Season attendance shrank, as the box seat money went for the mortgage. Most of the division races were colder than the vendors’ beer. So what does baseball need, as it fights the annual autumn battle not to be swallowed by the NFL like a tailgate party chicken wing?

A compelling October. We’re here with a few suggestions.
No. 1: A dramatic World Series, no matter who’s in it.
Ironic, the to-do made about the All-Star Game deciding home field advantage. The World Series hasn’t lasted long enough lately for home field advantage to make much of a difference.
Five straight years, the issue has been decided in five games or less — the longest streak in the history of the event. The seven-game series is disappearing faster than doubleheaders. From 1955-87, 19 of the 33 World Series went the full distance. In the 21 years since, only four have gone seven games, and none since 2002.
So how important is it to have a World Series that lives long enough for the plot to thicken?
“Very,” Commissioner Bud Selig said over the phone. “I say it to myself every World Series, so it’s a fair question.
“A commissioner has a lot of authority. I wish I could figure out a way to order that we have a six or seven-game series.”
No. 2: Dodgers vs. Yankees. Not only would that be an echo from the glory days - they’ve met in the World Series 11 times - but it would put Joe Torre against the pinstriped empire that let him go. Can’t miss with that.
No. 3: Yankees vs. Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. Love `em or hate `em, they’re never, ever boring. Imagine Duke playing North Carolina for a trip to the Final Four.
Their season series was extraordinary. The Red Sox won the first eight games, the Yankees won nine of the last 10. Included were scores of 16-11 and 20-11, but also four shutouts and a Yankee victory that required 15 innings. They finished tied 9-9, New York having scored 101 runs, Boston 99.
Why let that be the end of it?
No. 4: The Phillies make a run at repeating, led by the suddenly resuscitated Brad Lidge.
We’re talking an event seen nearly as infrequently as Haley’s comet. The 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds are the only National League team to repeat as World Series champions ›lcubflhellip›rcubfl in 87 years.
Lidge needs amnesia, forgetting an agonizing regular season when he blew 11 saves and went from beloved closer to gasoline can.
The public is a sucker for the old hero-to-goat-back-to-hero story. And the fact Lidge has been so graceful through his troubles would make it all the more exhilarating.
No. 5: Dodgers vs. Red Sox.
Now batting for the Dodgers in Fenway Park, Manny Ramirez. Enough said.
No. 6: An underdog story.
If Detroit wins Tuesday night, that means seven of the eight playoff teams began the season among the top 13 in payrolls.
The exception? Colorado. The Rockies always seem a suitable Cinderella, especially since they started this season 20-32. Only thing is, they’re a sequel, having barged into the 2007 World Series.
The Twins, with a payroll down among the commoners, would be a feel-good story. The Tigers could be, too, given the sorry economic plight of their city.
They could be the inspiration Michigan State was in the NCAA basketball tournament. But Michigan State didn’t have to beat the Yankees.
No. 7: Angels vs. Dodgers.
Who doesn’t like to see neighbors go at it? Plus, a sentimental cause is always interesting, and the Angels have the memory of fallen teammate Nick Adenhart.
Of course, the last time they tried this sort of thing in California for a World Series - Oakland vs. San Francisco in 1989 - there was an earthquake.
No. 8: Mr. October.
For the casual spectators, teams don’t get the meter going. Stars do. A hitting binge between two titans might help.
Paging Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez.
No. 9: Controversy.
Super Bowl week often comes with trash talking. In a combative NBA series, the two teams invariably develop genuine animosity, and it shows.
Baseball is kinder and gentler. Someone get mad.
“If you like the sport,” Selig said, “you’ve got some fascinating things here.”
Baseball needs them. If not October, when?