OT- Viewing MLB Highlights Survey
We got about 15 minutes until FOOTBALL! starts so I thought I would squeeze in an informal baseball survey. Informal because I’m going to offer my opinions before asking yours.
I started watching MLB Tonight and Quick Pitch (MLB Network) recently and found that I like it better than Baseball Tonight and SportCenter (ESPN). I haven’t watched the Fox Sports alternative.
I’m a fan of Harold Reynolds (MLB) and I like his approach – it’s more like a bunch of old ball players commenting while having a beer. It just appears more relaxed and spontaneous. They are frequently cutting into live or ‘just happened’ highlights and their comments are genuine. Quick Pitch shows this highlights along with the local play-by-play announcers accounts (which I like) along with highlights plus studio personality giving their descriptions.
I also like Karl Ravech (ESPN) as he is very polished. By contrast to MLB, he appears to be reading from cue cards (not: que cards). The ball players in the booth with Karl are very good, but don’t appear to have the fun like MLB does. And SC highlights have degraded to a bunch of young guys reading cue cards trying to be the next Chris Berman.
So, all that and now the ask…
- Are you a baseball highlights junkie, watch occasionally, or nada?
- Preference: MLB, ESPN, Fox, or other?
- Every survey has a comments box; add yours
August 6th, 2015 at 12:23 PM ^
Honestly I can't stand Harold Reynolds, the next time he says something informed and not cliche it will be his first.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^
HIghlights: Nada
FWIW I'm really not much of a basefall fan (yet) but I'm 56 so in just a few short years I'll be pushing 70 and then I expect the sport to become endlessly facinating to me as every really old guy I know loves it.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^
and probably passed other on the Diag.
I've been coaching kids since before my 28 year was born. My youngest is in 10U and playing kid pitch. I think I've grown to like MLB as I've got older.
...we just had too much free time!
August 6th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
2) I personally only watch the MLB highlights, I enjoy the local announcers sound rather than an anchor reading a script
3) And perhaps most important: Heidi Watney! (or "Wants Me" as they used to call her on Red Sox telecasts
August 6th, 2015 at 12:31 PM ^
August 6th, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
and said that some guys will analyze pitching stats, look for trends, and try and figure out what the pitcher will throw in an effort to increase their averages. Other guys will grab a bat and start swinging. Chipper was a swinger. Bobby said he liked guys like that because “no brain, no head ache!”
Harold is just a baseball dude fortunate enough to be on TV. While he’s not polished, I think he’s not trying to be something other than what he is. I would hang with him at a game and listen to him while tossing back some beer.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^
I just watch them on MLB's website. They usually have everything and with the commentary from the team whose highlight it is.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^
August 6th, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
I still prefer ESPN for baseball tonight just out of habit.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
- Baseball junkie
- I prefer MLB Network but sadly no longer get that channel. I prefer MLB Tonight to Baseball Tonight, and am a big fan of Greg Amsinger's energy as host. Other favorites include Dan Plesac, Al Leiter, and Eric Byrnes because he runs around the set like a crack addict. I also enjoyed Darrell Hammond (RIP). Harold Reynolds annoys the shit out of me with his complete disregard for anything that requires an ounce of thought. He is a dinosaur. On the flip side, Brian Kelly relies far too much on analytics. I love stats as much as the next nerd but he gets too wrapped up in them. There is a happy middle ground between the "eye test" and what the numbers say.
- I like Quick Pitch overall but especially when it's hosted by Heidi Watney. Not sure why, though.
You mean Brian Kenny. Kelly is the one who turns purple. I do agree with you though and cannot watch Brian Kenny. I know that Billyball and Bill James have changed the way stats are looked at but Kenny just annoys the hell out of me. +1 for Heidi.
You're right, I meant Brian Kenny. Or is that Brain Knney. I don't even know anymore.
EDIT: Crap, I just realized I typed Darrell Hammond (who is obviously not dead) instead of Darryl Hamilton. Ugh. RIP, Darryl.
August 6th, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
August 6th, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^
1) watch occasionally
2) MLB
3) farts... cause they're funny
1. Yes. I purchased MLB tv and have access to all out-of-market games. It was something like 120 bones for the season. I'm a Boston fan, and always have the game on in the evenings (even though we are trash) while I'm cooking/working out/work/etc... It's also nice because I can check out great pitching match ups, no hit bids, or just watch Trout/Stanton bat. If you use it it's less than a dollar a day to watch your squad!
2. I actually like ESPNs baseball coverage outside of Sportscenter. It's way more sports oriented. I feel their other sports coverage is more pop culture/individual oriented: "What did LeBron tweet today?" "Who did Johnny Manziel take to dinner?" "John Calipari hangs out with Drake." I enjoy Kurkjian, Olney, Ravich, Shulman, and I really like Kruk for some reason. I also really enjoy the local guys calling the games. I guess when you listen to them everyday it seems like you get to know them.
3. I hate Joe Buck, TBS baseball coverage, and Tropicana Field.
I find MLB tonight very entertaining, and I like Quick Pitch for highlights. I pretty much only watch ESPN for games nowadays
Also, as you said, the folks on MLB Network seem much more comfortable to say what's on their mind without everything having to be a hot take. It's refreshing.