MLB Network

I think this is a great example of something deserving its own thread, so I'll post a couple initial comments by jay and DHDF about the MLB Network, and let them be the spark for the discussion.

ceyheyjay:

I've enjoyed the MLB Network to some extent, but you are all correct in how bad Heyman is. They had graphic listing all the teams who are in on Orlando Hudson as Heyman was talking about it, and they listed the Dodgers. I thought, what in the world?
Well, once they got around to the Dodgers on the list of teams, Heyman says how it would make sense for them to be in on Hudson because they don't have a veteran at that spot. He basically said Hudson+Dunn=Manny. OK, yeah. sure.

Otherwise, the network has some pretty good moments and at least it's not BoSPiN. If they just do a good job of updating scores during the season, I should be able to cut back on my BoSPiN viewing by 90 percent or so.

Die-Hard Dodger Fan:

Yeah, I say that, too, jay and I thought that was some pretty dumb analysis. Yeah, we will not sign Manny for $20 mill BUT we will commit to signing Dunn for $10 mill AND Hudson for another $10 mill (even though we have a cheap, very serviceable combo or DeWitt and Loretta for 2B) because that will equal the same production???!!!

I mean I am very excited for the MLB Network BUT I sure hope they bring in guys like Kevin Kennedy who at least have some sort of a clue what our teams' needs are and what we should do because Heyman and Joel Sherman don't know squat about the Dodgers and what they need to be doing.

Its also obvious that the East Coast bias is not limited to the 4 letter network or Fox. But its not surprising since on the XM station pretty much all the hosts admit they are either Yankee or Mets fans.

IMO, it would help out the MLB if they hired hosts with more comprehensive knowledge of all the baseball teams. Or maybe I should say hosts who are willing to provide more balanced reporting.

Its a sad day when Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton is the host who will give the most "balanced" reporting on the XM channel (besides Kennedy, that is).

Personally, I think it's high time they finally put this together. It'll be deserving of a little grace as it gets started (and as they learn and grow), but it's a great thing!

I think it's a bit early to be accusing them of East Coast bias already.

(hoping no one notices that Hazel Mae came from NESN....)

(oops.)

One thing I will say is that i'm pleasantly surprised with their production value. The studios look legit, and the commercials look professional. I couldn't say the same for some of the shows we did at MLB.tv, and I remember when the NHL first went to versus, it looked like they were broadcasting from Gary Thorne's basement.

I am also eagerly anticipating what the MBL network's coverage will be like when the season starts.

I would HOPE that they bring on reporters who cover other teams besides those that reside on the Northeast (ie. Joel Sherman of the NY Post) on a regular basis to give all other teams more coverage.

I mean with a network that is not 100% devoted solely to MLB, I would think they could see the merit of more comprehensive coverage. I mean they are going to need to fill a lot of programming time so it would behoove them to do so by expanding their coverage and reporting to all 30 teams.

In fact, it would be great if they did regional shows and actually spaced those shows out so that they could be shown on primetime in their corresponding timezones.

For example, they could do shows that cover the AL & NL East that starts at 7pm Eastern time and have a show that covers the AL & NL West that starts at 7pm Pacific time.

And of course a show for the AL & NL Central that starts 7pm Central time.

By doing so they would be able to fill a lot of their programming time and have it cover all the teams.

ESPN's Baseball Tonight is basically a 1hr show whose programing is basically dominated by the Red Sox, Yankees and Mets.

Mike Scioscias tragic illness:

I think it's a bit early to be accusing them of East Coast bias already.

(hoping no one notices that Hazel Mae came from NESN....)

(oops.)

One thing I will say is that i'm pleasantly surprised with their production value. The studios look legit, and the commercials look professional. I couldn't say the same for some of the shows we did at MLB.tv, and I remember when the NHL first went to versus, it looked like they were broadcasting from Gary Thorne's basement.

True on the quality - very nice studio from what I can see so far. You gotta figure if MLB was gonna start it's own network, with all the money MLB has, it *better* have a sweet studio and professional looking sets, etc.

Now they're showing game one of the '08 series, and Buck is on there. I had to endure his mug and voice yesterday, so now it's off. Is it just me, or does he - when the camera first shows his mug - kinda shift in his chair a bit and paste on a silly smug smirk, as if to suggest he's thinking "Yeah, that's right, you get to hear my incredible voice for the next 3 hours..."?

Babe Herman:

I wish Time-Warner would have given us a free trial. I can't find anything on their website about it, so I don't know if it's part of their sports tier, or if it's a stand alone extra. I'm not going to worry about it for now, since I don't think I'm going to stay with T-W much longer. Way too expensive for what you get.

DirectTV has it as part of their regular programming package.

DirectTV is definitely the way to go if you want comprehensive sports coverage.

I also get the NBA League Pass on DirectTV so I also get the NBA channell thrown in. It keeps be up to date on all my favorite sports: NBA, MLB and NFL.

I have enjoyed the MLB Channel so far. They have spent a good deal of time spreading the love so far although they don't have a good idea what the Dodgers needs are they are better than ESPN so far.

I would love to see them do a minor league game of the week type of thing that would be awesome. As for the Orlando Hudson most people around the country do not realize that DeWitt played second base when Kent went down.

ceyheyjay:

MSTI, I'm not accusing them of a bias, yet. In fact, so far they haven't seemed biased. It's just folks like me and DHDF have had the Red Sox and Yankees forced down our throats for so long that we are anxious to get something with a different taste and leary of the same old crapola being served.

I mean, I don't mind Reynolds, whose biases are more towards players he played with or friends of his. For instance, if they mention Ken Griffey, Jr., Reynolds is going to be very, very pro-Griffey. That's OK.

I LOVE DHDF's idea of the different shows at different times. So far, they've had one show that they've shown over and over, but hopefully once the season starts they'll put in more time to give us a little variety.

Right now, it's tough to talk about a lot of different things when there really isn't anything going on. The only "news" out there right now is Heyman said the Rangers, Giants, Eagles, Maple Leafs and 76'ers are all interested in Manny.

I just sent them an e-mail via MLB.com suggesting that they add a minor league game of the week to help fill out their programming. I also suggested that they work on getting more accurate with their western reporting. I have to say they have a done a good job so far at providing even (albeit not necessarily accurate) coverage accross the league. They actually did a good job covering the Royals the other day.

Right now, I'm so upset I can't see straight. Brendt gives the best volley ever in history...in a closed thread.

Hunteralan: I was wrong once...in third grade.

My response: I remember last year was pretty rough for you.

I know that's off-topic, but there was no way I could let that one go.

I feel better now.

ceyheyjay:

Right now, I'm so upset I can't see straight. Brendt gives the best volley ever in history...in a closed thread.

Hunteralan: I was wrong once...in third grade.

My response: I remember last year was pretty rough for you.

I know that's off-topic, but there was no way I could let that one go.

I feel better now.

Hey! I'll have you know I graduated 3rd grade in 1976 . . . . . . and 1977...

Question: Do your kids have to go out of state for 4th grade? I mean, after graduating 3rd grade from the state university system, what more is there for them in Tennessee?

ceyheyjay:

hunteralan:

ceyheyjay:

Right now, I'm so upset I can't see straight. Brendt gives the best volley ever in history...in a closed thread.

Hunteralan: I was wrong once...in third grade.

My response: I remember last year was pretty rough for you.

I know that's off-topic, but there was no way I could let that one go.

I feel better now.

Hey! I'll have you know I graduated 3rd grade in 1976 . . . . . . and 1977...

Question: Do your kids have to go out of state for 4th grade? I mean, after graduating 3rd grade from the state university system, what more is there for them in Tennessee?

The oldest is in third grade this year and we're looking for one of them scholarship thingies so we can afford to send her to 4th grade at the University of Mississippi next year. After that, we'll have to move her to Kentucky for 5th and 6th grade.
By the way, what grade do they teach advanced surfing and pot smoking in Californee? 4th or 5th?

I believe the pre-req for pot smoking is how to put on a condom, so I'm guessing kindergarten.

Don't get me started...

With the amount of kids having kids, I doubt that most young'ins know what a USC is or how to use it.

First black mark against the network: I'm watching (can't sleep) the prime 9 "greatest home runs in MLB history, based on their significance at the time when they happened." Gibby's '88 HR is 4th. Carter's WS HR is 3rd... I don't even care what #1 is. 4th??? Whatever...

Sorry, MLBN, but, realistically (and for what it meant to the team):

1 Maz (underdog beats heavily favored Yanks in WS)
2 Carter (won the WS)
3 Gibby (most dramatic, and we wouldn't have won in 1988 without it, but it didn't win the WS)
4 Ordoñez (put Detroit in the WS two years after losing 119 games)

Mike Scioscias tragic illness:

I think it's a bit early to be accusing them of East Coast bias already.

(hoping no one notices that Hazel Mae came from NESN....)

(oops.)

One thing I will say is that i'm pleasantly surprised with their production value. The studios look legit, and the commercials look professional. I couldn't say the same for some of the shows we did at MLB.tv, and I remember when the NHL first went to versus, it looked like they were broadcasting from Gary Thorne's basement.

Hell, Hazel Mae could appear on the set wearing the full Red Sox ensemble and I could care less, she is fun to look at and seems to leave her opinions at the door....so far. I wish the same could be said for the Red Sox-loving members of BBTN.

Shoot, with only couple football games of note left and with my lack of interest in the college hoop game, this year, I desperately needed this channel to fill the void between Lost, 24 and Fringe. I can't find any big problem other than Heyman is a tool and Verducci needs to speak up.

ceyheyjay:

Kyle, I too was extremely upset with the rankings, but they went into it saying their rankings were designed to stir up controversy not to "decide things."

I understand and very much respect Torgy's well stated opinion of Thompson's home run, but to me they contradict themselves. They didn't give Bonds any glory, I'm assuming because he cheated. Well, Thompson was every bit the cheater that Bonds was, so why does that home run get #1.

They weren't consistent with the way they applied things in that regard, but it was a fun list to discuss. I also enjoyed their top 9 centerfielders list, but I'm having a hard time understanding how Edmunds got on the list.

This was another one of those times I really needed to talk to my Dad as he was always my authority on baseball back in the day.

I missed the one on the best centerfielders, but if the top four were Mays, DiMaggio, Speaker and Snider, I would be okay with that. Edmonds? Really? Wow, I would think that Puckett, Mantle, Murphy, and even Jimmy Wynn would be better options than Edmonds. Too bad Pete Reiser ruined his knees so early in his career, he would've been one of the best of all time.

Even though both likely cheated, Thomson's homer actually was special in that it won a huge game, while * homer was nothing more than a statistic.