At 3 p.m. Pacific Time this afternoon, the MLB Network is set to debut, billing itself as the first 24 hour, 7 days a week network devoted to baseball. The network is not a premium channel, but is instead included on most extended basic cable plans, so you might actually have it - and not know! (On Comcast Bay Area, it is #412)
You can also use the channel locator found here.
The first day's content recaps free agent signings and off-season player moves in a show they are calling "Hot Stove", and will be followed by the much-hyped first re-airing of Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. The network plans to both highlight players of the past, and showcase today's athletes, and will carry 26 regular season games.
Over the last few weeks, I have been watching the MLB Network a ton, considering it hadn't really launched yet. I saw highlight reels of famous fielding plays. I saw big game-ending home runs, from Dave Henderson to Joe Carter to deleted deleted in 1988. I watched highlights of Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Nolan Ryan, and more, until I realized I'd seen all the pre-taped program, and found myself watching the same footage over again.
I am both excited about this debut and nervous. Given how ESPN has become practically unwatchable for me, I have to hope the MLB network can give us the raw baseball stories and highlights I am looking for. I worry greatly that they won't have enough original content each day, and that the same East Coast bias we've seen elsewhere will be here as well. Seeing the replay of the 2004 World Series during this time cemented that concern...
The MLB Network says it will highlight all 30 teams in Spring Training. It will feature an interview with Yogi Berra, Larsen and Bob Costas after today's re-airing. This could be great, or it could be another place for us to complain if the A's are featured 28th, and seen only once or twice in the 26 games. But I am hopeful, and that's part of what being a sports fan is all about.
Go 2009! Go A's! and good luck... MLB.
See also: MLB.com MLB Network to debut in mere hours.
0 recs | 83 comments
My only complaint is thats not an HD chan.
Syphon - January 1, 2009
But when you go to Comcast's website
it specifically refers to “1400 hours of live programming and all in HD”. So hopefully by the time the season starts, Comcast will add the HD channel.
Soaker - January 1, 2009
Well I have Time Warner.
Hope they get the HD upgrade too.
Syphon - January 1, 2009
...that and the fact that when you follow the channel locator link...
…you get greeted with Bud’s ugly mug!
Given the baseball calendar, couldn’t Selig at least take a month off one winter and do some intensive facial-expression therapy? He’ll always be a horse’s ass, but he doesn’t have to always look like he just swallowed a gallon of lemon juice!
GreenNGoldSooner - January 1, 2009
I'm online
but I can only hear it, I can’t see it!! :( is it just my dumb computer again, or is anybody else having trouble?
#14fan - January 1, 2009
and now I can see it
but I can’t hear it. I hate my computer.
#14fan - January 1, 2009
OK now I can smell it, but I can't see or hear it
I really DO hate your computer.
Nico - January 1, 2009
Tomorrow's Front Page: MLB Network Early Review(?)
I’ve got nothing to write about for tomorrow’s front page. If anyone wants to write a quick review of today’s MLB Network programming, or previews of future shows on the channel, etc., feel free.
notsellingjeans - January 1, 2009
MLB Network
Man, this is great. I wonder if they’re going to televise live MLB games. I have really enjoyed the NBA TV and NFL Network channels.
Rated-R Superstar - January 1, 2009
Louis
Excellent post. I was actually in the midst of writing a post very similar to this. With MLB Channel, NHL Network and Fox Soccer Channel, I honestly have no need for the ESPN family of networks anymore except when they show one of my favorite teams.
NHL On the Fly every night is the best highlights show around because they essentially just let the highlights speak for themselves rather than trying to be cutesy and have catch phrases in the highlights. It’s a sports highlight show done PERFECTLY because they then come back and have the experts given their insight after the highlight is over. I hope MLB Network does something similar.
Tyler Bleszinski - January 1, 2009
Thanks, Blez.
I’ve been looking forward to this for a while. My 6 month old twins have seen 100% of the MLB Network’s programming thus far. I just hope I don’t end up being disappointed.
louismg - January 1, 2009
Thank you
for
deleted deleted. I still cannot stand to even see his name.I hate that porn ‘stache and all he stands for. Were I Michael Corleone, I would’ve given him a Moe Greene special.
Leopold Bloom - January 1, 2009
You're welcome.
I also saw Magglio vs. Huston too much. But what can you do? It happened. It’s history.
louismg - January 1, 2009
So long as they don't commence broadcast with the Kirk Gibson home run
stormtown - January 1, 2009
Please, please
Don’t mention
deleteddeleted’s name. Even after 20 years I want to shoot my TV every time someone decides we need to see that “highlight”.doctorK - January 1, 2009
Do you, Michael Corleone,
renounce Satan and all he stands for?
Leopold Bloom - January 1, 2009
Why should you get upset that Kirk Gibson homered off Rich Gossage in the 1984 World Series?
WaddellCanseco - January 1, 2009
I wanted the Padres to win that series
doctorK - January 2, 2009
U-verse is killing me.
No Fox Soccer Channel and no MLB Network yet :(
mikev - January 1, 2009
When I turn on channel 412, it just says
“Not authorized” – what’s up with that?
Nico - January 1, 2009
Nico
are you sure you didn’t tune into the goat-porn channel on accident?
mrod - January 1, 2009
I'm sure I didn't on accident
Nico - January 1, 2009
You might have a minimum package
and your cable or satellite provider might require some upgrade to get it.
Tyler Bleszinski - January 1, 2009
Boo!!!! Hiss!!!! Kill the ump!!!! Too many strickouts!!!!111
Just getting into shape for the season.
Nico - January 1, 2009
Having a minimum package is nothing to shout about.....
;>o
mrod - January 1, 2009
Women everywhere beg to disagree.
And some farm animals….or so I’m led to believe.
alox - January 2, 2009
ummmm....we do?
ZigFan31 - January 2, 2009
When will the Rickey Henderson special air?
I was watching the station alot the other day. They announced that they will have a special on Rickey Henderson soon, but don’t think I heard when it will air. Does anyone know?
Athletix Man - January 1, 2009
Almost as good
On Sunday, January 11th, they will be replaying games #2 & #4 of the 1989 ALCS vs Toronto. That’s pretty close to a Rickey Henderson special (2 HRs in one game, 4 SBs in the other).
Scanning through their schedule over the first two weeks, I wasn’t really impressed. I’d be really happy if I were a Red Sox fan, though. :-(
Monday Fan - January 1, 2009
oh god
so the launch this the first day i don’t have to go to work – do they never want me to get a new job or something???
alea iacta est - January 1, 2009
Don't worry - I'm your main reference
You won’t be working for a while.
Nico - January 1, 2009
wait, what
you’re my boss? so you’ve known i’ve been slacking off all this time?
so that’s why they didn’t renew my contract
alea iacta est - January 1, 2009
Studio talent
Opening night lineup
What is the deal with loading up on lefty arms? Is it a requirement?
vertig0 - January 1, 2009
And which of the others will Harold Reynolds sexually harass?
Nico - January 1, 2009
All of them....
if he can. Especially Victor.
I’m pleased they hired Reynolds. BBTN spiraled badly after he left.
alox - January 1, 2009
+1
Leopold Bloom - January 1, 2009
He didn't "leave"
WaddellCanseco - January 1, 2009
They're much more quirky
Tyler Bleszinski - January 1, 2009
Weak
I have astound and they dont have it.
Athletix Man - January 1, 2009
same
Cheezombie - January 1, 2009
It looks like Fox
As far as style goes, it reminds me of Fox Sunday NFL coverage. (so far)
louismg - January 1, 2009
Yeah
They should really take a hint from NHL Network on how to do this.
Tyler Bleszinski - January 1, 2009
Weird
Entered my zip code and it gave me channel #419 on Comcast…..but the station says “To Be Announced”
Masaryk - January 1, 2009
Maybe they have the day off ;-)
And someone forgot to hit the switch.
Tyler Bleszinski - January 1, 2009
Could be.
Blez, did you watch the Winter Classic today? Amazing game. I’m a huge Blackhawks fan, so despite the result of the game, I thought the game was incredible. Throwback jersey’s, Wrigley, the cold elements in play.
Masaryk - January 1, 2009
Watching the 1956 WS perfect game now.
It includes the 1956 commercials. Gillette razor blades for a buck.
louismg - January 1, 2009
That was pretty good
Over the next few days we’re in for a whole lot of Red Sox and replays of the World Series we just watched. Pretty disappointing.
Monday Fan - January 1, 2009
On the flip side...
Let’s say they’re getting the Red Sox stuff out of the way before the regular season and hope for more balance later.
louismg - January 1, 2009
From a marketing perspective...
MLB has it about right for its debut. East Coast bias is a fact of life we are going to have to live with, especially concerning baseball.
Still, I like the channel and the staff. The retro commercials are fantastic! I hope they keep those as a regular staple. Baseball lends itself to nostalgic strolls through the corridors of history. Reynolds is going to be the lynch pin with the broadcast crew. So far, I like it. But he better be careful around Hazel Mae. I’m certain she can kick his ass.
alox - January 2, 2009
I can live with a fair amount of East Coast bias
But there’s no need to turn it into another Bosox Fest right out of the gate. They already have NESN and ESPN fellating Red Sox Nation 24/7. There are plenty of other teams in the east they could put on. How about a game from the 1969 World Series (Mets vs. Orioles). I hope I will see Steve Carlton or Bob Gibson pitch a game on this channel before I see Curt Schilling’s iodine-stained, I mean blood-stained, sock.
Monday Fan - January 2, 2009
I think sometimes people need to just get over it
Flashfire - January 2, 2009
I have a Slingbox
and it won’t let me go to the channel =/
Zonis - January 1, 2009
Ditto.
Weak.
HigherPie - January 1, 2009
Watching this game is fun
I think I’m going to love this channel.
Flashfire - January 1, 2009
What we really need is
mlbnetworktorrents.com
That, or live streaming video from MLB Network itself. Unfortunately, I’m not holding my breath for either.
HigherPie - January 1, 2009
I hate Comcast
I have extended basic, movie packages, the sports package, the HD package and I can’t get this station. I get the NFL channel in HD – why can’t I get this channel? Ugh.
Wolverine - January 1, 2009
Did anyone local get the channel on Comcast?
I just got home from watching with Skigurl, who has DirectTV..and I get a “not authorized” message from Comcast.
I called and can’t reach them on phone..Any ideas?
LongTimeFan - January 1, 2009
I did chat with comcast
apparently I need the “digital preferred” service at an additional $16.95 per month.
I think I hate comcast too.
LongTimeFan - January 1, 2009
Wait'll you see the preferred digit I just gave Comcast.
Nico - January 1, 2009
How much did THAT cost?
LongTimeFan - January 1, 2009
It's free, all part of my "triple play" package
of fingers and other assorted body parts.
Nico - January 1, 2009
And here I was,
all set to hate Florida even more. It’s a Comcast thing, not a Florida thing.
Leopold Bloom - January 1, 2009
I did enjoy the Don Larsen perfect game broadcast.
It was pretty cool to see what baseball broadcasting was like back then. Even showed young Vin Scully during one of the half inning breaks.
Although… Gilette : 1956 : : FrankTV : 2008
FormerHuntsvilleStar - January 1, 2009
It's amazing to hear Vin Sculley
That guy is immortal. Him and Bill King.
louismg - January 1, 2009
Bill King....
not so much.
alox - January 2, 2009
fascinating broadcast
didn’t miss replay as much as seeing the pitches from a center field camera (WGN had used it by then but took a few years for the networks to catch on). Scully was very straight till the ninth when he got into the no-hitter thing without ever mentioning that or perfect game, he got a lot better by the time Koufax’s perfect game came along and he was free of all that superstition.
I really want my razor, double edged blades and pocket Baseball Encyclopedia from Gillette, all for $1! They say it’ll make me look younger!
vk - January 1, 2009
I don't get it
This a special network, owned and operated by MLB, and they’re only showing 24 games? Why the hell would a network devoted to only MLB not show a game a day at least?
DMOAS - January 1, 2009
Money
If they broadcast more of the locally-sourced games, it will cut into the revenue coming from MLB’s Extra Innings package. Eventually they’ll add more games as it becomes more profitable to do so.
vertig0 - January 1, 2009
I wasn't too excited about that either.
I believe the intent is to restart “game of the week”.
louismg - January 1, 2009
I'm enjoying this '56 WS game...
…it’s cool to see the difference in the feel of the game, the difference in the broadcast, etc.
I’m watching on DirecTV. Ch. 213. Non-HD. They do have an HD version, but I don’t subscribe for HD.
UncleLeo - January 1, 2009
What I'm really enjoying about this game...
…is the announcing. There’s no unnecessary dumb-ass banter and crap like hearing so-and-so was the 37th player in MLB history to wash his socks before his 3rd WS game. It’s just… BASEBALL!!! Yeah, baby!
UncleLeo - January 1, 2009
Besides the announcing
I like that the cameras are ALWAYS pointed toward the action on the field. The endless shots of Derek Jeter’s mom and dad sitting in the stands are nowhere to be found. (This was driving me nuts the other night, when I was trying to enjoy the exciting conclusion of a bowl game, and the director kept going to shots of Chase Daniel’s family.)
Soaker - January 1, 2009
Good call. Totally agree.
Now that the program is over I have a new level of respect for Don Larsen. Very humble. It’s clear that he knows he was a very mediocre pitcher who had a great moment.
UncleLeo - January 1, 2009
Yes! Yes!
And no cutting to a know-nothing dolly by the dugout to tell us about the conversation she had with Player X before the game.
Monday Fan - January 2, 2009
Yes!
It was like listening to the anti-Greg Poppa. All ballgame and no b.s.
Monday Fan - January 2, 2009
Thank you thank you thank you Louis
I had seen this coming, but to be honest, I assumed it was a pay channel and never read any info on it.
I am watching a replay of the Larsen perfect game right now. Very cool.
I have been really interested in old time baseball the past couple years.
Took my son to see the A’s at Yankee stadium this past season
Love that show on Fox Sports – ‘Baseballs Golden Age’
Been reading up on the old Philadelphia Athletics
and I have always been a collector – started collecting Mantle, Mays, Dimaggio, Williams cards…
So baseball 24 hours a day with some history mixed in…awesome.
Thanks again.
easyraider - January 1, 2009
You're very welcome.
Just saw Bob Geren and Rickey on the channel. I might never turn this off. It’s up to them to lose me. I love baseball… and wore an A’s shirt today. I’m ready.
louismg - January 1, 2009
My analysis of things so far
A bit of a slow start, as expected with a brand new network in its first day of official operation for the public, but I liked some of what I saw so far:
I’m really looking forward to their planned eight hours or so of live coverage a day during the regular season along with them planning to cut away to specific games and/or situations as they warrant. If you don’t have the Extra Innings package, that should be very nice. It’ll probably be good even for those of us that do. If they do their daily highlights anything like the way the NHL Network does it with their “On The Fly” program (which is just the broadcast highlights without any stupid catchphrases and so on) then analyze each game it’ll be great, so much better than SportsCenter just giving a game 15 seconds before moving on. This has the potential to pull people away from ESPN if they devote more time to all aspects of the sport.
It should be good to have the amount of discussion and debate it seems they have planned plus their studio setup looks good for allowing them to demonstrate various things instead of just talking about them. There are lots of little things they can go into detail about, such as Jackie Robinson stealing home so many times (19) in part because he got such great jumps thanks to pitchers having long windups. That’s something that has definitely changed in the game, along with things in those old broadcasts where pitchers don’t step off the mound and they go to the rosin bag right there, and hitters stay in the batter’s box.
I’m also hoping they can dig deep into the history of the sport and show a lot of old games like Larsen’s. It’ll be easy for them to replay things that are more recent, but it’d be great for any fan to be able to see an old, classic game that’s more than just a memorable highlight most of us have seen dozens of times already. They could definitely do more things that involve bringing in older players to talk about the games and so on.
As for the network itself, I’m a little split on one thing related to it: Bud Selig. I’d say he deserves a “thank you” for helping get it up and running, but at the same time he deserves a “what took you so long?” because the NBA, NFL and NHL all had their own networks up and running before MLB.
Flashfire - January 1, 2009
The Clemente piece was very good.
I’ve been augmenting the MLB Network coverage with recording the Baseball-related biographies on SportsCentury on ESPN Classic. Even my wife recognized Roy Campanella during the 1956 perfect game, thanks to seeing his bio last week. Watching pieces like this and that of Clemente tonight are just gold. There’s something about the purity of old-time historic baseball that makes me more sentimental than almost anything else. I can’t wait to see Rickey, and tonight, I set up season passes for many of the MLB shows. Should be a lot of fun.
Thanks for your detailed, solid, writeup.
louismg - January 2, 2009
way up here in sonoma county, not going to receive it on channel 412 comcast till about jan 19. according to comcast when i called last week after seeing ch 412 identifying itself as mlb network.. if you have the sports package, will be included.
oakath - January 2, 2009
Is this happening for everybody?
I’ve been trying to watch, but it cuts to black so much that it’s unwatchable. (Comcast, Brentwood, CA)
gdubb925 - January 2, 2009
No. Reception is great.
I recorded 5 hours of Inside the Moments and just saw Rickey steal #119. No problems.
louismg - January 2, 2009
A pox on Dish Network
There’s no MLB Network for those of us on Dish Network. Grump, grump, grump…
CV Jim - January 5, 2009
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