MLB Network-what do you like or dislike?

it's not espn

it’s not espn
it’s not espn
it’s not espn
it’s not espn
it’s not espn
it’s not espn
it’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espnit’s not espn…

it’s not espn.

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
The Wrestler

by Longhorn on Jan 14, 2009 11:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

For some

That’s all the more reason to like it.

-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by baseballismyboyfriend on Jan 14, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait...

…is that what you were saying? I think I got confused. :-)

-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

by baseballismyboyfriend on Jan 14, 2009 11:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yes that what he meant

though I think the espn hate has gotten pretty silly.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DSheppard on Jan 15, 2009 12:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dislike that it's on cable.

I’m going to start doing car washes to raise money for my cable fund, forget rasing money for important causes.

You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader

by iorange555 on Jan 14, 2009 11:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If you tell people its for a good cause...

you’ll get more money quicker!

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jan 15, 2009 7:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Rojas and Reynolds.

Hopefully, they’ll start showing full games from when I grew up. I’d love to see the ‘86 playoffs again. From Hendu’s HR off Moore(RIP) to Hatcher’s extra inning tying HR against the Mets. Old All-Star games. ’75 World Series. On and on.

I’d also like to see somebody from Baseball America with updates/stories on prospects.
Overall though, I’m very stoked about the possibilities.

by scoop16 on Jan 14, 2009 11:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rojas and Reynolds

Victor is doing a pretty good job of controlling the set, etc. I’m pretty impressed with him up to this point. I’ve always sort of liked Reynolds. I’ve seen a decent amount of hate on Reynolds around here in the past, but honestly… he is so much better than guys like Kruk and the other fools on ESPN.

You might have trouble getting BA folks on the network, because they’re pretty closely tied to espn.com, etc. But maybe I’m wrong.

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jan 15, 2009 7:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They played the '86 season over and over last night.

Went through everything you said and alot more. Pretty awesome stuff.

by bioaggie on Jan 15, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I know I'll love it in the season for the daily game coverage

And the hot stove has been very good.

But what I’ve liked most so far is the historical stuff. The prime 9’s with video/pics of players Ive mostly only glanced at a statsheet for. As well as Ken Burn’s Baseball re-airing, which I had never seen. Obviously thats a major history lesson that I’m enjoying a lot.

Baseball seasons has been good too. I was too young in ’95 to pay attention to the rest of the league, very interesting to get a perspective on it a season at a time, it was pretty interesting.

I don’t have any real criticism yet, other than get me my HD.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DSheppard on Jan 14, 2009 11:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like the historical stuff, too

I’ve always wanted to see the Ken Burns documentary so I’m really enjoying that. I like the Prime Nines and the Seasons shows. They’re a lot better than I was expecting. MLB Network’s airing a show about the Negro Leagues next week that should be pretty interesting. I also really liked seeing the Don Larsen perfect game, too. That was really cool.

I rewatched Josh Hamilton in the Home Run Derby, which was fun. I like Hot Stove pretty much. Sometimes it annoys me but not nearly as much as Baseball Tonight does.

by melanie on Jan 15, 2009 1:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

loving the ken burns documentary

I think they do a great job of bringing in people around baseball, although I could careless about john hart.

I don’t know if I missed it, buy I want to see the Negro leagues documentary. Some really great baseball players from those leagues I probably won’t know but they were as good as anyone.

Wait 'til the year after next

by NothinG on Jan 15, 2009 7:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I turned it on at lunch today and

John Hart was on.

-1

www.mavsmoneyball.com

by Wes Cox on Jan 14, 2009 11:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I prefer him in that role.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 15, 2009 9:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

I didn’t think of it like that.

www.mavsmoneyball.com

by Wes Cox on Jan 16, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

excellent

The best thing Selig has ever done. Hot Stove is awesome. They talk in depth and don’t try to fit 10 topics into 20 seconds. They have players and GMs doing analysis. Maybe they can interview some agents and owners so we can get their perspectives. I caught a little of Ken Burn’s show yesterday. I am going to have to go out and see if I can buy it somewhere. Definitely something a baseball fanatic should have. Mitch Williams has surprised me. I was expecting the Bill Lee type of personality. I can’t wait untill ST and the season start. ESPN should just concede and cancel their BBTN show.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year

by RangerMad on Jan 15, 2009 12:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The best thing Selig has ever done.

But doesn’t the fact that all the other major sports beat him to it by years and years negate the goodness of him doing it? Even the NHL has had a dedicated channel for a while now, and that league is run by one-eyed infants.

We should’ve had this channel years ago.

Saying Selig deserves props for doing this is like saying Brain Thomas deserves praise for ceasing to wet the bed every night. I mean, it’s good that he’s finally stopped, but he’s like 47. He should’ve stopped a long time ago.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 15, 2009 3:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

MLB Network is Free

As far as I can tell, I don’t have to call my cable provider to ask them to add the MLB Network (have not be watching). The NFL Network is an add-on. They only, to my knowledge, carry an exclusive game on Thursdays, and I assume this is to entice people to subscribe to the network. The problem is, the last two Patriot games that fell on a Thursday night were broadcast on the local ABC affiliate (Boston area). If I were a Patriots fan, I see no reason to add the NFL Network. Selig might have been the last one to the party, but he seems to have gotten it right with respect to price.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 15, 2009 7:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

NFL Network is included with the most basic directtv package. I get the NBA and NHL networks as part of the same package, though that might be from my HD programming package, I haven't checked.

So the NFL Network is not an add-on for a lot of people.

Or, if it is, it’s an add-on in the sense that ESPN is an add-on, cause it comes as part of the same basic package that gives you the NFL network.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 15, 2009 8:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Comcast

I have Comcast, and don’t have HD. Maybe Comcast an exception to the norm. Who knows. I’ve have not checked because I don’t really care enough about the NFL, NHL, etc.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 15, 2009 8:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yah, I don't really care either, but I was flipping around one day and noticed I get both. (I haven't checked for NBA TV, but I assume I get it, too.)

And you should really hop on board the HD trolly, ECH.

If it’s at all financially viable for you at this point in your life, I mean.

Watching sports in HD is truly a pleasure.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 15, 2009 8:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

HD

Like I said in another posting, watching tv in SD makes the baby jesus cry.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jan 15, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dislike that it's not showing here.

C’mon DirecTV LA. Step up!

LOL Sorry the Sooners will score more that 14. - boomer1

by venturafearsnolan on Jan 15, 2009 12:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I am curious

if you have it now, will I have it always? Or is the cable company just giving us a sneak peak? I was suprised to have it on Charter.

by mrichardson70 on Jan 15, 2009 1:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i like the format for the most part

just watched that show hot stove and they were talking ben sheets. Tommy V says that teams are shying away form him because of injuries obviously(what he called the tri-fecta of injuries). He also says sheets may be in the smoltz or penny, 5-6 millon dollar range. Victor even said that the only team you keep hearing his name liked to was the rangers. i dont see anyway he signs for less than like 12-14 range for probably one maybe 2 years if he his deemed healthy enuff to pitch at a high level.

by jacksastud on Jan 15, 2009 1:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

there has to

be a problem with him. you know?

by mrichardson70 on Jan 15, 2009 1:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ga'gree

his talent level equals, if not exceeds AJ Burnett’s. it’s just the tri-fecta(elbow, shoulder, back) that has the rangers in prime position to bid against themselves for his services. i just have my fingers crossed that he signs a 2-3 year deal here. a one year deal is just a tease and he could just blow out anyhow, and a 4-5 year deal is obviously too risky.

by jacksastud on Jan 15, 2009 2:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One thing I think they should have

that doesn’t have to interrupt programming, but it would be cool if there was a transaction ticker, so if a move was made by team you can see it sooner. Their hot stove is old news by the time I see it. I think rojas does a great job, and I hate heyman, the guy is an idiot. He is like boras’ lackey.

Wait 'til the year after next

by NothinG on Jan 15, 2009 7:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would switch to Directv right now

so I could get this channel if their offers weren’t a complete bait and switch attempt. $29.99 for the first 12 months, then the price shoots up like $25. Screw that.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 15, 2009 7:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Fuck Dish Network :(

"You got a guy coming up there who can’t hit water if he fell out of a boat." - Tom Grieve on Richie Sexson, 5.8.2008
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
"When it comes to Jeff Mathis, the story ends with us putting one in his earhole." - AJM, 7.7.08

by lisa w on Jan 15, 2009 8:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I live in the metroplex is it not carried by Dish?

if so, what channel is it on?

by Ranger Capt on Jan 15, 2009 9:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope not on Dish

It’s because DirecTV owns a part of the network. They shut Dish out.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 15, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dish shut themselves out

I loved Dish but during the ExtraInnings negotiations from 2-3 years ago, one of MLB’s requirements to offer ExtraInnings was that the provider had to carry the MLB Network as a basic channel. Dish refused, so they lost ExtraInnings and now don’t carry the MLB Network.

With the exception of ExtraInnings and the MLB Channel Dish >>> DirecTV. DirecTV absolutely lied to me when they said I’d have local channels. All they gave me is ABC which doesn’t carry crap for sports except for CFB.

And there are others who were born with the wisdom to know that nothing lasts.
These are the truly tough among us, the ones who can live without illusion, or without even the hope of illusion.
I am not that grown-up or up-to-date. I am a simpler creature, tied to more primitive patterns and cycles.
I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun.

by WyoRanger on Jan 15, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I know the history

and I too agree that Dish >>>>> DirecTV. I would gladly trade NBATV for MLBTV. I would also pay a monthly fee to be able to have it…$1-$2?

It really is ludicrous that MLB and Dish would both think it’s better served to not offer something to millions of fans. I understand that Dish could’ve agreed to do what MLB wanted with Extra Innings — but the fact that DTV owns something like 33% of the network makes it painfully obvious that there’s nothing Dish could do now.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 15, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

I don’t have a need for Extra Innings or even Sunday Ticket, so switching just to get MLB Network (and increasing my costs significantly) isn’t really worth it.

I think I just keep threatening to switch to DTV every 6 months or so. Dish is scared shitless of that.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Jan 15, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

But none of this was done for the customer. MLB wanted to shove this down the providers’ throats so that way it would be on as many providers’ systems as possible, which means higher ad revenue. I presume that DTV would now prefer to not even give Dish the option of carrying the network for a $1.00 fee because then DTV wouldn’t be the only option in town (although since they’re an owner of MLBN, you’d think it might make sense to do so and get the extra scratch from viewer subscriptions and increased ad revenue).

Oh well, water under the bridge. MLB and DTV got what they wanted, namely making shmucks like me switch to an inferior satellite provider.

And there are others who were born with the wisdom to know that nothing lasts.
These are the truly tough among us, the ones who can live without illusion, or without even the hope of illusion.
I am not that grown-up or up-to-date. I am a simpler creature, tied to more primitive patterns and cycles.
I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun.

by WyoRanger on Jan 15, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm... I've had both Dish and Direct and I feel the exact opposite about them that you do.

I’ve had a great time with Direct, and any time there’s been a problem they’ve actually been very fairly helpful.

Shame about the local channels.

I wonder why they would flat lie to you… Did you talk to someone who specifically told you you’d get those channels? Or what happened?

Either way it sucks, but I’m just interested to hear what happened.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

I hate Michael Young.

"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith

by thedirkatron on Jan 15, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dish is a no go.

"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract

by tyd3311 on Jan 15, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This MLB Network is bleeping genius

and just wait until they have the ability to drop an 8 hour version of Baseball Tonight with live cut-ins on our viewing beans.

The Hot Stove nightly show is an absolute must for the serious baseball fan. Kinda like XM, if you don’t have it, it sucks to be you.

I loved it when they had Lincecum in last week for an interview. After speaking with him they took him to their in studio diamond and then went thru his pitching motion methodically and step by step.

The Prime Nine series is good. We saw the best individual pitching seasons last night and they said Pedro 2000 was #1. I probably would have opted for Gibson ’68 but my heart loves me some Koufax ’65 (he punctuated that season with a World Series win).

They show highlights from entire baseball seasons (1986 last night) plus they’re currently running the Ken Burns Baseball show every Tuesday night.

The only negative was a John Hart sighting and when they were speaking about him and the Texas Rangers he did say “We…” (vomit blood). Joe McGrane is starting to show up on my self-important pompous “how does my hair look” radar.

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

by Josey Wales on Jan 15, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree on all counts

wow…i don’t know what to say

Wait 'til the year after next

by NothinG on Jan 15, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The only think I really don't like

are the incessant commercials for themselves. If I hear “the national past time is full time” one more time…

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Jan 15, 2009 10:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I've never really understood that

I get NBC running ads so you tune into whatever dumbass shows are on, like Desperate Housewives or some similar crap. But I’m already watching MLBN – you really don’t have to advertise to me.

And there are others who were born with the wisdom to know that nothing lasts.
These are the truly tough among us, the ones who can live without illusion, or without even the hope of illusion.
I am not that grown-up or up-to-date. I am a simpler creature, tied to more primitive patterns and cycles.
I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun.

by WyoRanger on Jan 15, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs