MLB Network Top 20 Games Last 50 Years

[batmagadanleadoff]

Gwreck wrote: Strange but true: MLB Network was doing a "Top 15 Games of the Decade" countdown tonight. Yet of the 13 games nominated for the "50 best of the last 50 years," only 9 of them made their show tonight.

None of the top 50 games of the last 50 years are required to have been played in the last decade. In theory. What did confuse me is why there were only 13 nominations to fill 50 slots.

[G-Fafif]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Strange but true: MLB Network was doing a "Top 15 Games of the Decade" countdown tonight. Yet of the 13 games nominated for the "50 best of the last 50 years," only 9 of them made their show tonight. None of the top 50 games of the last 50 years are required to have been played in the last decade. In theory. What did confuse me is why there were only 13 nominations to fill 50 slots.

I do believe 'Wreck refers to the 13 games among the Top 50 of the Past 50 years that were played in the 2000s, and how four of them weren't, somehow, among the Top 15 of the 2000s (featured in last night's show).

[Gwreck]

Yes, that's right. Left a word or two out in that sentence.

---

Apparently game #20 premieres on the MLB Network on Monday. For whatever reason, I see they are showing this program for 1 hour, and it will be "hosted" by Verducci and Costas.

Actual email sent to the folks at MLB Network re: this decision

When reviewing the broadcast information for the first game in the "Top 20 Games of the Last 50 Years" program, I note that the broadcast of game #20 on Monday is only allotted one hour, and that the broadcast will be "hosted" by Tom Verducci and Bob Costas. This decision is baffling. Given that this feature was specifically limited to the past fifty years, in large part because of the availability of video, it defies logic that the MLB network is not broadcasting these games in their entirety. It could not be that broadcast hours are being saved for more important games; these are the top twenty of the past fifty years. It's not as if the MLB Network has access to *better* games to broadcast. Nor are there any current games to broadcast; it's January, and Spring Training doesn't start for another 6 weeks. This decision calls into question the very reason for the existence of the MLB network. If the games themselves aren't going to be broadcast, why bother having a network devoted to the sport? As great as the "MLB Tonight" and "Hot Stove Live" programs are, there is only so much talking that can be done about the game without actually *showing* one or two...or twenty of the games, particularly if there's a conveniently available list of what the twenty best ones are.

[HahnSolo]

Did they ever specifically say they would show the games in their entirety?

[Gwreck]

Not that I found. My complaint is not one of a broken promise but rather of unfulfilled potential.

[HahnSolo]

I hear you. I suspect they might not have full video of all 20 games.

[G-Fafif]

No. 20, as chosen by you the fans, is airing RIGHT NOW! It's Phillies 23 Cubs 22 from 1979, presented as a chummy chat among Costas, Verducci and Larry Bowa while game video (with some original PBP) airs.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Q: Who was it who woke up in the morning and said, "You know, this project has got to have Verducci."

A: Derek Jeter. That's who.

[Gwreck]

In fairness: Verducci was actually reasonably good in his commentary. A little too much Costas. Overall, better than I was expecting. Still wish they would broadcast the game in its entirety (say, from 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM or something).

[Frayed Knot]

Verducci also works for the network so, as one of only a handful of one-time sports journalists NOT currently on the payroll of ESPN, they might as well put him to use while they're paying him.

[G-Fafif]

No. 19 (as I understand it -- I didn't see it at 8 and it reairs at 11) is the deciding game of the 2003 NLDS between the Giants and Marlins, the one in which Pudge Rodriguez tags J.T. Snow at the plate to end it. A fan-fucking-tastic game as I recall it.

[G-Fafif]

No. 18: The Phillies-Astros battle to the bone for the 1980 pennant (Game 5). Greatest Best-of-Five NLCS ever (certainly of a non-Met nature).

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'm surprised that's as high as all that.

It has very much to do with me being 13, but what a post-season that was. Even with all that artficial turf.

[Gwreck]

Interestingly, they upped the broadcast time for this one to 90 minutes. They were showing a good portion of the original broadcast (Keith Jackson - Howard Cosell - Don Drysdale is your broadcast team) but a little too much of Costas and guest Larry Bowa talking over them.

[G-Fafif]

Verducci and Costas side by side look like Wayland Flowers and Madam.

[G-Fafif]

17. Game 4, 2004 ALCS, the game in which the Red Sox saved humanity

I've noticed the parameters of selection have changed within the MLB Network's fine print. They said at first that you the fans were voting to select the Top 20. Now it's framed as their expert panel and you, too. I wonder if the fan vote was considered not up to snuff. I kind of figured it wasn't "the fans" who voted the Marlins-Giants NLDS Game 4 from 2003 into the Top 20.

[HahnSolo]

G-Fafif wrote: 17. Game 4, 2004 ALCS, the game in which the Red Sox saved humanity I've noticed the parameters of selection have changed within the MLB Network's fine print. They said at first that you the fans were voting to select the Top 20. Now it's framed as their expert panel and you, too. I wonder if the fan vote was considered not up to snuff. I kind of figured it wasn't "the fans" who voted the Marlins-Giants NLDS Game 4 from 2003 into the Top 20.

With MLBN's Kevin Millar joining Verducci and Costas. You know, Mr. Cowboy Up's schtick is somewhat tolerable in small doses, but a full hour of him had me almost rooting for Dave Roberts to be called out. Almost.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

HahnSolo wrote: G-Fafif wrote: 17. Game 4, 2004 ALCS, the game in which the Red Sox saved humanity I've noticed the parameters of selection have changed within the MLB Network's fine print. They said at first that you the fans were voting to select the Top 20. Now it's framed as their expert panel and you, too. I wonder if the fan vote was considered not up to snuff. I kind of figured it wasn't "the fans" who voted the Marlins-Giants NLDS Game 4 from 2003 into the Top 20. With MLBN's Kevin Millar joining Verducci and Costas. You know, Mr. Cowboy Up's schtick is somewhat tolerable in small doses, but a full hour of him had me almost rooting for Dave Roberts to be called out. Almost.

LOL

[G-Fafif]

16. Twins top Tigers in tussle to determine AL Central winner, 2009.

An absolute death match, but most memorable for Chip Caray screwing every pooch he could find.

[G-Fafif]

15. Mariners save baseball in Seattle, get Buck Showalter fired, 1995 ALDS. Great and exciting ending as MFYs go down in flames but I have to admit that even as I enjoyed it, I was thinking this wouldn't put an end to evil, it would just delay it. And thus came 1996.

[Gwreck]

Still waiting for some Met content on this series (I figure we get one game in the top 5, plus probably one other representation in the list somewhere).

They did have David Cone (starter in that game for the MFYs) mentioning how Davey affected his pitching style. Also commenting on the game was Lou Piniella, and the broadcast expanded to 90 minutes, all of which were good additions.

[Gwreck]

#14 debuted tonight: 1993 World Series Game 6 (the Joe Carter game). Mitch Williams and Joe Carter joined Costas and Verducci for the commentary on this one, which I was not a fan of. Williams reminds me of Joe Morgan's style of analysis, in that it never fails to come off as if you're listening to a pompous blowhard. In some aspects, Williams is less annoying, perhaps because there hasn't been enough familiarity to build sufficent contempt. In some aspects, however, Williams is far more annoying, as listening to the pomposity of a marginal player is much more grating than when it comes from an all-time great.

Carter was much more reserved, and I got the impression he just wanted to keep asking Mitch "where did that ball land again?" every time Williams went off.

Lots of Met content in the game, with future Mets Olerud, Alomar and Henderson and former Met Tony Fernandez all in the Jays starting lineup. Al Leiter also makes a relief appearance.
On the Phillies side, you have Dave West and Roger Mason in relief, and the much-more-familiar Lenny Dykstra as the leadoff batter.

--

I enjoy the suspense of each game on the countdown being revealed one at a time, so it was a surprise to see a promo for next week's game (#13) already -- it will be 1997 World Series Game 7, also known as Al Leiter's last start for the Marlins before being traded to the Mets.

[G-Fafif]

Funny, I found Carter and Williams two class acts in the act of recalling it, even if one wore a Phillies uniform at the time.

Which didn't seem so bad to me for one October night, I must confess.

Meanwhile, somebody hits a come-from-behind home run to win a World Series and it's No. 14. What they picked for the Top 13 must be pure gold!

(As for next week, they've done some previewing of coming attractions along the way; kind of selective about building suspense.)

[G-Fafif]

Al Leiter, as special guest talking head for Game No. 13 (an easy get since he works there), fell into his role as Florida Marlin a little too easily for my tastes. I think I'm still steamed at him for his nodding in another MLB Network segment when somebody referred to him growing up an MFY fan.

Can't argue with an eleventh-inning resolution to the seventh game of the World Series, yet I recall the '97 Fall Classic as fairly uncompelling until Game Six. The weather had been miserable in Cleveland, the pitching was spotty for the first five games and I was rooting -- out of some combination of National League allegiance and consolation that if the Marlins won, we could say we finished a mere four games behind the eventual world champions -- for a team I'd been rooting against all summer. Revisiting those Marlins reminded me how much like a fantasy team they were constructed. Yet when they got to Renteria singling Counsell in with the winner, I found myself momentarily exhilarated all over again, just as I was (momentarily) in October 1997.

Most interesting tidbit: Wayne Huizenga told Jim Leyland he could make a phone call and have Muhammad Ali fly in to wish the Marlins well before Game Seven. Leyland told Huizenga to not do that, we're trying to win a baseball game here.

[Guest Edgy DC]

The 1997 series was awful. Weather and Fox kept every game lasting nine hours.

That 11th inning ending was a mercy killing.

[G-Fafif]

Edgy DC wrote: The 1997 series was awful. Weather and Fox kept every game lasting nine hours. That 11th inning ending was a mercy killing.

It was an NBC series.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, I figured that was coming.

I nonethlees recall deep dark AM-hour finsihes and freezing rain.

[G-Fafif]

Whoever's telecasting it, the World Series could use some seventh games (unless the Mets are ahead or behind 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2, obviously). Seven-Gamers, by decade, in the past 70 years:

2002, 2001
1997, 1991
1987, 1986, 1985, 1982
1979, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1971
1968, 1967, 1965, 1964, 1962, 1960
1958, 1957, 1956, 1955, 1952
1947, 1946, 1945, 1940

What's with the endangered species progression? Randomness at work? Or is everybody tired after three rounds of playoffs?

FWIW, we went 18 years, from 1959 to 1977, without a six-game World Series and then had four in five years -- then went ten years without one before the next four went exactly six games.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'm not sure that we'll ever see another more dramatic 3-year postseason span than we did in '85-'87. (Considering the Cards losses flanking '86, I'm damn sure that we'll never see a more dramatically-satisfying conclusion.)

[Frayed Knot]

G-Fafif wrote: Edgy DC wrote: The 1997 series was awful. Weather and Fox kept every game lasting nine hours. That 11th inning ending was a mercy killing. It was an NBC series.

What I remember most from NBC's WS coverage that year was that, in true Dick Ebersol style, they chose Jim Leyland as their 'let's make it all about him' personality.
Even with the numbers of stars on both squads (although some were still stars-in-the-making) their whole focus was on Leyland the middle-class (and often lower) baseball lifer who had his chances with the early '90s Pirates but kept falling just short.