin Verlander’s 21st Season: A Testament to MLB’s Longevity

While Ben Verlander champions the game’s visibility in sports media, his brother, Justin Verlander, remains one of its biggest stars.

At 41 years old, Verlander is still one of the most respected pitchers in the game. Entering his 21st MLB season, the three-time Cy Young winner and World Series champion continues to prove that he belongs among the all-time greats.

After returning to the Houston Astros in 2023 following a brief stint with the New York Mets, Verlander remains a crucial part of Houston’s championship aspirations in 2025.

A Career That Defines Greatness

Justin Verlander’s legendary career includes:
✅ Three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2019, 2022)
✅ Two World Series titles (2017, 2022)
✅ Nine All-Star appearances
✅ An MVP Award (2011)
✅ Over 250 career wins and 3,000+ strikeouts

His ability to dominate at an advanced age is a story worth covering—yet, as Ben Verlander pointed out, it doesn’t receive the level of media attention that an NBA or NFL veteran in a similar position would get.

Imagine if LeBron James (who is currently 39) was entering his 21st season with multiple MVPs and championships. The sports world would be in constant discussion about his legacy, every game analyzed under a microscope.

Yet, Justin Verlander—a pitching legend still competing at an elite level—doesn’t get nearly the same coverage.

This ties into the larger issue Ben Verlander is advocating for: why isn’t baseball, and its greatest players, getting the media attention they deserve?

Why Is Baseball Overlooked in Mainstream Media?

Ben Verlander’s frustration isn’t unfounded. Despite baseball’s deep-rooted history and strong TV ratings in local markets, national sports media tends to focus more on the NBA and NFL.

But why? Here are a few possible explanations:

1. The NFL and NBA Are More Social Media-Driven

One reason for baseball’s diminished media presence is the nature of its content on social media.

• The NFL and NBA thrive on short, viral clips—whether it’s a crazy dunk, a highlight pass, or a hard-hitting football play.
• Baseball, however, is more nuanced. A masterful pitching performance or a hitter’s patience at the plate doesn’t always translate to viral content.

Social media plays a huge role in how stories are told today, and baseball has struggled to keep up in terms of instant engagement.

2. A Longer, Slower Season

MLB’s 162-game season can make individual games feel less urgent than an NFL season (which only has 17 games) or an NBA season (which has 82 games).

• The NFL dominates sports media because every game is crucial—one loss can make or break a season.
• Meanwhile, baseball games don’t carry the same weight on a nightly basis, making it harder to generate daily national discussion.

3. The NBA and NFL Personalities Drive Headlines

One of the biggest reasons football and basketball dominate the headlines is their superstar personalities.

• LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry constantly make news with their on-court performances and off-court drama.
• The NFL is a soap opera of coaching changes, trade rumors, and player controversies, keeping fans engaged even in the offseason.

While baseball has incredible young stars like Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Julio Rodríguez, the sport doesn’t promote its stars as aggressively as the NBA and NFL.

Ben Verlander’s Push for Change: What Needs to Happen?

Ben Verlander is using his platform to push for more baseball coverage in national sports media, and his argument makes a lot of sense.

Here are a few ways baseball can gain a stronger foothold in the sports media world:

1. More National Media Coverage of MLB Stars

ESPN, FS1, and other sports networks should dedicate more air time to baseball’s best players.

• Shohei Ohtani’s move to the Los Angeles Dodgers should be a bigger mainstream media story—he’s the first player since Babe Ruth to dominate as both a pitcher and hitter.
• Aaron Judge is one of the most marketable athletes in all of sports and should be a household name across all platforms.

2. MLB Must Improve Its Marketing Strategy

Baseball needs to market its young stars better, especially on social media.

• The NBA and NFL highlight personalities and rivalries, which helps drive engagement.
• MLB can take a page out of their book by creating more viral content around its biggest names.

3. A Shift in Storytelling

The media loves narratives, and baseball needs to lean into its stories more.

• Instead of just showing stats and highlights, MLB can embrace more drama, rivalries, and personal stories.
• Justin Verlander’s 21st season should be covered like LeBron’s late-career greatness.

Ben Verlander’s Flippin’ Bats Podcast is already doing a great job bringing baseball stories to life—but mainstream networks need to follow suit.

The Future of Baseball in Sports Media

Baseball is far from dying—it still generates huge revenues, passionate fan bases, and record-breaking contracts.

However, if it wants to gain more national media attention, the sport must evolve in how it markets itself.

Ben Verlander’s call for better baseball coverage is a message that resonates with many fans. With the 2025 MLB season approaching, exciting storylines emerging, and Justin Verlander continuing his legendary career, now is the perfect time for mainstream media to start giving baseball the attention it deserves.

Will they listen? Only time will tell.

Final Thoughts

Ben Verlander’s frustration is justified, but change won’t happen overnight. For MLB to reclaim its place in mainstream sports media, it needs to adapt.

• More focus on star players
• Better storytelling
• Increased social media engagement

With icons like Justin Verlander still dominating and new superstars on the rise, baseball has the potential to once again be a leading topic in the sports world.

The question remains: Will sports media finally step up and give baseball the coverage it deserves?