I wanted to take a moment to compliment the MLB Network. To date they have exceeded my expectations. Albeit cable and television networks have made me set the bar low, but regardless the product has been outstanding.

You have seen a diverse variety of games and specials ranging from an early April Pirates-Cubs game in 1991, all the way to the 2008 World Series. I have enjoyed the “season reviews”, especially the look back at 1995. You forget how fun that season was, despite the fact the game was returning from the strike. You could do a half hour on the Yankees- Seattle series.

What has been particularly impressive is the studio analysis. Victor Rojas, Barry Larkin, Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter, and John Hart have all complemented each other well. The interactive nature of the guest, for example Rickey Henderson giving best practices on how to steal third base, is something that you don’t see anywhere else. I enjoyed the conversation about the manager/GM relationship they did with Bobby Valentine and John Hart. This is the kind of conversation that even the most diehard baseball fan will take away a key learning. It gives you a better understand as to why things happen, versus screaming about what should happen. Sports reporting needs to evolve past the “in your face”, shallow coverage we have come to expect. The MLB Network seems to be trying to do that with their product.

I could see a day in the not so distant future where MLB Network is the destination for baseball, leaving the scraps for the networks and ESPN. If they continue to grow the product, why watch Baseball Tonight? Outside of the Mets/Yankees post game show, why watch SNY/YES? Why can’t MLB take the advertising monies for themselves? Why license their product to networks (like FOX) that do a lousy job of promoting it effectively? Of course, they are not anywhere near that, but it’s not too far in the future.

The challenge will be to continue to diversify the programming outside of “Hot Stove”. If we are still seeing the Pirates/Cubs from 1991 from months from now, then I will reserve the right to complain. I am sure the league has tons of interesting games to air where they can make it a monthly rotation.

Regardless, I have high hopes for future of “Hot Stove” and the nightly coverage of live baseball action. They picked a team of reporters that are articulate, knowledgeable, and leave their egos at the door. Unlike ESPN, it’s about the game and players, not the announcer.
In a sea of ESPN, SNY, YES, and network sports coverage I have finally found someone that gets it: the MLB Network. Now if we can just fix the coin flip and World Series home advantage scenario I might have nothing bad to say about the league. Now that might be asking too much.

Tags: Al Leiter, ESPN, MLB Network, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Rickey Henderson, SNY, YES