I am really, really glad for the MLB Network

[terrisus]

It's so nice to have a place where I can go to actually hear about Baseball.
 
Since we got a DVR, I've taken to recording things that I want to watch, so I can fast forward through commercials and stuff that doesn't interest me and such. This has proven really helpful in particular with SportsCenter, where I can fast forward past Football, Basketball, Hockey, Rugby, Badminton, and whatever else they have on there that doesn't interest me, so that I can actually get to Baseball.
 
This morning I had recorded an hour of SportsCenter. Here we are, in the next-to-last day of the regular season, with playoff races still going on, a crazy wild card situation, Andy Pettitte's last game (for those who care about that sort of thing), and all sorts of interesting stuff going on.
 
During the entire 60 minutes of SportsCenter, there was a grand total of 0 seconds devoted to Baseball.
 
Now, I guess something of note had happened for some college football team or some nonsense, but still, they found time to show other football games and whatnot too. But, not a single second for Baseball.
 
I knew when the MLB Network was first announced that I would love it. It's great having something where I can turn it on, any time of day or night, and know there will be something Baseball-related on it (much better than being stuck watching infomercials 15 years ago). But still, it's sad that other channels have gotten to this point.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

ESPN has this thing called Baseball Tonight which they devote to baseball.

 

[terrisus]

ESPN has this thing called Baseball Tonight which they devote to baseball.

 
This is true, and that's great, but, I never can seem to figure out when it's actually on. I suppose that's more on me though.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

This is true, and that's great, but, I never can seem to figure out when it's actually on. I suppose that's more on me though.

Didn't you mention you have DVR?

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

 
This is true, and that's great, but, I never can seem to figure out when it's actually on. I suppose that's more on me though.

Tonight: 7-8:30 ESPN2, 8:30-9 ESPN
Tomorrow: 10-11PM ESPN2

 

[terrisus]

Didn't you mention you have DVR?

 
Indeed, as I said that's mostly on me, and I'll probably spend more time trying to figure it out next season. There never seems to be much rhyme or reason to it that I've noticed though, and it's definitely not on all that often (as opposed to the hours upon hours of SportsCenter - or the stuff on MLB Network).

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

if you have a DVR, you most likely can set a series recording and record all the new episodes. Not sure how effective it is for sports though.
 
If you have comcast, feel free to PM and I'll walk you through it if needed.
(But you're right, MLBN is better)

 

[terrisus]

AT&T U-Verse.
And, certainly there's plenty to make fun of me for not having worked this out sooner (only had it for a year - before that it was recording stuff on a VCR for me). Still though, mostly just disgusted at SportsCenter this morning.

 

[ItOnceWasMyLife]

MLB has been awesome, especially once the college football season starts, because after that, you can forgot about mlb on espn.  Having said that, they'd get a lot more love from me if they'd can Reynolds.  My God!

 

[riboflav]

MLB has been awesome, especially once the college football season starts, because after that, you can forgot about mlb on espn.  Having said that, they'd get a lot more love from me if they'd can Reynolds.  My God!

 
And Mitch Williams and Larry Bowa and Dan Plesac and ....
 
I mean MLBN is better but it still has a long way to go. They still have a lot of old-school stooges who just spout off traditional baseball cliches at the expense of credible analysis. 

 

[JimBoSox9]

Agree with all but Mitch Williams. He's a wonderful lunatic.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

ESPN has this thing called Baseball Tonight which they devote to baseball.

 

They've had BBTN for 20+ years (I remember when Olbermann hosted it) and they still devoted time to the game on SportsCenter.
 
ESPN is about their own properties, and SportsCenter is their platform to big up things they have the rights to.

 

[Big Papa Smurph]

 
And Mitch Williams and Larry Bowa and Dan Plesac and ....
 
I mean MLBN is better but it still has a long way to go. They still have a lot of old-school stooges who just spout off traditional baseball cliches at the expense of credible analysis. 

 
This twitter acount is full of actual quotes from the talking heads on the MLB Network. I highly recommend people check out the entire timeline. One of my favorite recent ones is: https://twitter.com/HeardOnMLBT/status/383717049760894976

 

[InsideTheParker]

Actually Baseball Tonight can be difficult to DVRecord. If a game or other event is running late, BBTN will be switched to another of the ESPN stations. Then it might move back when that event is over. It's annoying. Also, on Sunday nights, preceding its games, BBTN is heavily about the teams in the upcoming game. It is not a good place to get information about other baseball teams.
 
The best things about MLBN are 1(Brian Kenny, formerly of ESPN and 2) the live look-ins at ongoing games. I routinely look there during the NESN game commercials.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

ESPN has this thing called Baseball Tonight which they devote to baseball.

 
They also have shows called College Football Scoreboard and College Football Final which they devote to college football, and Primetime which they devote to the NFL.  I don't think Baseball Tonight's existence should excuse the flagship show, one that is supposed to be a highlight show for all sports, from at least mentioning baseball once or twice.
 
But my guess is that since they don't have postseason baseball contracts, they're going to focus on the league(s) with which they do have contracts.  Sunday night baseball is over for the year, so baseball gets relegated to NHL territory on SC.  In other words, if they have 30 seconds to fill, they might show highlights.  Otherwise, they're happy to ignore it.  It's not anything new that they cater to and use SC to promote the leagues/sports they carry, but they've become a lot less inclined to keep up the appearance of neutrality and fairness in how they divide airtime.

 

[terrisus]

 
In other words, if they have 30 seconds to fill, they might show highlights.  Otherwise, they're happy to ignore it.  It's not anything new that they cater to and use SC to promote the leagues/sports they carry, but they've become a lot less inclined to keep up the appearance of neutrality and fairness in how they divide airtime.

 
Yeah, there's a difference between at least a few minutes of highlights to pretend like they care, and literally nothing at all.
As you said, seems they've kind of given up caring on that.

 

[riboflav]

 
This twitter acount is full of actual quotes from the talking heads on the MLB Network. I highly recommend people check out the entire timeline. One of my favorite recent ones is: https://twitter.com/HeardOnMLBT/status/383717049760894976

 
Dude, you've made my day.
 
Reynolds: "Not bunting is like telling an NFL team they can't throw deep. The bunt is an offensive weapon." 

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

So I turned to MLB Network last night as soon as I heard about the Fielder trade, and they were showing Major League (or was it Major League II?).  I went back to ESPNEWS, and when they started repeating themselves (10 minutes?  5?) went back to MLB Network because I figured for sure they had assembled some folks to discuss this huge trade.
 
I was wrong.
 
Disappointing.
 
This AM I turned MLB Network on in time to see them discussing Josh Johnson to the Padres.  That was on Tuesday, wasn't it?

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

MLB Network's hot stove transaction coverage has been disappointing to say the least. You'd think that a network with a show called Hot Stove would be on top of this stuff.

 

[edoug]

they showed this on Hot Stove.

http://extramustard.si.com/2013/09/26/hunter-pence-infomercial-weird-mechanics-kids-youth-baseball-camp-hunters-hitters/

 

[nattysez]

I don't think MLB considers itself a destination for off-season "hot news." They seem happy to let others fill that space.  I suspect that the cost of having reporters and analysts at the ready to hop on the air to break down big news is simply not worthwhile to them.  

 

[canderson]

I wish, if they insist on playing movies, they stop playing The Scout and ML 2 constantly.

 

[E5 Yaz]

If you get a chance, the "Kevin's Highlights" special of oddball moments of the year was a good way to waste an hour

 

[Granite Sox]

Hall of Fame debate this evening with Costas, Ron Darling, Ken Rosenthal, Joel Sherman, Harold Reynolds, and Chris Russo. Obviously a wide range of experience and credibility, but still a decent listen. Costas keeping things moving with respect to getting thoughts/opinions on a broad number of candidates.

Reynolds is incapable of a coherent argument for or against anyone. I'm a little surprised by the number of players who are getting 'Yes' votes, but are more or less "compilers" as Francesa would say (e.g. Biggio). Outside of Maddux/Glavine/Thomas, Darling is a 'Yes' for EVERYONE, and Russo is a 'No' for everyone. Sherman and Rosenthal are supplying the numbers and 'arguments'.

 

[ifmanis5]

Totally enjoying this.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

That was really fun.  Except for the constant idiocy of Reynolds.

 

[ifmanis5]

That was really fun.  Except for the constant idiocy of Reynolds.

So predictable that his choice for best player not in The Hall was Steve Garvey. Typical big market starfucking Harold Reynolds.

 

[edoug]

Just saw a commercial. "Mad Dog" Chris Russo is coming to the MLB Network.
 
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2014/march/chris-russo-has-an-mlb-network-show-debuting-on-opening-day.html

 

[adrury8]

On a less optimistic note, has anyone else tried to sign up for MLB Extra Innings. I did through Cablevision and was told by the phone rep that they weren't selling it yet. I emailed Cablevision and got a note back saying MLB is still negotiating with the cable companies.
 
I recall that we went through this back in 2007 and the stalemate went a few days into the regular season. The issue got a lot of coverage in the press that year. John Kerry's office got involved and the sides reached a deal - a seven-year contract that has now expired.
 
But this year, I'm amazed that this has received absolutely no press coverage. It affects every fan whose favorite team is out of their market. I'm a RS fan in southwestern Ct. and worried that these greedy pigs won't reach a deal and I won't get to see the games in 2014.

 

[InsideTheParker]

DirecTV has a price of $197.94 on its website. They say this is for 2014 & includes mlb.TV. I wonder if that's any indication of what the cable companies will settle on.

 

[CodPiece XL]

I  just called my cable company, Cox communications, and the girl I spoke to didn't have a clue, however, she was nice enough to talk to a supervisor who confirmed that if anyone purchases Extra Innings it will include MLBTV......nice! You just log in to MLBTV and it will ask for your cable provider customer ID. It's not set up yet as far as I can see....
 
I then wanted to confirm with MLBTV that this was the case, I was put through to some guy who could barely speak English who said he had no information and  to call the cable provider....
 
Anyway, I also found out I can get a discount because my wife works for an MLB team....so....I should get the best of both worlds for less than I paid last year for MLBTV. The only drawback is if the Red Sox are crap ( I cancelled in July of 2012 because it was like watching a train wreck) I will be out of pocket for the full amount.
 
Edit: Crap.....MLB discount is only for MLBTV ...not Extra Innings...wankers.

 

[terrisus]

So, if you're getting MLB.tv with your cable/satellite package, are they still making you deal with blackouts on MLB.tv anyway?

 

[CodPiece XL]

So, if you're getting MLB.tv with your cable/satellite package, are they still making you deal with blackouts on MLB.tv anyway?

 
 
My assumption would be yes, but I really don't know, have they lifted blackout restrictions?  I've always used MLBTV and in 2012 I could get around blackouts by using my VPN and change countries. Last year, it didn't work, I can't remember why, maybe it was based on billing address. But I was pissed off on Saturdays and Fox baseball.

 

[payne8567]

 
 
My assumption would be yes, but I really don't know, have they lifted blackout restrictions?  I've always used MLBTV and in 2012 I could get around blackouts by using my VPN and change countries. Last year, it didn't work, I can't remember why, maybe it was based on billing address. But I was pissed off on Saturdays and Fox baseball.

 
Which is why I don't feel bad about using free internet streams under those circumstances. The blackout rules do nothing but hurt the average fan attempting to watch his/her favorite team. If they(MLB/FOX) feel they can alienate fans up to once a week by providing no simple access to watch our favorite teams without repercussion, they deserve lower ratings on those days IMO. It's pathetic that one can watch a game on a tablet at a hotel pool completely wireless, for example, yet with +$100 cable/satellite bills we can't pick which game to watch in our homes between 1-7pm EST? I know blackout rules have been harped on ad nauseam, yet here we are, in the same repeating scenario year after year. 

 

[j-man]

i love MLB Network blows ESPN away

 

[AlNipper49]

Adventure, Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things.

 

[InsideTheParker]

Watched for a while this afternoon. Every time Harold Reynolds speaks I have to mute. Otherwise, it was fun, if silly, to hear the predictions of who will win the AL East. Verducci chose our guys.

 

[InsideTheParker]

i love MLB Network blows ESPN away

Usually, I'd agree, but tonight so far Baseball Tonight has had some really interesting features. They followed Manny Machado through his rehab and even into the doctor's office. It was interesting to hear how the doctors talk to the athletes.

 

[InsideTheParker]

I love, love, love the comic-book graphics on Quick Pitch. They really rev up the visual interest. 

 

[soxhop411]

Not a fan of this High Heat show

 

[CodPiece XL]

I know this is not MLBTV, I'm waiting for the free week of Extra Innings to end before subscribing.  I am watching the O's- Red Sox game on Extra Innings, it's the Baltimore feed but it's not in HD, it's a lousy picture and I have a pretty decent HD TV. Is it such a big deal to get all games on Extra Innings in HD and not a select few? Am I missing something?

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

mlb.tv was awful on the PS4 and iPad tonight. I'm pretty pissed.

 

[riboflav]

How much of the sentiment expressed in the title of this thread is really just based on Brian Kenny? I like that he challenges all the old baseball "insiders" and their thinking but Brain K. is just one man and the rest of the personalities (unless I'm missing someone) on MLB Network just represent the same old tired thinking and banal cliches.
 
EDIT: TBF, Jay Jaffe ain't bad

 

[terrisus]

How much of the sentiment expressed in the title of this thread is really just based on Brian Kenny? I like that he challenges all the old baseball "insiders" and their thinking but Brain K. is just one man and the rest of the personalities (unless I'm missing someone) on MLB Network just represent the same old tired thinking and banal cliches.
 
EDIT: TBF, Jay Jaffe ain't bad

 
 
For me at least, it's not just him specifically, but more the "having a channel to turn to where there is always going to be something Baseball-related on."
Sure, some of the stuff on there is either mediocre or bad (in particular, I don't don't like the talk show/radio show/call-in show/debates types of things very much), but still.

 

[mabrowndog]

Chad Finn ‏@GlobeChadFinn
Ryan Dempster joins MLB Network as an analyst. He'll debut tomorrow before and during Cubs-Dbacks game at 2 p.m.

 

[InsideTheParker]

So, last night, reviewing the games, the immortal Harold Reynolds introduced highlights of Angels at Yankees by saying, "Close your eyes, you don't want to see this." Huh? What about Angels fans? What about me? He is so pro-NYY that he imagines that the sight of their asses being kicked is painful to all of us. Now, he could have just meant it was an ugly game. But what's ugly to some is beautiful to others. 

 

[JimBoSox9]

Mitch William is, against my will, is slowly but surely winning me over.
 
(Comparing Trout to Tulo)
Host: If he played another 32 games, Tulo would blow Trout away in home runs
Williams: If I had control, I'd have saved a lot more games.

 

[Big Papa Smurph]

Mitch William is, against my will, is slowly but surely winning me over.
 
(Comparing Trout to Tulo)
Host: If he played another 32 games, Tulo would blow Trout away in home runs
Williams: If I had control, I'd have saved a lot more games.

 
I get what Mitch is saying and he is right about Tulo and Trout, but Mitch doesn't believe Tulo is better than J.J. Hardy. (he said this last year)
https://twitter.com/HeardOnMLBT/status/400784014060969985
 
 
Also that Mark Trumbo is a better hitter than Goldschmidt.
https://twitter.com/HeardOnMLBT/status/413545978453438465
 
 
And there's way more gold on that twitter account if you haven't seen it already.

 

[JimBoSox9]

Don't get me wrong: he spouts logically bent opinions like he used to spout wild pitches. I just.....don't mind.

 

[InsideTheParker]

Interesting roundtable on the "epidemic" of Tommy John surgeries on right now.
Dr. Andrews coming up after the commercial.