MLB Productions, Shout! Factory Continue Their World Series Success With 2021 Collector’s Edition Presentation

Courtesy: MLB Productions/Shout! Factory

Major League Baseball’s 2022 Spring Training session is scheduled to launch Feb. 26, with all 30 of the league’s teams set to take the fields.  Of course, thanks to the league’s current lockout – the first since the 1994-1995 season – that date might get pushed back.  What’s more it may leave 29 of the league’s teams and their fans wondering when “next year” will happen.  There is at least one consolation prize of sorts courtesy of Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory.  It comes in the form of this year’s annual World Series presentation, The 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition.  Scheduled for release Tuesday, the eight-disc set is another success for MLB Productions and Shout! Factory in the companies’ ongoing partnership.  That is due in no small part to its general presentation, which will be discussed shortly.  The bonus content that accompanies the collection adds to its appeal.  It will be examined a little later.  The set’s pricing rounds out its most important items and will be discussed later, too.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the collection.  All things considered, they make The 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition a presentation that Atlanta Braves fans and baseball fans will enjoy as they wait for the start of the 2022 season.

MLB Productions and Shout! Factory’s forthcoming 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition Blu-ray package is a presentation that baseball fans (and especially Atlanta Braves) will find appealing.  That is due in part to its general presentation.  The general presentation is important because it compiles the entire six-game 2021 World Series along with the whole of Game Six of the National League Championship Series and the 2021 World Series documentary in one setting.  On the surface that might not seem overly important.  However, in the bigger picture, the inclusion of all of that content in one setting will save space and money for audiences.  In years past, the companies separated the World Series and its documentary, meaning audiences had to pay extra and find space on their DVD/BD racks for each.  Now with everything in one package, audiences no longer have to worry about that pricing (which will be addressed a little later) and finding space for the set and a separate documentary.  That makes this collection a win for the companies and for audiences alike.  To that end, MLB Productions and Shout! Factory are to be highly commended.  It is just one of the items that makes this collection successful.  The bonus content that accompanies the set adds to the collection’s appeal.

The inclusion of the 2021 World Series documentary is itself bonus content.  That is, again, because it marks the first time ever that Shout! Factory and MLB Productions have included the documentary with the World Series itself.  The documentary is certain to keep audiences engaged and entertained, this despite the lacking narration of rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.  He did a much better job working on Jim Henson Company/Lifetime’s 2015 movie, Turkey Hollow.  The documentary follows the Braves’ unlikely run to the World Series title after reaching only 44 wins by the mid-season break.  The note of GM Alex Anthopoulos’ roster moves at that break deserved maybe a little more attention.  Though, the tribute that the team made to the legend himself, #44, Hank Aaron (who died in January) during and after the documentary is reason enough to watch.  Diehard Braves fans will appreciate the note from Manager Brian Snitker of how perhaps Aaron gave the team a little extra help during the season’s second half, noting how the team had 44 wins at the season break, and how the team had 44 runs through the World Series.  That Shout! Factory and MLB Productions ensured the tribute to the legendary baseball star made during the World Series was included in the documentary makes for even more appeal.  Between that and the in-depth story of how the team reached the proverbial mountaintop, the documentary offers audiences so much to appreciate, even if they are not Braves fans.  This is just one of the bonuses that makes the 202 World Series Collector’s Edition so enjoyable.  The trivia-filled booklet that accompanies the collection is its own enjoyable bonus.

This year is hardly the first that MLB Productions and Shout! Factory has featured a companion, trivia-filled booklet with its World Series collections.  It is no less appreciated, either.  Audiences learn so much extra about this year’s World Series through the noted information.  For instance, audiences learn that “through Game 2, teams scoring first in the 2021 postseason had won 26 of 33 games.  Interestingly enough, Atlanta scored first in Game 1 of this year’s Fall Classic, proving the stat even truer.  On another note, in Game 1, audiences learn through the trivia, the Astros’ loss in Game 1 made th team the first to lose five straight World Series home games since the Braves’ teams from 1996-1999.  That is just a small sampling of what audiences learn through the booklet’s trivia.  Viewers and fans also learn that Houston’s win in Game 5 made the team the first this year to defeat Atlanta at home in the 2021 postseason.  Between these bits of trivia and so much more that are spread throughout the collection, the companion booklet once again proves itself to be a solid bonus and then some.  Add the appeal of that item to the fact that audiences once again get audio options from Fox, both teams’ home radio broadcasters, and even in Spanish as yet another bonus, and no doubt is left that the bonus content featured in this collection strengthens the set’s appeal even more.  It is just one more way in which this latest World Series presentation proves so successful.  Keeping in mind the engagement and entertainment that the overall content ensures, it makes the set’s pricing appealing in its own right.

The average price point for The 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition is $47.08.  The price was reached by averaging prices listed through Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Books-A-Million, and Shout! Factory.  In looking at the separate prices, Amazon offers the set at the least expensive price of $41.99.  Book-A-Million’s listing of 59.98 is the most expensive of the listings, far exceeding that average. Walmart’s listing of $46 even is just below the average and exceeds it when shipping and handling are added in to the mix.  Target lists the et at $43.49 while Best Buy lists the set at $42.99.  Shout! Factory lists the set at just above the average, at $47.98.  So while there are some more expensive listings, there is at least one relatively inexpensive listing through Amazon.  Again, considering all of the content featured in the collection, there is no denying that the noted least expensive listing of $41.99 through Amazon is worth paying by any diehard Braves and baseball fan.  When that listing and others just below the noted average are considered collectively with the set’s overall content, the whole makes The 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition a presentation that any baseball collector and diehard Braves fan will appreciate.

MLB Productions and Shout! Factory’s forthcoming 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition is another enjoyable offering from the companies through their ongoing partnership.  The set’s appeal comes in part through its general presentation.  The general presentation is important to the collection because it houses the entire 2021 World Series in one setting for the first time ever.  That includes the annual World Series documentary that MLB Production creates to accompany the World Series presentation.  The bonus content that accompanies the collection (including that documentary) adds to the set’s appeal.  That is because it will ensure audiences’ engagement and entertainment just as much as the general presentation.  The set’s pricing proves appealing for the most part, too.  That is because of the breadth and depth of the content featured in the set and its presentation.  Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the collection.  All things considered, they make the collection another successful offering from MLB Productions and Shout! Factory, and one more of the best of this year’s family DVDs/BDs.

The 2021 World Series Collector’s Edition is scheduled for release Tuesday through MLB Productions and Shout! Factory. More information on the set is available online along with all of the latest Major League Baseball headlines at:

Websitehttps://www.mlb.com

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/mlb

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/mlb

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like “it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Astros, Dodgers To Close Out Two-Game Series On Sept. 13 Edition Of ESPN’s ‘SNB’

Courtesy: ESPN

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros will face off live next week live on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

The cross-conference matchup, scheduled to take place Sept. 13, is the second in a scheduled two-game series between the teams that will take place in Los Angeles.  The first of the games is scheduled to take place Sept. 12.

Coverage of the Sept. 13 game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET.  Matt Vasgersian will anchor the broadcast.  World Series Champion and ESPN analyst Mark Teixeira, along with fellow analyst Tim Kurkjian, will provide additional commentary.

Roxy Bernstein will have the call for the game on ESPN Radio.  Analyst Chris Singleton will provide additional commentary.

ESPN’s Baseball TonightSunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet will precede the broadcast, starting at 7 p.m.

As with every other game, ESPN’s Sept. 13 broadcast will also simulcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes and online through the ESPN App.

More information on ESPN’s Major League Baseball coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

 

 

Websitehttp://espn.go.com/mlb

Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/ESPNBaseballTonight

Twitterhttp://twitter.com/BBTN

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

TBS To Carry Second Game In Astros, Angels Weekend Series Saturday

Courtesy: Turner Sports

The Los Angeles Angels will host the Houston Astros live this weekend on TBS.

The game is the second in a three-game weekend series between the American League West opponents.  Coverage of Saturday’s game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.

Joe Simpson will anchor the broadcast.  Ron Darling will join him in the booth for additional commentary.  A blackout will take place locally in Los Angeles.

Houston (21-15) is second in the American League West, two games back from the division leading Oakland Athletics.  Los Angeles (13-25) is last in the division and 14th in the American League overall, ahead of only the Boston Red Sox.

Houston comes into this weekend’s series against Los Angeles on the heels of a three-game series this week against the Texas Rangers.  The Astros took two of three games in that series.

The Angels come into the weekend series after splitting a two-game series with the San Diego Padres Wednesday and Thursday.  The Padres won that series’ first game 11-4 while the Angels took the second game, 2-0.

The starting pitcher for each team is under consideration.

In other news, TBS will feature a National League showdown next weekend between the Cubs and Brewers.  Coverage for that game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET.  The Yankees and Red Sox will face off live on TBS on Sept. 20, with coverage for that game scheduled to start at 1 p.m .ET.

 

More information on TBS’ Major League Baseball coverage is available online now at:

 

Websitehttp://tbs.com

Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/TBSNetwork

Twitterhttp://twitter.com/tbsnetwork

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Astros, Indians Look To Take Weekend Series Tonight Live On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

In just a few hours, the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians will finish their three-game weekend series, and the series’ rubber match will be broadcast live tonight on ESPN.

The American League Central-leading Indians (22 – 22) take on the American League West-leading (and defending World Series Champion) Houston Astros (29 – 18) in the closer of the teams’ series as part of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.  Broadcast of tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

Matt Vasgersian will have the call for tonight’s game.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Jessica Mendoza and Alex Rodriguez for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

Tonight’s broadcast will be preceded by Baseball TonightSunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet.  The pre-game broadcast starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Carlos Carrasco (5 – 2 so far on the season) is expected to get the start for Cleveland. His last time taking the mound was May 14 against Detroit. He took the loss in that 6 – 3 loss to the Tigers, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, 3 earned runs, 1 home run, 2 walks (one being intentional), and four strikeouts.  While those numbers are not bad, Carrasco will be looking to get a fresh start tonight when he takes the mound for the Indians.

Lance McCullers, Jr. (5-2) is expected to start for Houston.  He was also last on the mound May 14.  In his case, his last game was against the Angels, who won that game 2 – 1 against the Astros.  McCullers allowed 2 runs on 4 hits over 6 innings in that game, as well as 2 earned runs and 2 walks. He struck out 6 batters over that time.  Since he has had time to rest up, he will be looking for his own fresh start tonight.

Tonight’s game is another one that could go either way in looking at the numbers.  the Astros have played far better on the road so far this season, going 16 – 7 on the road while the team has been more tepid at home, going 13 – 11.  The Indians meanwhile have been better at home (13 – 9) than on the road (9 – 13).

Houston has gone 7 – 3 in its last 10 games while Cleveland has gone 5 – 5 in its last 10 games, with its most recent being a win against Houston.

More information on tonight’s broadcast and all of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell games is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at http://www.espn.com/mlb.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

‘2017 World Series’ Doc Is An Excellent Companion Piece To The ‘2017 World Series Collector’s Edition’ Set

Courtesy: Major League Baseball/Shout! Factory

The Houston Astros’ run to the 2017 World Series Championship is an historic part of Major League Baseball’s history. When the city that the team calls home was inundated by flood waters from Hurricane Harvey, the team became a beacon of hope for its residents. The team took that mantle and literally ran with it, giving its all from one game to the next, eventually finishing the regular season with 101 wins before advancing steadily but surely through the post season and on to the World Series Championship. Now thanks to Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory, baseball fans nationwide can relive the Astros’ unlikely season, from the devastation of Harvey this summer to the final out of the World Series’ seventh game in the new 2017 World Series documentary. That story is told through the doc’s bonus material and its roughly 90-minute main feature, both of which are key elements of the doc’s presentation. The doc’s availability on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on one platform is also key in that it allows viewers to take in the story in all three platforms through just one setting. Each element is important in its own right to this forthcoming documentary, which is currently set to be released Tuesday, Dec. 5. All things considered, they make this documentary a solid companion piece for the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros.

Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory’s upcoming 2017 World Series documentary is a solid companion piece to the companies’ also soon-to-be-released 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros. That is due in no small part to the story told through the pairing of the doc’s bonus material and its main feature. The main feature, which runs roughly 90 minutes, takes audiences through the entirety of the 2017 World Series, one game at a time, while also acknowledging the motivation that the Astros had to play so hard. It is told through the words of the men who took to the field on both sides of the ball game-by-game and through footage recorded during each game. That footage includes pre-game warmups by both teams. The frank words from the players does plenty to enhance the series’ importance because it lets audiences know firsthand what they must have been feeling in each game. The original broadcast audio from both teams’ radio networks adds even more emotion to the story. While there is some extraneous narration from Morgan Spector, his verbiage is kept to a minimum, making the experience all the more enjoyable. That minimization allows the teams and announcers to tell the story, again making for plenty of enjoyment. That enjoyment more than ensures viewers’ maintained engagement from beginning to end. Of course the story told through the doc’s main feature is only one way in which the story told here proves so solid. The story told through the bonus material also plays into that strength.

The bonus material included in the 2017 World Series documentary includes two short yet impacting segments — “Houston Strong” and “How They Got There” — that tell the story of the Astros’ motivation to play hard for Houston and the impact of that drive. The prior tells the story in short but concise fashion, the story of Hurricane Harvey hitting Houston and of the Astros’ desire to be there for the city’s people. The latter tells the story of how the team’s efforts got it through its highs and even the lows of mid-season injuries, eventually giving way to the acquisition of Justin Verlander and the return to form for the Astros. The whole thing culminates with the Astros’ ALCS win over the Yankees. Given, it’s an extremely brief mention, but is there nonetheless. The bonus “Clenching Moments” and “Regular Season Highlights” reels add to the story told through the two main bonuses, making for even more engagement and entertainment for audiences. When all of this additional bonus material is set alongside the doc’s main feature, the end result is, for all intents and purposes, an in-depth story of how the Astros went from starting over from 2016’s struggles to taking on the mantle of Houston’s guiding light (so to speak) to Major League Baseball Champions. It is a story that every baseball fan will appreciate regardless of team loyalty, and is just one more reason that the doc in whole proves such a solid companion to the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros. The availability of the program on three separate platforms in one single setting puts the finishing touch on the program’s presentation.

Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory have made it possible for audiences to enjoy the 2017 World Series documentary on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms in one single combo pack. That’s nothing new for the companies’ World Series documentaries. What is really great for audiences is that they have made it possible for audiences to enjoy the program on all three platforms in one single setting, rather than forcing them to choose between platforms. The average price point of $22.78 ($23 and change with tax) gives audiences all three platforms in one, allowing them to enjoy the program at home and on the go. For those wanting just one platform, the program is also being made available on standalone DVD at an aver age price point of $20.22. That’s not a bad price point, and is cheaper on the surface than the price point for the 3-platform combo pack. However in a 24/7 digital world, the slightly more expensive combo pack that includes a digital download code makes more sense. Not only that but it also allows audiences to watch the program on any platform or even lend one of the discs to family and/or friends without worry. Keeping that in mind, the availability of this documentary on both multi-platform setting and a single platform setting shows how much thought was put even into this aspect of its presentation. MLB Productions and Shout! Factory are to be commended just as much for this as for the product presented through the program’s central and bonus content. When all of this is considered along with the story told through the noted content, the result is a presentation that is just as enjoyable to take in as the actual World Series and that expertly completes the presentation of this year’s Fall Classic.

MLB Productions and Shout! Factory’s upcoming 2017 World Series documentary program is a solid companion piece for the companies 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros. It takes the presentation in that program and builds on it by giving audiences an even deeper look into the World Series from the mouths of the men who took the field. It also takes audiences through the Astros’ regular and post season with separate highlights reels. Those reels, while short, come together in whole to paint a relatively full picture of Houston’s road to the World Series. The availability of that full story on three platforms in one setting (DVD/BD/digital combo pack) strengthens the program’s presentation even more. Each element is clearly important in its own right to the presentation’s whole. All things considered, they make the 2017 World Series documentary a solid companion piece for the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros and certainly another program that every baseball fan will appreciate regardless of team loyalty. It will be available Dec. 5 and can be pre-ordered online now via Shout! Factory’s online store. More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Shout! Factory, MLB Productions Score Again With The 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros

Courtesy: Major League Baseball/Shout! Factory

The boys of summer are officially done for another year, but as teams take their annual break from the fields, fans nationwide will soon have a new way to pass the time as they count the days to the start of the 2018 season. That is because Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball have partnered to release this season’s seven-game World Series in whole on DVD and Blu-ray in the form of the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros. This collection is everything that baseball fans have come to expect from the sport’s annual World Series collections beginning with the series’ very presentation. This will be discussed shortly. The set’s companion booklet adds to that presentation, and will be discussed later. The set’s bonus American League Championship Series Game 7 is a welcome bonus that rounds out the set’s most important elements. Each element is key in its own way in this collection’s presentation. All things considered, they make this latest World Series Collection another set that baseball fans nationwide will appreciate regardless of team loyalty.

Major League Baseball and Shout! Factory’s forthcoming 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros is a collection that baseball fans nationwide will appreciate regardless of team loyalty. That is due in no small part to the set’s very presentation. Presented in this set is the complete 2017 World Series. All seven games are shown from the top of each inning to the bottom just as they aired on FOX stations nationwide. As an added bonus, audiences can choose how they experience the game’s call not just one way, not two ways, but four ways — the Dodgers’ radio network, Astros’ radio network, Spanish-Language radio broadcast and Fox television broadcast. In giving audiences so many listening options once again, Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions have once more shown great respect for baseball fans everywhere. The edits between innings are clean, making the experience all the more engaging and entertaining. That is because keeping the commercial breaks in the production maintains the feeling of having seen the series live without the wait times from the initial airings. As if all of that is not enough for audiences, each disc once again presents the final score for said game on its art, setting the stage before each game even starts. Shout! Factory and MLB Productions are to be highly commended for paying such close attention to every detail yet again. It shows that MLB Productions has lived up to its reputation once more in this box set. Keeping that in mind, it’s just one way in which MLB Productions has impressed yet again with this set. The companion booklet included in the set adds just as much enjoyment to the set’s presentation.

The companion booklet that is included in the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros gives audiences just as much to appreciate as the presentation of the games themselves. As with every one of the Fall Classic’s past home releases, the 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros‘ companion booklet takes audiences game-by-game through the series. Stats for each team are presented again for each game alongside inning-by-inning scores, trivia about the teams’ (and series’) history, gametime weather, game lengths in terms of time (and innings) and so much more. Some of the key trivia included in the rundown for Game 1 included the revelation that this year’s series marked the first time since the 1970 World Series between the Reds and Orioles that two 100-game-plus teams faced off for MLB’s top title. In the Game 5 info, audiences learn that “the eight go-ahead homers and six game-tying blasts hit in Games 1 through 5 are both records for a Fall Classic of any length.” Between the in-depth, game-specific stats, trivia and other info included in the series’ companion booklet, audiences get a full standalone experience in itself from the booklet. When the games are on, audiences can use the booklet as a program of sorts, following every pitch, hit and out as it happens, making the experience just as good as being at the games, if not better. This dual purpose use makes clear why this set’s booklet is so important to its overall presentation. It is not the last of the set’s most critical elements, either. The set’s bonus American League Championship Series Game 7 presentation rounds out the set’s most important elements.

Just as with each of the World Series’ games, Shout! Factory and MLB Productions present the seventh game of the ALCS in its entirety. The companies did not ignore that game either in the set’s companion booklet. It is outlined in full in its own page in the booklet. Given, the trivia included in the World Series games is not there. The full details on the game are there, though, allowing audiences to follow that game just as easily as the World Series games. Also as with the World Series games, the ALCS Game 7 disc also features its final score on its art, once more setting the stage for the game. Houston won that game 4 – 0 against the Yankees, who at the time of this posting are interviewing Carlos Beltran (a former Yankees player) for its managerial job. When all the positives of this bonus game are set alongside the positives of the set’s 2017 World Series presentation, the whole of the two presentations — and the set’s companion booklet — make this collection overall yet another home run for Shout! Factory, MLB productions and baseball fans alike.

Shout! Factory and MLB Productions upcoming 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros box set is a collection that is a home run for baseball fans nationwide regardless of team loyalty. That is due in part to the full seven-game series presentation of this year’s World Series and the full presentation of the Astros’ ALCS Game 7 matchup against the New York Yankees. The set’s companion booklet adds even more to its presentation because of the breadth of information highlighted in each game. That includes game-specific trivia, box scores and stats. That information, coupled with the complete in-depth broadcasts, makes watching each game (whether on DVD or Blu-ray) just as good as seeing The 2017 World Series in its original broadcast if not better. The 2017 World Series Collector’s Edition: Houston Astros will be available next Tuesday, Dec. 5. It can be pre-ordered online now via Shout! Factory’s store. More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shoutfactoryofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.