MLB Network

[Clem Fandango]

I put this on for a few minutes this past weekend. They were showing some Red Sox documentary and I saw the intro. I turned the channel, then went back about 15 minutes later, they were showing a black screen with white writing showing the title of the show, duration and that type of info, then restarted the documentary. Either it was a 15 minute show they re-aired repeatedly, or it was a glitch.

 

I don't really care for all that old-timey stuff though. I'm interested in watching once the game begin.

 

They've had a flurry of technical difficulties I've noticed. I don't mind the old timey documentaries or anything. I don't like the Red Sox documentaries though. As if we haven't heard enough about their 2004 championship enough. Christ, shut up already.

 

And the re-airing of the 2008 world series is nice and all, but I have no interest in watching it. I'm sure when the season gets back going it will pick up and have some good programming on there.

 

I think a fun program to have on there would be a fan chat program of sorts, where fans call in to discuss news stories in give their opinions of it. Basically talk radio on the teevee. Might give fans an incentive to watch and call in and voice their opinion

[Mugged By Fluffy]

I've been watching it since it started. This is awesome! So far the only gripe is Mitch Williams. What is he doing there?

Anyone else catch last night's table discussion of the AL Central?

 

Wild Thing Williams spend a few minutes talking about Cleveland's new closer Kerry Wood. Says his mechanics are still all screwed up, and if he'd get a higher leg kick and use his legs more he'd get an even more explosive fastball and would not risk himself to injury.

 

lmao that Williams with the worst mechanics I have ever seen would be saying anything about anyone's pitching delivery.

[Guest]

I merged the two MLB Network threads.

[Derwood]

I merged the two MLB Network threads.

 

:thumbsup:

[Clem Fandango]

I've been watching it since it started. This is awesome! So far the only gripe is Mitch Williams. What is he doing there?

Anyone else catch last night's table discussion of the AL Central?

 

Wild Thing Williams spend a few minutes talking about Cleveland's new closer Kerry Wood. Says his mechanics are still all screwed up, and if he'd get a higher leg kick and use his legs more he'd get an even more explosive fastball and would not risk himself to injury.

 

lmao that Williams with the worst mechanics I have ever seen would be saying anything about anyone's pitching delivery.

 

Yeah, everything Mitch Williams said was stupid.

 

"Why isn't Ben Sheets getting any offers?"

"He left injured"

"Yes, but his track record of quality pitching has been one of the best of any pitcher on the market"

"He ended the season injured"

"Yes, Mitch, we get it, but plenty if players have been injured and have banked on their ability. His ability is arguably the best of any pitcher on the market, why has he not at least received any offers?"

"That's easy, he ended the season injured"

 

STFU Mitch Williams. I hate baseball players as analysts. Especially stupid stubborn ones

[jersey cubs fan]

I think a fun program to have on there would be a fan chat program of sorts, where fans call in to discuss news stories in give their opinions of it. Basically talk radio on the teevee. Might give fans an incentive to watch and call in and voice their opinion

 

That sounds horrible.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, everything Mitch Williams said was stupid.

 

"Why isn't Ben Sheets getting any offers?"

"He left injured"

"Yes, but his track record of quality pitching has been one of the best of any pitcher on the market"

"He ended the season injured"

"Yes, Mitch, we get it, but plenty if players have been injured and have banked on their ability. His ability is arguably the best of any pitcher on the market, why has he not at least received any offers?"

"That's easy, he ended the season injured"

 

STFU Mitch Williams. I hate baseball players as analysts. Especially stupid stubborn ones

 

Was Mitch the guy asking why Sheets hasn't gotten an offer or the guy pointing out that he was injured? I'd say it's pretty obvious that in this dead market with tons of supply out and virtually no demand, oft-injured pitchers like Sheets who ended the season injured would have a hard time getting offers. Why would somebody be perplexed about Sheets not getting offers?

[Clem Fandango]

I think a fun program to have on there would be a fan chat program of sorts, where fans call in to discuss news stories in give their opinions of it. Basically talk radio on the teevee. Might give fans an incentive to watch and call in and voice their opinion

 

That sounds horrible.

 

It'd make for good television, and it'd reel in viewers to try and get on the air. Sure, it's their own network, and they don't really have competition, but ratings are still important. No point in having a network if no one will tune in to your programming. Might as well do some trial and error and see what works. I think a formatted show like that would bring viewers in. Maybe even take opinios from emails and message boards. Which again, sounds awful, but I think it'd be a decent show in terms of ratings and viewer numbers.

 

Was Mitch the guy asking why Sheets hasn't gotten an offer or the guy pointing out that he was injured? I'd say it's pretty obvious that in this dead market with tons of supply out and virtually no demand, oft-injured pitchers like Sheets who ended the season injured would have a hard time getting offers. Why would somebody be perplexed about Sheets not getting offers?

 

Mitch wasn't asking why, he was saying "He's injured, that's why" but he wasn't giving any real further analysis other than "he's injured". They were clearly trying to bait it for further discussion. I understand why the market for Sheets is dead right now. Finances are tight and he DOES have an injury history. But they brought up a good point that Burnett also has an injury history and made $80 mil, but Sheets is getting absolutely no offers.

 

Over the last 3 years Burnett has averaged 27 starts a year (rounded up from 26.6). Sheets has averaged 24 starts over 3 years. They were trying to say that they both have equally sketchy injury histories, and Sheets is arguably a much better pitcher than Burnett, but Sheets gets no offers and Burnett gets $80 million. And all Mitch Williams had to offer up as to why was "He was injured at the end of the year". They were trying to see why he isn't getting lowball offers at the very least. That's kind of the debate they were trying to get out of the analysts and all Williams kept coming up with is "He's injured", not bringing anything really new to the table (or intelligent for that matter). He's the one with the greasy looking mullet-esque hairstyle. Kinda like Barry Melrose

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

I merged the two MLB Network threads.

 

I'm cool with that Raisin. When I initially posted, I forgot to check this forum first. Thanks for combining the 2 threads.

[imb]

phew, close call

[shnsajax]

Yeah, everything Mitch Williams said was stupid.

 

"Why isn't Ben Sheets getting any offers?"

"He left injured"

"Yes, but his track record of quality pitching has been one of the best of any pitcher on the market"

"He ended the season injured"

"Yes, Mitch, we get it, but plenty if players have been injured and have banked on their ability. His ability is arguably the best of any pitcher on the market, why has he not at least received any offers?"

"That's easy, he ended the season injured"

 

STFU Mitch Williams. I hate baseball players as analysts. Especially stupid stubborn ones

 

Was Mitch the guy asking why Sheets hasn't gotten an offer or the guy pointing out that he was injured? I'd say it's pretty obvious that in this dead market with tons of supply out and virtually no demand, oft-injured pitchers like Sheets who ended the season injured would have a hard time getting offers. Why would somebody be perplexed about Sheets not getting offers?

 

I have no problem with Mitch being this straight forward, and he is right. The other guy was being an idiot for asking the same question, when the answer is very simple. I don't want a 5 minute conversation about going back and forth about crap that doesn't matter. Sheets will get a contract, but at the value teams want to pay him. Offers right now are for players with higher market value, or role players to fill the back end of the roster.

[OleMissCub]

The "Legendary Moments" documentary they've been showing is bonerrific. Whoever put that together did a damn good job.

[Abe Frohman]

This channel kicks ass. I wonder how long it is going to be until they pick up Kurkjian and Peter Gammons. I wonder what their contracts are like with ESPN?

 

I don't know what the fuss with Mitch Williams is about. His point on why Sheets wasn't getting offers isn't that hard to agree with: Burnett finished strong while Sheets finished hurt. Who knows if he'll be back, and how will he perform. I'm sure he'll sign somewhere soon.

 

Because Scott Boras said the Market is actually "fertile" this close to Spring Training. Just ask Kenny Lofton and Sammy Sosa.

 

Great channel, and that "Hot Stove" show they have keeps me going. Way better than BBTN.

[karenmac]

I've been loving it since they started broadcasting too...I'm hoping that they devote some of their many hours available to minor league coverage. I *know* it's the MLB network, not the MILB network, but think they'd really be losing opportunity not to be talking about the AFL, the various winter leagues and minor league prospects on a regular basis.

[falcon]

I agree....I hope they will cover the minor league teams and players ( who's hot, who's not,etc). When they cover spring training I hope they venture over to cover the minor league players also.

[Irrelevant Dude]

I'm a Dish Network subscriber and also have basic Comcast cable along with my internet service. I was thinking about upgrading to digital cable service in order to get MLB Network, but the Comcast rep told me that it is only on the Digital Classic tier and above, which would cost $75/month. So much for MLB Network being on the basic tier...

[cubswin2009]

Anyone know if Comcast in Chicago is planning on adding MLB Network in HD? That would be awesome.

[jersey cubs fan]

For the 2nd time this week I stumbled across a Cubs/Pirates game from 2001. I looked it up on baseballreference.com last time.

 

Skinny Barry is up and struck out looking with a chance to win in extras.

[jersey cubs fan]

Dawson hit a granny! Cubs up 12-7 in the bottom of 11. No way they blow this, right?

[Derwood]

I enjoy the Hot Stove show even thought I disagree with a lot of what they say.

 

There was a great special on the '86 playoffs with interview clips from guys like Darryl Strawberry, Don Sutton and Wally Joyner. I hope they do more of these specials with the player perspective

[NCCubFan]

Dawson hit a granny! Cubs up 12-7 in the bottom of 11. No way they blow this, right?

I recorded the game and watched it today. Ah, the good ole days of Gary Scott and Erik Pappas.

[Derwood]

it's amazing that only 20 years ago pitchers were throwing complete games left and right. hard to believe that the world of pitching has changed that much in two decades. we complained about the abuse put on Wood and Prior's arms at young ages, but Dwight Gooden pitched 10 innings in a playoff game (at age 21) and no one blinked

[Guest]

it's amazing that only 20 years ago pitchers were throwing complete games left and right. hard to believe that the world of pitching has changed that much in two decades. we complained about the abuse put on Wood and Prior's arms at young ages, but Dwight Gooden pitched 10 innings in a playoff game (at age 21) and no one blinked

 

According to the box score, Gooden only threw 73 pitches in the 10 innings. That's probably why nobody complained. Not saying this disproves your point, just that in that specific case it's not a big deal.

[Derwood]

it's amazing that only 20 years ago pitchers were throwing complete games left and right. hard to believe that the world of pitching has changed that much in two decades. we complained about the abuse put on Wood and Prior's arms at young ages, but Dwight Gooden pitched 10 innings in a playoff game (at age 21) and no one blinked

 

According to the box score, Gooden only threw 73 pitches in the 10 innings. That's probably why nobody complained. Not saying this disproves your point, just that in that specific case it's not a big deal.

 

the opposing pitcher threw 9 innings

 

and Gooden threw 250 innings with 12 CG's at age 21

[CubinNY]

it's amazing that only 20 years ago pitchers were throwing complete games left and right. hard to believe that the world of pitching has changed that much in two decades. we complained about the abuse put on Wood and Prior's arms at young ages, but Dwight Gooden pitched 10 innings in a playoff game (at age 21) and no one blinked

 

According to the box score, Gooden only threw 73 pitches in the 10 innings. That's probably why nobody complained. Not saying this disproves your point, just that in that specific case it's not a big deal.

 

the opposing pitcher threw 9 innings

 

and Gooden threw 250 innings with 12 CG's at age 21

It's more about pitches/inning than innings pitched.