* MLB Network: A (very) early appraisal

January 2, 2009

I know we’ve only just begun, but you know me: I have no filter.

The first day of MLB Network was pretty much a disappointment, as far as I’m concerned. The opening hour-long show, featuring four talking heads (including Harold Reynolds, Al Leiter, and Barry Larkin) alternated with a replay of Don Larsen’s World Series perfect game, hosted by Bob Costas with Larsen and Yogi Berra on hand to provide commentary. Those two programs were scheduled to alternate between yesterday a 6 p.m. until today at 2 p.m.

With all the baseball content out there, and for all the hype, was this really the best they could come up with? There are dozens of baseball documentaries, and the network’s “line-up” shows promise, so why not trot it out right away?

My wife had a theory: because of the holiday (and long-weekend), this might have been a “soft opening.” Perhaps, but if they want to attract loyal fans from the get-go, I think they could have done better than this.

Here are some early returns on the enterprise:

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Tagged as: baseball and television, MLB Network

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