Anyone else LOVING the ASG broadcast?

[Deertick]

I'm loving the mic'd up. I mean, someone has to get Manoa on a stationary bike between starts! He was panting after a few pitches.

Opposing layers talking to each other from the dugouts, guys talking through their AB, ect. The announcers had very little mindless stat reading or 'interesting' anecdotes. And no strike zone box or endless scrolls!

I could see this format bringing in new fans.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Deertick

I'm loving the mic'd up. I mean, someone has to get Manoa on a stationary bike between starts! He was panting after a few pitches.

Opposing layers talking to each other from the dugouts, guys talking through their AB, ect. The announcers had very little mindless stat reading or 'interesting' anecdotes. And no strike zone box or endless scrolls!

I could see this format bringing in new fans.

The pitchers that came, came to throw and throw hard. The ASG is still pretty amazing in my opinion.

[mrreality68]

I enjoy the game and the players being Mic'd made it slightly interesting but I do not see the mass population getting into that gimmick.

The game itself was good and the pitchers were pitching which was good but I am sure the ratings will be low especially with minimal homers and nothing on the line.

[Mike D.]

I'd agree it was interesting. I think it's nice letting the players show some personality. It makes the players and the game more marketable without getting in the way of game play.

[BobbyStrawberry]

I enjoyed some the mic'ed up aspect. My biggest issue with the Fox broadcasts is John Smoltz- great player, horrible commentator IMO

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Mike D.

I'd agree it was interesting. I think it's nice letting the players show some personality. It makes the players and the game more marketable without getting in the way of game play.

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

[clydepepper]

Thought it was great...the only things I didn't like was coming back from commercials late, thus missing some of the game action and 'Papi in the house'...for the same reason.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

I enjoyed some the mic'ed up aspect. My biggest issue with the Fox broadcasts is John Smoltz- great player, horrible commentator IMO

agreed Smoltz is not a very good commentator

[JustinD]

I really enjoyed the mic'd chat, and yep Smoltz is flailing as a commentator.

Sure would be nice to maybe see some change in the result on this prior to 2030. WTH is wrong with the NL?

Maybe they need to pull an Eddie Gaedel and put a blind squirrel in the lineup...

[John1941]

I liked it, but I wish they could have nicer uniforms.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Deertick

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

Agree that it wouldn't fly for a hitter...and really, even a pitcher is pretty questionable...OK in an exhibition like the AS game, but during the heat of a real game that matters? Probably not great.

They do it with fielders during regular season games, mostly OFers when I've seen it, and that seems to work pretty well.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by John1941

I liked it, but I wish they could have nicer uniforms.

I was explaining to my son that players used to wear their regular home uniforms, which looked really sharp. I mentioned that these jerseys mean they can sell special "All Star" jerseys. All about the money.

Plus, not sure what game-time temps were, but those dark gray AL "away" uniforms looked WARM.

[packs]

I actually thought the AL uniforms were pretty cool. The NL uniforms were dull though.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

agreed Smoltz is not a very good commentator

Originally Posted by JustinD

I really enjoyed the mic'd chat, and yep Smoltz is flailing as a commentator.

Is it too late to coax Tim McCarver out of retirement?

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Is it too late to coax Tim McCarver out of retirement?

Oh gosh, McCarver, Smoltz, Arod...it's like they're like "you know what people want with their baseball games? Former players who are just...awful at talking about baseball."

[packs]

David Cone is the best in the business right now in my opinion.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by packs

David Cone is the best in the business right now in my opinion.

I like Cone, but I'm riding with Keith and Ronnie til the end!

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Deertick

It was fun, but it would seem way more intrusive to game play speaking with a batter than a pitcher. ASG is an exhibition, so no real harm. They really were having fun. Can't see it flying in competition, though.

It brought back memories of my playing days.

+1 Best thing to me is that the players were clearly having fun and that was contagious. I used to be a pitcher-catcher so those conversations brought back memories of my playing days. At first I thought it was odd the catcher (Trevino) kept asking the pitcher what he wanted, rather than calling the game himself, but then I realized he was catching those guys for the first time, so they weren't familiar with each other.

The uniforms were terrible. In football, uniforms of the 2 teams need to contrast for obvious reasons, but in baseball, much less so. It was much better when players wore their regular unis. If MLB wanted to sell more shirts, just issue a new set to the participants with a special patch, like they used to.

I was glad the MVP went to games at that same ballpark, and sat in left field where he hit his home run, when he was a youngster. Baseball starts as a game for kids and remembering that is cool.

In summary, this was the most entertaining game I've seen in quite some time.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by Mark17

+1 Best thing to me is that the players were clearly having fun and that was contagious. I used to be a pitcher-catcher so those conversations brought back memories of my playing days. At first I thought it was odd the catcher (Trevino) kept asking the pitcher what he wanted, rather than calling the game himself, but then I realized he was catching those guys for the first time, so they weren't familiar with each other.

The uniforms were terrible. In football, uniforms of the 2 teams need to contrast for obvious reasons, but in baseball, much less so. It was much better when players wore their regular unis. If MLB wanted to sell more shirts, just issue a new set to the participants with a special patch, like they used to.

I was glad the MVP went to games at that same ballpark, and sat in left field where he hit his home run, when he was a youngster. Baseball starts as a game for kids and remembering that is cool.

In summary, this was the most entertaining game I've seen in quite some time.

I don't disagree about the uniforms, but Trevino and Cortes are teammates and very familiar with each other. I expect the reason Trevino went with whatever the pitcher wanted had more to do with the fact that it was an exhibition, he was only going to throw for an inning or so, and knew what felt to be his better stuff at the time.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

Is it too late to coax Tim McCarver out of retirement?

your can we use AI technology to replicate him.

Tim was fantastic. His voice, his insights, and his humor. WOW

[clydepepper]

Hate to stand out again, but I hated McCarver.

To be honest, I can do without all of the play-by-play guys too - they bring nothing to the table for me.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Hate to stand out again, but I hated McCarver.

To be honest, I can do without all of the play-by-play guys too - they bring nothing to the table for me.

We will pray for you

That is blasphemy

[Carter08]

I had mixed views on McCarver. Joe Morgan and A Rod are the only guys that stand out that I really did not like. Harry Carey and Ralph Kiner were my favorites. And I really love the Mets booth right now.

[clydepepper]

I HATE slip carey! I Mute Braves' games.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

I HATE slip carey! I Mute Braves' games.

Good call.

all pun intended

[Mike D.]

Put me in the camp that didn't like McCarver. When he wasn't belittling those that came after him and any stat more modern than game winning RBI's, he was blathering on aimlessly hunting for a point.

We're lucky enough in Red Sox country that when I have to tune into a game on Fox or ESPN I cringe. We miss Jerry Remy in these parts, but Dennis Eckersly has been really good, and the revolving cast of former players (Kevin Millar, Youk, etc.) have been solid enough.