Another Example of Why…

You never know what will happen when you go to the ballpark – or tune into a game on television.

The D-backs and Yankees wrapped up their series last night (April 18) and the D-backs exciting 12-inning 6-2 win wasn’t the only storyline. There was also Didi Gregorius homering in his first at-bat in a D-backs uniform — on the first pitch he saw, Patrick Corbin dealing in front of family and friends against the team he grew up cheering for, two catcher interference calls and then THIS…

One guy in the stands catching TWO home runs. Yes, that’s right. The same guy caught not one, but two home runs in the same game – and he was wearing D-backs gear at Yankee Stadium! Here’s the story that FOX Sports Arizona shared with its television audience (one that peaked at a 5.8 rating – 104,550 Phoenix households at 8:00 pm) as well as on social media and FOXSportsArizona.com.

Gregorious led off the third inning with the homer to right field that was caught by a man wearing a D-backs hat and shirt. At first, everyone just thought it was a lone D-backs fan who wouldn’t give into Yankees fans demands to throw it back. Then later, it was discovered this “fan” who caught the ball was New Yorker Zack Hample, the notorious baseball collector and author who has now caught over 6500 baseballs at MLB games.

The story then takes a even crazier turn in the bottom of the 9th inning when Hample catches his SECOND home run of the night — New York’s Francisco Cervelli homer to left field that tied the game and forced extra innings.

FOX Sports Arizona stayed on the story during the game and Jody Jackson found Hample after the first home run catch for an interview.  In it, Hample claimed he would have caught a third from D-back Martin Parado  if not for preparing for the interview with Jackson!

@FOXSPORTSAZ was also on top of it to continue conversation on social media — showcasing the first home run catch (when it was believed he was a D-backs fan), the second home run and Hample’s tweet about the first catch and the second one as well. The first catch was highlighted on FOX Sports Arizona’s Facebook page and became its most-liked and shared photo ever.
Then finally, FOXSportsArizona.com wrapped it up with a story and photo of Hample meeting Gregorius after the game.

D-backs/Cubs Series Produces Big TV Ratings for FOX Sports Arizona

The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Chicago Cubs in dominating fashion this past weekend and it resulted in the season’s most watched three-game series for the D-backs on FOX Sports Arizona. The games were either the #1 or #2 highest rated programs in Phoenix on the respective days they were played and each game produced the market’s best peak rating for all three days.

The D-backs swept the Cubs and closed out a 6-game homestand that saw them score 51 runs

According to Nielsen Media Research, the games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday averaged a 5.0 rating/10 share (90,130 Phoenix households). Friday’s game did a 4.9 (#2 in Phoenix that day), Saturday’s did a 5.5 (#1 in Phoenix) and Sunday’s did a 4.5 (#2 in Phoenix). That average tops the season’s previous three-game series high – Oakland from June 8-10 (4.7 rating/9 share).

The series also produced tremendous peak ratings. The average peak rating for the three games was a 6.2 (111,761 Phoenix households) – 6.2 on Fri, 6.5 on Sat and 6.0 on Sunday. Those peak ratings were tops in the Phoenix market for any program on television each day as well.

The big D-backs television ratings weren’t just limited to games. Fans also watched the debut of an “In My Own Words” episode debut like never before.

Sunday’s In My Own Words: Matt Williams earned the highest debut rating for that program in the history of FOX Sports Arizona. It achieved a 2.3 rating/5 share. The previous highs were in 2006 when In My Own Words: Steve Nash garnered a 1.9 rating/3 share and In My Own Words: Eric Byrnes recorded a 1.8 rating/3 share.

If you missed Sunday’s debut that also drew positive reviews in the Twitter-verse, FOX Sports Arizona will air the show again on Tuesday at Friday at 10:30 pm. You can also see a clip from the show on FOXSportsArizona.com now and take a look at Williams’ “Dig Me” room at his house.