The American Spectator : Rookie of the Year

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Rookie of the Year

By Aaron Goldstein on 12.31.09 @ 6:05AM

The MLB Network debuted last January 1. Baseball will never be the same again.

As a diehard baseball fan a small part of me dreads the final out of the World Series.

Although there is satisfaction in knowing who wins the World Series there is invariably a let down. Of course, when the New York Yankees won it all last November there was already a let down. But even in the two seasons where it meant a trophy for the Boston Red Sox it also meant there would be no more baseball until the following spring. I would then proceed to go through baseball withdrawal with visions of hanging curveballs dancing through my head.

Now to be sure I like other sports. I watch the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. But football doesn't hold nearly the same interest for me as baseball. I need baseball 365 days a year and 366 days during leap years.

Of course, one can enjoy baseball without watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio. There has been a lot written about the national pastime and believe me I have read more than my share of books on baseball. There are also baseball statistics going back to the 19th century. When someone like me absolutely needs to know who led the Washington Senators in wins in 1959 a website like baseballreference.com is there with the answer. (Camilo Pascual led the Senators with 17 wins that season.)

When I am really desperate I can always play Derek Jeter Pro Baseball 2005 on my cell phone.

But still there was always something missing. My off season appetite for baseball could not be satiated. That is until a year ago.

On January 1, 2009, the MLB Network made its debut. Headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey (the former home of MSNBC), the MLB Network is exactly as advertised --Our national pastime all the time. Satiation has been achieved. So no more Derek Jeter Pro Baseball.

In fact, I did not realize I had the MLB Network in my cable package until the 2009 World Baseball Classic. That got the ball jumping. During the regular season, with instant access to all 30 parks, the MLB Network could do "a peek in" on any game at any time. Sometimes history is made. For example, I saw Vladimir Guerrero hit his 400th career home run. If not for the MLB Network I would have most likely learned about it on ESPN's SportsCenter.

Most of the MLB Network's on air personnel are former major league players. Dan Plesac, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, Harold Reynolds, Sean Casey, Al Leiter, Joe Magrane and perhaps-soon-to-be Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin are frequent on air contributors. All of them possess a tremendous knowledge and passion for the game.

But as my roommate asked me, "What can you watch on the MLB Network now that the season is over?" Well, aside from Hazel Mae there's plenty. Here's a short list of the classic games I have watched over the past few weeks:

• St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson striking out 17 Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series.

• Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan throwing his 7^th and final no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1991.

• Kansas City Royals third baseman George Brett going absolutely berserk after having his home run nullified during the infamous Pine Tar Game at Yankee Stadium in 1983.

• The 1982 All-Star Game at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.

• Game 7 of the 1979 World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Baltimore Orioles to win their last World Series title.

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topics:
Major League Baseball

About the Author

Aaron Goldstein writes from Boston, Massachusetts.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (22) | Leave a comment

donserge| 12.31.09 @ 8:34AM

I grew up loving baseball (and in second place, a not too distant football), however I already see baseball going the way of football where TV controls most aspects of the game i.e. when timeouts occur, how many timeouts, length of game, when the game is played, not to mention the disaster called 'instant replay', among other factors. People, sports participants and yes, even umpires make mistakes...life on earth is not perfect and never will be no matter how much we wish it to be.

JimH| 12.31.09 @ 9:09AM

Baseball is something to watch when there is no football.

Shannon| 1.2.10 @ 11:14AM

The best thing about baseball is the "story" of baseball. Football, basketball, no sport can touch the rich history, the story of baseball.

baldwin| 12.31.09 @ 9:47AM

Loved the replay of the 1971 All Star game (Reggie hits one on the roof of the old Tiger Stadium). I love the view from directly behind home plate as the pitcher throws the ball. It is as if you are batting. I don't know why they do not have that view in today's game (haven't really had it for the last 30 years). That Senator team ('59) had some pretty good power hitters with Killebrew, Bob Allison, and Jim Lemon. Also on the team was a then 19 year old and future MVP (1965) Zolio Versalles (also the first hispanic for lack of a better term) to win the award. Also on that team was 20 year old Jim 'kitty' Kaat a fine left handed pitcher and 3 time 20 game winner. Ah yes baseball got to love it.

JohnD| 12.31.09 @ 10:46AM

A few weeks ago I saw the old movie "The Jackie Robinson Story" (starring Jackie Robinson as Jackie Robinson) on MLB Network and it was intersting how they depicted segregation without resorting to modern day victimhood themes, and how the actor who played Branch Rickey spoke of integrating the Majors in a Patriotic and Democratic terms. Shows how far we have regressed on the issue of Civil Rights.

I have also seen my beloved Baltimore Orioles replayed in the World Series appearances of my childhood in 1969, 1970, and 1971, the latter with Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally, Pat Dobson, and Jim Palmer all winning 20 games, slick fielding Brooks Robinson and Mark Belanger in the infield, and Buford, Blair and Frank Robinson in the OF - hands down the best team in MLB history, without dispute) .

Sadly baltimore has since been kicked out of the Major Leagues (as they were in 1900 and 1903) by poor MLB management that allows grotesque inequities in market size and spending to prevent any meaningful competition. Only a sick person would watch a $250 million payroll team compete with a $60 million team. Like watching a heavyweight champion fight an infant. Exhibition, not competition, and a grotesque one at that.

KellyY| 12.31.09 @ 11:19AM

I've lived in the Denver area all my life and was thrilled to see the Rockies go to the Series in 07. Since the MLB network started, I haven't been able to find Rockies games on local TV. I missed every game of the 09 season. I'm neither happy nor pleased about the MLB network.

ykw| 1.4.10 @ 12:36AM

The MLB channel has zip, zero, nada to do with your local team's local television rights. All it does is provide a supplement to what is otherwise available, bringing games from outside the region to your home. Local telecasts air regardless of what this channel airs.

And, if you were really interested in discovering who holds those rights, a simple trip to the Rockies' official website would have told you that the games are split between KTVD 20 (in the Denver metro) and FSN Rocky Mountain (in the wider mountain region, including CO, WY, UT, ID and parts of other states in the area).

NorthernRebel| 12.31.09 @ 12:26PM

Mr. Goldstein:

Every Red Sox fan should read Bill Simmons' book, "Now I Can Finally Die A happy Man"

It is the funniest, most well informed book on 2004. Seven king, and a gentleman named O'Krent (sp) also wrote a wonderful book documenting our forst World Series victory in 86 years.

Richard Baker| 12.31.09 @ 3:15PM

Bill Mazeroski of the Pittsburgh Pirates hitting the Home Run in the 1960 World Series to defeat the Yankees. What a shock to everyone.

Ron Adkins| 1.1.10 @ 12:08AM

Right on Mr. Goldstein! MLB Network is the best. I recently watched the '99 Reds -Mets one game playoff. Reds lost again. Damn!

Sam| 1.1.10 @ 12:27AM

MLB Network is great because, unlike ESPN, it actually covers teams outside of the Red Sox, Yankeess, and Mets.

I get tired of west coast teams getting shafted when the best pitching is in our division- the NL West. Go Padres!

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Chauvinist Pig| 1.1.10 @ 11:17AM

The ball sports have an advantage that prevents chickification of competetition:testosterone. Now the women are being sneaked into professional sports via the back door:officiating. If you can not compete with them to beat them;rule them.

Mark| 1.1.10 @ 8:16PM

I just found the MLB channel a few days ago and have enjoyed watching some of the games from long ago. Dodgers/Yanks. Detroit/St. Louis. I find memory does not always match up with what actually happened nonetheless I have thouroughly enjoyed it.

Elvin| 1.4.10 @ 12:47AM

I enjoy watching the old games on MLB and seeing how many errors and bonehead plays they made back then. Golden Era of Baseball? Bullhockey. For example, in the 1959 World Series I saw a Yankee relief pitcher fail to cover first base properly and it cost them the Series. Today's announcers would have crucified the guy. Also, the outfielder's throws seem wild and out of control to me. The fields look to be in terrible shape.
Great stuff, though. I enjoy it a lot.

Durwood| 1.4.10 @ 3:47AM

The best thing about baseball is that it is over.

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