New Year's Day Launch Of The MLB Network

Belated Happy New Year to all. News is pretty slow right now. I'm still waiting on my belated Christmas present - Derek Lowe - to arrive. I know mail can be slower this time of year due to the sheer volume, but c'mon, it's a week (now eight days) late.

Latest news, as posted by LongIslandMetFan - is that Lowe was 'unimpressed' with the Mets initial offer. I really don't believe Boras that other 'mystery' teams are in the fray. This is an old Boras move. Omar needs to be patient, yes, but he also needs to be wary of possible late run teams that might swoop in at the end, and sign Lowe. The Braves are notorious for such moves. According to the NY Post, the Yankees could be the 'mystery' team if Pettite isn't re-signed.

Onto the debut of the MLB Network. I saw bits 'n' pieces when it began at 6:00 PM. For a debut, it was pretty slick; the debate on whether you would sign Manny Ramirez - between Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, and Harold Reynolds had merit; the discussion on Jackie Robinson's stealing of home plate in the 1955 World Series; and the complete broadcast of Don Larson's perfect game in the 1956 World Series - for the first time since October 8, 1956.

I watched Larson's perfect game in it's entirety. Bob Costas was outstanding in his interview (live) with both Yogi Berra and Don Larson in the faux baseball field (I believe it was Studio 42) - throughout the game. It was difficult for me, because my mother's side of the family were die hard Brooklyn Dodger fans. I have a library of Brooklyn Dodger books, the 1941 and 1947 Brooklyn Dodger World Series yearbooks, and a 1947 World Series ticket (from Ebbets Field) autographed by none other than Pee Wee Reese. These are treasures that are priceless to me. That being said, it was difficult to stomach the perfect game.

From a historical standpoint, it was outstanding. I have a bachelor's degree in radio and television production, so seeing the one camera behind homeplate and the game on Kinescope, was truly wonderful. It was great seeing some wonderful defensive plays without the luxury of instant replay. Thankfully, I was able to see Pee Wee Reese's double play (picking Billy Martin off first base) by simply rewinding my DVR. It was real cool, in an anachronistic sort of way. Some other defensive gems were a diving catch by Duke Snider in CF, a long running catch by
Mickey Mantle, and a nice grab by Pee Wee Reese going into left field, to make the catch in front of Sandy Amoros.

The two most interesting things I found yesterday was:

• When Costas asked Larson if he exhaled when Mantle made the catch, and he said Mickey wasn't that great of a CF, but he had great speed.


• And when they split the screen and showed Larson live watching his called third strike to Dale Mitchell, which completed the perfect game. He looked like he might break down (but didn't).

All-in-all, it was a real nice debut for the MLB network, which was broadcast to more homes than any other network in television history.

If they replay the perfect game again (as they did throughout the night and early morning hours), I strongly suggest you watch it. Although it might not be Mets related, it is historical. Well, I take that back, the Mets are strongly related to the Brooklyn Dodgers, so maybe it is Mets related. You can be the judge.