One Arrogant Sportcaster Takes Over For Another

You may have heard this earlier this week: Bob Costas has signed a deal to join the new MLB Network this upcoming season. Costas will "host original programming and serve as play-by-play commentator" for some of the live games broadcast by the network this season. He actually had some airtime today, as an interview Costas did with Joe Torre aired.

Costas will keep his job at NBC, but will give up his show on HBO called "Costas Now."

I suppose this is a good move for the MLB Network, as the move brings a big-name announcer to its lineup. The down side is that along with the knowledge and love of the game that Costas will bring, the MLB Network will also have to make room for his tremendous ego and arrogance, which has the potential to overshadow some of the other things on the network.

Of course, my cable provider is yet to add MLB Network. Fucktards.

Anyway, since HBO had an opening for a small, nerdy announcer, it decided to fill it with the only announcer more arrogant than Costas: Joe Buck. According to the announcement, HBO is still deciding on the content and format of Buck's show, and when it will begin. Buck will keep his job at FOX doing NFL and MLB games.

Buck is knowledgeable, and he's certainly a good play-by-play announcer. However, he's easily the most arrogant one out there. I'm sure that will be more than apparent on his new HBO show.

Prime Time for Lists

I am normally not a huge fan of all-time sports lists. I might find them interesting, but they seem to come from someone who is very short-sighted and the lists always seem to be extremely top heavy with recent stars or events. I know it can be hard to quantify how good a player was back in the early 20th century from just their stats alone or old stories when you can "see" how good someone current is.

That said, I have been impressed with the new series on the MLB Network, Prime 9. Prime 9 is a half-hour show counting down the top 9 players or events on that night's topic. Last Monday, I watched the show on shortstops. Below is the ranking of the top 9 shortshops from #9 to #1.

Prime 9 Shortstops
#9 - Luke Appling
#8 - Barry Larkin
#7 - Derek Jeter
#6 - Arky Vaughn
#5 - Ozzie Smith
#4 - Ernie Banks
#3 - Cal Ripken, Jr.
#2 - Alex Rodriguez
#1 - Honus Wagner

I was impressed that the MLB Network actually seemed to look at the entire picture and not just the past 40 years and a couple of superstars from prior years. Obviously since this was done by MLB, they seem to have people that have a genuine interest in baseball on their staff. Yes, you could probably argue a couple of people that may of been left off or that Larkin was better than Jeter or that Ozzie Smith was overrated. Although, if you try and debate that Ozzie was overrated, you are liable to clubbed like a baby seal by Lom.

I have seen several lists that try and list A-Rod as the #1 shortstop. I even saw a list that put A-Rod first because he had gone to more World Series than Wagner. That ranks as one of the stupidest reasons I have heard for ranking a player. Just because your "team" won more, doesn't mean you were a better player. Now, if A-Rod can continue being very good for another 6-7 years, then might have an argument who is #1. However, Wagner is still my #1 pick.

The Prime 9 shows are decently written and right now they are just filler until the MLB spring training starts. They are definitely better than the nine hours of Hot Stove reruns they current offer. The next two episodes will rank the top gaffes and comebacks and will air on Feb. 9th at 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Enjoy.

MLB Network Is On the Air

"Booger!"

Yes, for those of us who cannot get enough baseball, Major League Baseball has it's own network now! The MLB Network was launched on January 1st and while baseball season is still a couple of months away, we can at least have a few tidbits to tide us over until then.

At this point, the programming is still in it's infant stage. The first week we were presented with mostly the 2008 playoffs and World Series. However, last week they started expanding the programming and offering the types of programs I can get into, or at least Tivo.

MLB Network has been showing recaps of old World Series, seasons in review and even Ken Burns' Baseball anthology. Being a St. Louis Cardinals fan, I definitely enjoyed watching the 1946 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.

I am still holding some reservations to see their offerings during spring training and the regular season and how their analysts are, but I am stoked about having a network dedicated to my favorite sport. Mrs. Bembledack, however, is not so thrilled and is still perplexed as to why teams have to play each other so much and why they play some teams more than others.

Why?

Because they must!