MLB Network - "The Third Team"

[johnnyg08]

Trout, check your PMs

[Umpire in Chief]

Great show they could make a regular show featuring each of the MLB crews

[johnnyg08]

To Johnny and warren: sorry I ducked out on you had to help a family member with car troubles. Starting it from beginning on DVR now. Sounds like its a good one.

very good!

[krwill96]

I think they did a great job with the show. It was awesome to see behind the scenes and the insight from these guys.

[johnnyg08]

highlights were definitely on two umpires...I wonder if the other umpires simply bowed out or if it just came down to editing.

[clawdad]

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

[clawdad]

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

[johnnyg08]

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

No doubt.

[yawetag]

Overall I thought it was very good. Nice to see the human side. I agree with UIC, it might be a good idea for a series throughout the regular season. Pick a crew and follow them for a week or so. It could catch on. I've seen A LOT worse "reality" shows on tv.

Doesn't some network have a show where they follow an MLB team around the whole season? How hard would that be for an umpire crew? Or, to make it easier, place a camera crew in Chicago or New York and just film the different crews as they come into town.

[johnnyg08]

One would think that it would be easy, but people are funky when it comes to the umps.

[yawetag]

One would think that it would be easy, but people are funky when it comes to the umps.

The umps could be funky, too. I'm sure their labor agreement has sections on media and such.

[johnnyg08]

The umps could be funky, too. I'm sure their labor agreement has sections on media and such.

Certainly.

[BRUMP]

Ok my .02- I think that this was a phenomenal show and addressed the human side of umpires more than any other media publication I've seen. My favorite part- "He got you right there Bang"

[BRUMP]

Lacking MLBN, I'm watching impractical jokers

Great show.

[BalkHawk]

does anyone have another way to watch besides mlb network?

[Stan W.]

repeated today (friday) at 2 pm on MLB

[guitarplaya2007]

My favorite part was Danny's explaination to Jim Leyland "Hi Jimmy, we had a really close play but he clipped him right where that mark is" and then jimmy coming out later to check on his pitcher and says "Good call dan" and Danny saying "Thanks Jimmy, I really appreciate that"

[johnnyg08]

Had he missed it, and a similar comment was made in context, he could've run him.

 

I liked the part where the umpires, Joe Torre, and managers were meetings and Torre stated that the umpires will do everything possible to keep the players in the game, BUT Torre expected the managers to help control their players as well.

[MidAmUmp]

I thought the show was very well produced and wish they would do more along those lines with umpires, but I would guess the viewership probably isn't going to be strong enough to demand more.  I also thought they did a good job of keeping the spotlight off of Joe West.  He's a polarizing figure (umpires like him, fans hate him) and they did well by featuring him in a mentoring/veteran role.  I think overall that is going to be better received than if they had focused on him.

 

Some things I really liked:

 

Basically Dan Iassogna

 

Iassogna discussing the play at the plate, what he was looking at (reading Fielder rounding 2nd, knowing he was probably going to have a play at the plate and setting up off the catcher's hip) - very good description of exactly what to look for and when.

 

Iassogna's argument with Leyland.  I like how he controlled the conversation.  A lot of times we instruct or are instructed to let the coach have the first word, let them talk, etc.  I say in this instance you know why he's out there and you're 100% sure of your call...tell him exactly what you have, no need for him to talk.  I thought it was handled very well.  How many guys would start off an argument with "Hi Jimmy..."?  I thought what he said was perfect - "Hi Jimmy, we had a close play but he got him right where..."  Very cool, calm and collected.

 

On one of the plays Onora had at 1st, Iassogna was down the RF line and yelled at him "Good call!"  How often do we do that to our partners on a close or controversial call?  It epitomized the "Third Team" title.

 

When Onora was getting ready to work the plate one of the guys said something along the lines of "you belong here" or something like that.  The very first D-I conference plate I ever worked was an intense game at Wichita State and I nailed it.  When we got in the dressing room one of my partners bear hugged me and said "you belong".  That will always stick with me.

 

Iassogna getting emotional about working his plate, talking about everyone who was there in spirit with him.  That's very true.

 

Joe West telling the crew if they have any info that could change a call to say it.  No egos.

[Stan W.]

im just in the middle of watching it now..........and it just reminds me why I love doing this so much.......the comraderie of my partners, the game, ...teaching, having the dish...... 

[JaxRolo]

O'nora seemed really nervous 25 best ejections tonight Sent from my Kindle Fire HD 32GB

[mstaylor]

The only way I have found to watch it without MLB network is Hulu. 

[Pete Peterson Sr]

I missed it. Damn.

[Guest]

Boy, it would be really nice if this popped up online to watch somewhere.

[yawetag]

Boy, it would be really nice if this popped up online to watch somewhere.

 

I'm going to do some snooping tonight. I might find a copy somewhere.