News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch is probably too busy plotting world domination to spend much time worrying about something trivial like baseball -- until now.

America's pastime is about to start post-season play, most of which will be televised on the company's Fox television network. Already, there was one huge surprise as the Philadelphia Phillies overtook the New York Mets to win the National League East. But this isn't the type of surprise that the media mogul probably likes because a team from a smaller media market beat one from a larger one.

Remember that last year's series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers had record-low television ratings. Advertisers pay a premium price for television spots on the World Series because of the huge audience it attracts. Fox probably has guaranteed that the commercials will be seen by a set amount of viewers and must refund money to advertisers if these targets aren't hit.

Pitching, pitching, and more pitching. That's what teams sought most at Thursday's Major League Baseball draft at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS)'s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Dreams do come true, especially if you're a southpaw.

Top pick David Price of Vanderbilt, selected by the almost hometown Tampa Bay Devil Rays, is sure to quickly reap the rewards of his talents, since he is represented by Scott Boras. That would be the same Scott Boras who helped Alex Rodriguez secure the largest contract in professional sports history, the 10-year $252 million deal he signed heading into the 2001 season with the Texas Rangers. Price was one of seven lefthanders selected by baseball's 30 teams in the first round of the draft.

Overall, 17 of the 30 were hurlers. Young baseball talent isn't surrounded with the level of hoopla that goes with college players heading for the National Football League or National Basketball Association drafts. But the money will still be there for those lucky enough to hear their names Thursday. Last year's top pick, pitcher Luke Hochevar, also a Boras client, signed with the Kansas City Royals for a reported $5.3 million plus a $3.5 million bonus. Two years ago, it was shortstop Justin Upton, taken with the top pick by Arizona. The Diamondbacks finally signed him to a deal that included a $6.1 million bonus payable over five years.

David Price is sure to garner similar dollars from the moribund Devil Rays, who dream about not finishing last in the American League East.