MLB network has been firing on all cylinders, pumping out pretty strong programming, particularly for such a nascent entity. Now the network is planning on taking some of the most iconic moments in baseball history and give them a makeover. The six historic moments — like Willie Mays’ over-the-back catch and Jackie Robinson stealing home in the 1955 World Series –will serve as lead-ins to the Thursday night games the network will be broadcasting. MLB will take real footage and combine it with new footage of actors in a studio, mixing in computer-generated stadium backgrounds. The end result features a “sort of replay on steroids” which also includes new camera angles that weren’t possible at the time.
“It’s just meant to be fun and not a scientific recreation,” says MLBN president Tony Petitti. “It’s not meant to show if Jackie Robinson was really safe or out.”
The replays, only about 35-45 seconds include all sorts of modern shots that fans are now accustomed to, including zoom-ins on the catchers and cable-cam shots.
Check out one of the newly made-over spots by clicking this link, it features Bob Gibson and his 17 strikeout performance in the 1968 World Series. Overall, it looks kinda cool, if obviously messed with.
Also, here are my predictions for the names of the inevitable “Web Gems” and “Touch ‘Em All” knock-off segments that MLB Network’s MLB Tonight will certainly present. “Flashing the Leather” and “Going Yard.” You heard it here first.
[USA Today]
As a means of honoring Peter Gammons before his departure to the higher-paying less-travel pastures of MLB Network and NESN, the ESPN baseball writers all contributed a paragraph or several about their mentor and friend. Several days later, there are new stories and the Gammons tributes are pushed down the page.
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