MLB Network

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:23 pm

I expected a lot of repeats on the MLB Network. It is the off season and heck any kind of baseball from any era is alright with me.

Maybe there won't be many in agreement with me, but MLB Tonight is a nightmare to watch. The host is a straight man for Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Sean Casey, or whoever else is on the show that day. He lobs in slo-pitches and the former jocks fall all over themselves when anything is deemed remotely funny. I swear these guys watched the end of local newscast and took their fake smiles and laughs to an even higher level. I've watched the show a few times, I haven't laughed yet, these guys use laughter as a filler.

Content? Stuff that you and I already know, mostly geared for the occasional or remedial fan.

It is almost like watching four Tim McCarver's, the world has enough problems, we do not need four Tim McCarver's.

Today, the broadcast introduced PECOTA and asked each analyst if PECOTA was a good gauge for predicting player outcomes. To a man, they all would rather trust the old scout in the stands, railing against relying on numbers in a computer. I thought to myself, what a bunch of hypocrites! You think they ever brought that old fart in to help negotiate those contracts? I'll bet those numbers meant something to them then.

Anyway, I tuned in to see an informative baseball show and came away thinking that I just saw a baseball version of "The View".

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:16 pm

Back in January, I started calling the show "Cold Stove." Sorry to see that things haven't improved in the last 6 weeks.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:21 pm

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Maybe there won't be many in agreement with me, but MLB Tonight is a nightmare to watch. The host is a straight man for Harold Reynolds, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Sean Casey, or whoever else is on the show that day. Does "Huggy" Reynolds ever provide good insight, about anything? Watch Al Leiter's face when Reynolds starts talking -- the absolute height of comedy.

JohnZ · Post by **JohnZ** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:22 pm

I can't watch the station for more than 5 minutes without wanting to hurl.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:32 am

Call me the next time you see ANY half hour sports show that goes the entire time without cracking stupid jokes. They are more clown than reporter. NHL and Golf may pull that off once in a while, but NFL, MLB, Nascar and NBA are pathetic.

~Lance

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:21 am

Originally posted by sportsbettingman:

Call me the next time you see ANY half hour sports show that goes the entire time without cracking stupid jokes. They are more clown than reporter. NHL and Golf may pull that off once in a while, but NFL, MLB, Nascar and NBA are pathetic.

~Lance Usually ESPN News fills the bill.

I have no idea why these producers believe we want to see these jocks make dumbass remarks and watch them laugh over themselves for five minutes.

I know it started with Fox NFL pregame show and they pulled it off pretty well for awhile, then they got stale. Since then the producers think that is the formula. Roone Arledge, we need you back.

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:29 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

quote:Originally posted by sportsbettingman:

Call me the next time you see ANY half hour sports show that goes the entire time without cracking stupid jokes. They are more clown than reporter. NHL and Golf may pull that off once in a while, but NFL, MLB, Nascar and NBA are pathetic.

~Lance Usually ESPN News fills the bill.

I have no idea why these producers believe we want to see these jocks make dumbass remarks and watch them laugh over themselves for five minutes.

I know it started with Fox NFL pregame show and they pulled it off pretty well for awhile, then they got stale. Since then the producers think that is the formula. Roone Arledge, we need you back. [/QUOTE]I agree...Fox pregame made big money, but even they find it wearing to fake smile and fake laughs so often now. You can see it on their faces.

ESPN News is too much of a rumour spreader and gossip column. They also repeat the same stuff far too much.

~Lance

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:47 am

The studio shows are weak.

Harold Reynolds tries to make at least one comment every show to remind people that he is the veteran studio guy.

Al Leiter; he’s a good analyst and tries to stay on topic but looks and sounds goofy when trying to trade barbs with Reynolds

Barry Larkin; I like what he has to say about the game itself but he seems to shy away from player criticism. (he may still be too close to the players)

Mitch Williams;

I do like watching some of the classic games. The other day they had Cubs – Cards from 1984, a great game for any Cub and Sandberg fan.

The Prime 9 show is interesting, I’ve had several debates with friends over the lists that the show has created, which is the purpose of the show.

The studio has the big baseball card-like photos with stats behind the hosts, they should rotate the players. Cliff Lee and Geo Soto have been hanging over Reynolds shoulder for 5 weeks.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:06 am

Damn i like the show.I also like Harold Reynolds i think he holds his own to the espn guy's.I like the 30 teams in 30 day's when i can catch it and theyve done a great job going over the World baseball event.I didnt realize Japan has another starter who might be the best pitcher in baseball.I also love watching the old world seris going back in time watching Willie ,Hank,Mantle,and many other's.So much history i didnt have a clue about.The negro leagues are great stories what those guy's had to go through.And to hear some of the lengendery annoucers like Kubek and Curt Gowdy.Right now there showing a Mark Fiddy game.Remember that year talking to the baseball and winning games.

Sorry guys but love the show.

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:16 am

Originally posted by eddiejag:

Right now there showing a Mark Fiddy game.Remember that year talking to the baseball and winning games.

Sorry guys but love the show. I'm watching also. I love the opening of the game when the announcer rips Holtzman for not signing a contract and then references Ron Leflore as a guy that "beat a prison rap" to play center field.

RedRyder · Post by **RedRyder** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:46 am

Not a fan of their studio show for reasons already stated by others, BUT, I am into watching live spring training games!

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:33 am

Originally posted by RedRyder:

Not a fan of their studio show for reasons already stated by others, BUT, I am into watching live spring training games! Now THAT is awesome.

eddiejag · Post by **eddiejag** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:31 am

Originally posted by rucrew2:

quote:Originally posted by eddiejag:

Right now there showing a Mark Fiddy game.Remember that year talking to the baseball and winning games.

Sorry guys but love the show. I'm watching also. I love the opening of the game when the announcer rips Holtzman for not signing a contract and then references Ron Leflore as a guy that "beat a prison rap" to play center field. [/QUOTE]Rucrew2 I couldnt believe when i heard Leflore beat a prison rap.You would never hear an announcer just come out and say that.Fidrych looked great hitting 93 with a lot of movement.I didnt realize he had stuff that good.Great to go in timeand watch these game's.

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:46 am

Originally posted by eddiejag:

quote:Originally posted by rucrew2:

quote:Originally posted by eddiejag:

Right now there showing a Mark Fiddy game.Remember that year talking to the baseball and winning games.

Sorry guys but love the show. I'm watching also. I love the opening of the game when the announcer rips Holtzman for not signing a contract and then references Ron Leflore as a guy that "beat a prison rap" to play center field. [/QUOTE]Rucrew2 I couldnt believe when i heard Leflore beat a prison rap.You would never hear an announcer just come out and say that.Fidrych looked great hitting 93 with a lot of movement.I didnt realize he had stuff that good.Great to go in timeand watch these game's. [/QUOTE]I also like the screen pop-up's during the game that give facts or trivia type stuff. After Rusty Staub hit a homer, they had a pop-up that said Staub and Ty Cobb were the only players in MLB history to hit home runs before age 20 and after age 40.

[ February 25, 2009, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: rucrew2 ]