It looks like those at the MLB Network are feverishly working towards their Jan 1st launch at 6pm. As mentioned before, the new network will debut with Don Larsen’s perfect game. They will have two studios: Studio 3 to honor Babe Ruth, the other Studio 42 for Jackie Robinson.

According to Best, Studio 42 will look like a mini stadium so hosts Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds can do live demonstrations. What intrigues me the most is how they will be covering all 30 major league camps with programming this spring. You will also get a healthy dose of the World Baseball Classic. The best part is starting at 6pm each night, you will get running highlights and live looks. This should ensure that all of us don’t have to suffer at the hands of ESPN coverage any longer.

On the local side, of my main criticisms of both YES and SNY has been the dearth of original programming. Both understandably put all the money into their Mets and Yankees programming. No fan can argue with both teams pre and post game coverage. YES has “Centerstage”, which I think is a great program. Their issue is the constant “Yankee propaganda” machine they punch out. I once called it the baseball version of “Al-Jazeera”, but that was in my younger, harsher years. The Yankees and YES do a great job with their programming, it’s just not very objective. SNY, on the other hand, really doesn’t have much to offer. Nothing against guys like Brandon Tierney, Chris Carlin, Scottie Ferrell and Adam Schein, but screaming across a table as something I got over during my teenage years. Again, the network doesn’t understand what fans are looking for.

It’s possible that the MLB network could fill the void that both local networks seems to have been unable to. The good news is MLB offered ownership stakes to all the cable giants. This ensures 90% distribution and those with Cablevision, Direc TV, and Verizon will have it from day one.

When it comes to reporting the news with a “fair and balanced” tone, the MLB Network is talking a good game. This is something that we all have to just “wait and see” before we judge it. Regardless, this is great news for 2009. Since ESPN and the mainstream networks are incapable of putting an intelligent product out for the fans, it now is in the hands of the league itself. So far, I am happy with what I am hearing. Kudos to Neil Best for another great column.

Tags: MLB Network, Neil Best, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Newsday, SNY, YES