I’ve talked about MLB Network a few times before, but I just got done telling my wife one of the reasons I enjoy watching the MLB Tonight show.
I’m watching the Seattle Mariners version of “30 Teams in 30 Days”, and the topic on the table was Ken Griffey Jr and how he would impact the 2009 edition of the Mariners. The guys talking at the table were Matt Vasgergian (sp!), Harold Reynolds, Sean Casey, & John Hart. As I’m sure you know, Reynolds played on the Mariners when Griffey came up.
The bit I really enjoyed was when Harold Reynolds was talking about Griffey, and the graphic that came up was one from Ken Griffey’s debut with the Mariners. Leading off that game was Reynolds, who the graphic said went 0-4 with a strikeout. That graphic came up, and Reynolds stopped mid sentence and said “What is this?”, which prompted Matt V to say “And Griffey batted behind a guy who went 0-4”. The other guys started laughing. It’s that kind of sense of humor between the show and it’s on screen talent makes this work for me. I laughed out loud when Reynolds said “What is this?” Hahahahaha.
The other thing I wanted to say was about the Rangers’ John Hart. Like most Rangers fans we were overjoyed when Hart was removed from the Texas GM job and booted upstairs. Since that happened, you almost never heard about or from him (the latter being the same behaviour as when he WAS the GM). Anyway, he’s usually the guy who comments on what team management’s perspective is on whatever the story at hand is. I have to say, I’ve rather enjoyed him as a commentator on MLB Network. There was some talk that he might be a candidate for the vacant GM job in Washington DC. If that happens, he’s off MLBN for sure, which would I feel be a loss for the commentating crew.
What would NOT be a loss is the departure of Sean Casey. He’s the first guy they’ve put on the network that I wished would not come back. I’d rather Al Leiter stay there all the time. I’ve enjoyed the heck out of Al for the “former player” perspective.
If you’re not regularly watching MLB Network, you should be. I don’t think I’ve watched more than 10 minutes of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight since BBTN has come back on the air early in spring training. Watch it.