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SAUNDERS: MLB network has a 'perfect' start

Dusty Saunders, Special to the Rocky

Published January 4, 2009 at 9:45 p.m.

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While a half-dozen TV channels were busy dissecting the surprising Pat Bowlen-Mike Shanahan divorce, one outlet was airing a historic sports event - the perfect game thrown by the Yankees' Don Larsen against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.

Aired it its entirety for the first time since its original broadcast, the game featured legendary baseball announcers Vin Scully and Mel Allen and was followed by a recent interview, with the ubiquitous Bob Costas talking with Larsen and Yogi Berra.

That's how the MLB Network arrived Thursday in 50 million U.S. homes.

(Locally, the network airs on channel 420 on Comcast's digital tier and on 213 on DirecTV. Schedules can be found on MLBNetwork.com.)

Among the features of the current 24-hour-a-day service (lots of repeat programming):

* Hot Stove, a 5 p.m. Monday-Friday news-oriented studio show.

* Numerous game films from Major League Baseball's huge archival library.

* Baseball, Ken Burns' award-winning 1994 public television series, which begins its lengthy run at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

* Baseball's Seasons (7 p.m. Wednesday), a documentary series set against the background of seasons that produced notable games and events.

* A live event at noon on Jan. 12 with the announcement of the new players voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

* A prime-time special (7 p.m.) celebrating the careers of those elected.

In February, MLB Network will premiere 30 Teams-30 Days, a monthlong look from baseball's training camps.

When the season begins, the signature show will be the nightly MLB Tonight. And fans can see 26 live games on Thursday nights.

Launching a new cable network during stressful economic times might seem a bit foolhardy to some.

But executives claim the network should be profitable within a year, thanks to strong advertising support and longtime deals with DirecTV and major cable operations Comcast, Time Warner and Cox.

The studios, located in Secaucus, N.J. (the former home of MSNBC), feature two appealing sets.

Studio 3 (in memory of Babe Ruth) is the "home plate" for all studio programs, while Studio 42 (Jackie Robinson) is a scaled-down version of a baseball field used by analysts to explain game situations.

Among the analysts and reporters: Tom Verducci, Harold Reynolds, Joe Magrane, Al Leiter and Barry Larkin.

Baseball fanatics should be pleased.

A THORNY ROSE BOWL: Keith Jackson - please come out of retirement. The viewers need you.

The 80-year-old Jackson, who often spiced his knowledgeable play-by-play work with funny - if syrupy - Southern quips, left ABC and Rose Bowl coverage following the 2006 Texas-Southern Cal classic.

Brent Musburger, Jackson's replacement, has long had the reputation of constantly using an old bag of superlatives in describing on-the-field action.

And he really opened the bag on New Year's Day.

After USC scored to take a 31-7 lead over Penn State before the half, Musburger yelled at his viewers: "They've dropped the hammer again, folks. I've seen this movie before!"

In Musburger's mind, the game was essentially over. Maybe that's why he spent much of the second half giving philosophical dissertations while not following what was happening on the field when Penn State was attempting to get back in the game.

Musburger treated the Rose Bowl like it was the setting for his personal TV talk show.

LOSS OF STATURE: I tired of Charles Barkley's TV studio act a couple of years ago.

I wonder if TNT is tiring of his off-camera antics?

First came the embarrassing gambling charges. Now he's been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in a case that, according to police in Scottsdale, Ariz., featured arrogant, sexual dialogue about his relationship with a female passenger he had just picked up.

Barkley, of course, could be found innocent. And his fans will say it's just a matter of Charles being Charles.

But if he's found guilty, TNT should hit him with some sort of major suspension.

If an NBA player or coach were involved in similar activities, some discipline would be administered.

Regardless of the DUI outcome, Barkley's critiques about players and coaches - and their lifestyles - already have lost their validity.

Dusty Saunders writes periodically about sports broadcasting. Contact him at tvtime@comcast.net.

Comments

  • January 5, 2009

    8 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    I disagree the launch of MLB was "perfect." Sure, the Larson perfect game was cool to see but they literally showed it 3 or 4 times a day everyday since the launch. I would have hoped they could have shown other games and not just shown the same classic game 4 times a day on a loop. Boring.

  • January 5, 2009

    4:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    gkb2008 writes:

    Old Dusty, Keith Jackson is not coming back. He has put himself out to pasture for good to enjoy his golden years. You would be wise to do the same thing. Your occasional columns are quite stale and mundane. With the looming death of the Rocky in the coming months, I guess we will all get our wish of seeing the end of your "sports journalism" thankfully. Enjoy Costa Rica, Dusty -- the weather, climate, and lifestyle is one that will fit you perfectly.

  • January 14, 2009

    12:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    troopermsu writes:

    Dusty, I very much enjoy your columns and hope you continue on with your writing (even if the Rocky goes under). I am 42 and I don't find your writing stale. I mostly agree with your opininons (except for Vern Lundquist and Bill Raftery). Keep up the great work.