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:

Website: https://www.mlb.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlb

Twitter: https://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.

Shout! Factory, MLB Productions Hit It Out Of The Park Yet Again With 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition Box Set

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Productions

The 2021 Major League Baseball season will start on time.  Unlike last year’s shortened season, this year will feature spring training in whole – starting Sunday, Feb. 28 – and the league’s entire 162-game schedule will kick off Apr. 1, with all 30 clubs hitting diamonds across the country.  While audiences still have more than a week left to wait for the start of the 2021 season, MLB Productions and Shout! Factory have just the thing for audiences to pass the time.  The companies partnered to release the 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition last week.  The eight-disc set’s release continues a long-running partnership between the companies and is just as enjoyable as the two sides’ previous full World Series box sets.  That is proven in part through the set’s very presentation.  This will be discussed shortly.  The bonus content that accompanies the set adds to the set’s appeal.  It will be discussed a little later.  The set’s companion booklet rounds out its most important items and will also be discussed later.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the collection.  All things considered, they make the 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition yet another great presentation for any baseball fan, especially if those fans Los Angeles Dodgers loyalists.

The 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition continues a long trend of successful home releases from MLB Productions and Shout! Factory that goes back many years.  It  has  much to offer audiences regardless of team loyalty,  beginning with its very presentation.  Audiences get here, the whole of the six-game 2020 World Series from its first pitch to its last right from the original broadcasts on FOX.  As with the existing World Series sets from MLB Productions and Shout! Factory, the commercials are gone, shortening the presentation to a point.  Adding to appeal, audiences have multiple listening options.  Fans can listen separately to the FOX broadcast team’s audio throughout the series, as well as from the Dodgers’ own radio affiliate and in Spanish for those audiences, too.  There are some audiences out there who, regardless of team affiliation, have open said over the years that they prefer their teams’ radio broadcasts the TV broadcast coverage.  So once again, that will certainly add to the enjoyment since each broadcast is its own presentation.  Going back to the very presentation of the game, maybe there were those who might have been unable to watch the World Series for one reason or another.  Now those viewers and everyone else can enjoy the game at their own pace, even being able to pause the game when they need to maybe go use the restroom or get a snack.  No doubt, this will appeal greatly to a wide range of audiences.  It will certainly allow viewers to enjoy the annual Fall Classic at their own pace as they count the days to the start of the 2021 season.  It is just one part of what makes the set so enjoyable.  The bonus content that comes with the full world series set will appeal even more.

The bonus content in question comes in the form of the Dodgers’ key wins in Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series and Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.  The Dodgers routed the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the NLDS to move on to the NLCS to face the Atlanta Braves.  The Dodgers would then defeat the Braves in seven, with that deciding game being close at 4-3 the final.  Audiences are reminded that the Padres and Dodgers had an intense rivalry taking place last season.  That included some moments of heightened emotions during the regular season and the NLDS.  Audiences will see some of those contentious emotions in the Game 3 broadcast, too.  Staying on that topic, that rivalry looks to resume this season, as both teams have been very active in bolstering their rosters during the offseason.  To that end, audiences will likely see more tension between the two sides this year.  On the other side, with the NLCS, the battle between the Braves and Dodgers was obviously hard-fought, going right down to the last inning of the series’ last game.  Audiences will thrill at every at bat and every pitch and catch in this fateful game.  Honestly, real fans (again regardless of team loyalty) will watch those two games before the world series, to really get the full effect and appreciation for the Dodgers’ road to the championship.  When they are considered along with the set’s full World Series presentation, the overall experience that audiences get is fully immersive, engaging, and entertaining.  While the primary and secondary content featured in the 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition goes a long way toward making the set so enjoyable, it collectively is just a portion of what audiences will appreciate about the presentation.  The companion booklet that comes with the collection puts the final touch to the collection’s presentation.

This year is hardly the first that a World Series set from Shout! Factory and MLB Productions has ever included a companion booklet.  Building on that, the booklet featured with this set is just as important to the collection as those featured with the companies’ existing World Series collections.  Audiences get lots of trivia and information that relates to each game within the series that maybe the broadcast teams missed.  For instance, audiences learn thanks to the booklet’s information, Clayton Kershaw passed Justin Verlander for the most strikeouts ever in the post season during Game 5 of the World Series.  There is even a little bit of background information on the NLDS and NLCS games here.  Viewers learn through the companion booklet, that  Los Angeles’ Game 7 win over Atlanta in the NLCS made the team the fourth MLB team to come back from 2-0 and 3-1 separations to win a best of seven series.  That speaks to the team’s never-say-die attitude last season.  It was that attitude (and of course a bad call by Tampa Bay’s manager in Game 6 to change pitchers) that ultimately led the Dodgers to last season’s title.  Yet another interesting fact revealed in the companion booklet is that in Game 1 of the World Series, is that in that game, Mookie Betts became the first player since Babe Ruth to be walked and to steal two bases in the same inning of a World Series game.  That shows talent and respect/fear that the opposing team had for him.  That is a big statement.  When this tidbit is considered along with the other items noted here and so much more information, no doubt is left that the companion booklet that comes with the 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition is just as important to the engagement and entertainment of the set as the rest of the set’s content.  All things considered, the set becomes another must have for any MLB fan.

Shout! Factory and MLB Productions’ presentation of the 2020 World Series Collector’s Edition is a presentation that baseball fans and Los Angeles Dodgers fans alike will welcome into their homes.  Whether watched ahead of the start of the 2021 MLB season, during or even after, this collection does everything right.  Its presentation presents audiences with the full 2020 World Series to watch at their own pace and with three separate listening options.  The pivotal NLDS Game 3 and NLCS Game 7 as bonus content adds even more enjoyment to the presentation.  The games help to show how hard this Dodgers club fought to get to the pennant in 2020.  The companion booklet that comes with the set once again adds its own layer of enjoyment to the whole.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the set.  All things considered, they make this presentation yet another impressive offering from MLB Productions and Shout! Factory that any baseball fan will appreciate.  It is available now.

More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online now at:

Website: https://www.shoutfactory.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

More information on the sets is available online along with all of the latest Major League Baseball headlines at:

Website: https://www.mlb.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlb

Twitter: https://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.

Shout! Factory, MLB Prouctions “Score” Again With ‘2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers’

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Productions

The first tow months of each new year are the most important of all for baseball fans.  That is because it is during those months that news starts arriving about Major League Baseball’s spring training and regular season schedules.  The league’s spring training was cancelled I 2020 and its regular season start delayed until July due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now that news is finally coming out about the hopefully soon distribution of a vaccine to fight the virus, anticipation is likely building even more over what will happen with Major League Baseball’s 2021 season.  With any luck, fans and teams alike will get a full season with no asterisks (unlike this recently ended season).  Until then, fans will get to relive the 2020 World Series in part thank to Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory.  The companies have partnered once again to release a look back at MLB’s annual fall classic, this time in the form of 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers.  The two-disc set, which features the program on DVD and Blu-ray separately, is a presentation that will appeal equally to Dodgers fans and baseball fans in general.  That is due in no small part to the documentary’s primary feature, which is narrated by legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully.  This will be discussed shortly.  The bonus (secondary content) that accompanies the program builds on the appeal created through the retrospective’s primary content and makes the overall presentation that much more entertaining and engaging.  It will be discussed a little later.  The whole of that primary and secondary content collectively makes the set’s average price point important to address in its own way, too.  It will also be discussed later.  When it is considered along with the set’s overall content, the whole of this presentation proves itself such that it will keep baseball fans across the board entertained, regardless of whether MLB’s 2021 season starts on time (which hopefully it will).

MLB Productions and Shout! Factory’s annual World Series retrospective presentation, this year focusing on the 2020 World Series, is a work that is certain to appeal to baseball fans, regardless of team affiliation and loyalty.  That is proven in no small part to the documentary’s primary feature.  The production, narrated by legendary Dodgers voice Vin Scully, takes audiences through the back and forth six-game battle between the Dodgers and Rays.  Adding to Scully’s narration — which shows zero bias toward the Dodgers at any point (audiences will appreciate this aspect of Scully’s work very much) — was commentary from members of the Rays and Dodgers, recalling thoughts and emotions on both sides of the ball as the series progressed.  From the momentous “battle of the bats” in the series’ fourth game, to the controversial decision by Tampa Bay Manager Kevin Cash to pull pitcher Blake Snell in the sixth inning of Game Six, to the impact of Mookie Betts for Los Angeles throughout the series, and more, audiences are presented a rich picture of the action throughout the series thanks to that first hand insight and narration.  The cinematography that pairs with Scully’s narration adds to the experience. 

Media access to the World Series was limited on and off the field due to COVID-19 restrictions, but despite that, enough footage was captured that audiences still managed to see firsthand, the highs and lows for each team.  Even with restrictions in place due to COVID-19, the cameras were still fully able to capture all of the on- and off-field action.  The editing of that footage helped tell the series’ story.  Audiences will watch in awe as certain pitches make their way past the batters and as the fielding units make their way to the walls, making seemingly impossible leaps to catch the balls.  Even seeing the looks on the players’ faces throughout the course of the series adds to the impact of the cinematography.  The editing of that footage into the presentation shown here works with Scully’s narration to make the program’s pacing solid from start to end.  According to information on the program’s case, its run time is 90 minutes.  That run time passes by with ease thanks to everything noted here collectively.  The result is a primary presentation that ensures this retrospective will keep audiences watching time and again as they count down to the start of the 2021 season.

The primary presentation featured in 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers is undeniably important in its own way to the whole of this program.  As important as it is to the retrospective’s whole, it is just one aspect worth examining in the presentation.  The bonus content that accompanies the set’s primary content adds its own share of entertainment and engagement for audiences.  The whole of that content opens with the “How The yGot There” featurette.  Clocking in at approximately five minutes (give or take a few seconds here and there) this featurette chronicles the Dodgers season-long run to its first MLB title in 32 years.  One of the biggest highlights of the featurette is the team’s acquisition of star Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox during the off-season.  His addition to the team clearly made a big difference, as this featurette shows.  Just as interesting to see in this presentation is the tension between the Dodgers and their rivals, the San Diego Padres as the season progressed.  Obviously there was no love lost between the two teams, as the documentary shows.  The brief, but still rich presentation culminates with the final out in the sixth game of the World Series.

The “Clinching Moments” and “Season Highlights” that accompany the bigger look back take audiences back through some of the biggest moments of the season and post season for the Dodgers, including one game in particular that saw Betts go yard three teams.  Other notable highlights are big moments from Betts’ teammates, such as Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, and Clayton Kershaw.  Everything is rounded out by the Game Six post game interviews with the Dodgers’ players.  The interviews, conducted by on-air staff with MLB Network and Fox Sports, show an interesting picture of calm from the team members.  One would think that after a drought of 32 years without a championship, the team members would be jubilant and excited even in the interviews.  Given, they were clearly upbeat, the control in their presentation is something to behold, considering everything going on around them.  One of the most interesting questions that came up (multiple times) was the thoughts of the Dodgers; team members about that controversial move by the Rays’ manager to pull Snell.  It shows the clear impact that Snell had in the series.  Betts’ response to the question is telling in itself.  He took the high road and refused to let the announcers try to pull him into the controversy, which is a wonderful show of his professionalism.  The interviews in whole are a great accent to the bonus content that opens with the “How They Got There” featurette, showing that the sequencing of the bonus content is just as important as the content itself.  It helps to enrich the story of the 2020 World Series even more.  When this content and its sequencing is considered along with the set’s primary content, the whole of the set’s content gives audiences plenty to appreciate.

Considering the breadth and depth of the content featured in 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers, the double-disc set’s average price point prove to be its own positive worth noting.  The average price point, using listings at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, and Major League Baseball’s online store, is $21.70.  The set is not listed through Target or Books-A-Million.  The documentary’s standalone DVD presentation is listed through Target at $14.99.  Speaking of the DVD, its average price point comes to $18.31.  That price is obtained by adding in the aforementioned retailers’ listings along with that noted listing at Target.  Amazon and Target offer the lowest DVD listing at $14.99 while MLB’s listing of $24.99 is the most expensive.  Its listing of $29.99 is also the most expensive of the Blu-ray/DVD combo set price listings while Best Buy’s listing of $19.99 is in fact the best buy in this case.  Considering that the Blu-ray/DVD set’s average price point barely tops the $20 mark and that the standalone DVD set’s price point comes in at just below the $20 mark, that in itself is motivation for baseball fans.  Neither price will break any fan’s budget, and that together with the noted content makes the prices even more positive.  Given, the singular price listings  are somewhat expensive at some retailers, but the least expensive listings are below $15 (DVD) and below $20 (Blu-ray/DVD).  That overall affordability is undeniably another positive to this presentation.  When it is considered along with the retrospective’s overall content, the whole of the presentation leaves zero doubt as to its value for the most devoted baseball fans.  It is a presentation that will keep viewers entertained and engaged as they wait for news on the start of the 2021 MLB season, especially when it is considered along with the forthcoming full, six-game World Series set that is due for release in February.

Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory’s 2020 World Series retrospective 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers is a welcome presentation for Dodgers fans and baseball fans alike as they wait anxiously for news about the 2021 MLB season.  That is proven in no small part through its primary feature, which chronicles in depth, all six games of this year’s World Series.  The narration by legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully and the first hand accounts from team members on both sides of the ball does so much to entertain and engage audiences.  The cinematography and editing that pairs with the overall story adds to the presentation’s positive impact.  The average price points for the documentary’s Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and its standalone DVD presentation prove to be their own positive as do their least expensive singular listings.  They are prices that will not break any viewer’s budget.  Add in the amount of content in the overall presentation and that content’s depth, and those least expensive listings become even more positive.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the documentary.  All things considered, 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers proves itself a great way for Dodgers fans and baseball fans alike to pass the time until Major League Baseball (hopefully) returns in March for its 2021 season.

More information on this and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online at:

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

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

Shout! Factory, MLB Productions Announce Release Date, Specs For World Series Sets

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Productions

Los Angeles Dodgers fans and baseball fans alike can relive history beginning next month.

Major League Baseball Productions and Shout! Factory have partnered to release 2020 World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers Dec. 8. The 90-minute presentation takes audiences through the Dodgers’ 2020 season all the way through the World Series.

Legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully narrates the program, which culminates in the Dodgers’ first World Series Championship in 32 years.

Scully was humble as he talked about taking part in the production.

“It was 32 years since the Dodgers won a World Series and the seventh in the history of the organization, bringing great joy to their fans and the city of Los Angeles in particular,” said Scully. “This is their winning story against the Tampa Bay Rays, and it’s an honor for me to recount just how they did it.”

Media access was limited this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. However, approved access and other feeds allowed for this year’s production to happen. The set is expected to retail for MSRP of $19.98 (DVD) and $26.98 (Blu-ray/DVD combo pack).

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Prouctions

As an additional bonus, the entire six-game world series is scheduled for release Feb. 9 through Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions. The set will feature Game 3 of the National League Division Series and Game Seven of the National League Championship Series as bonus content.

2020 World Series Collector’s Edition is expected to retail for MSRP of $59.98 (DVD) and $74.98 (Blu-ray).

More information on these and other titles from Shout! Factory is available online at:

Website: http://www.shoutfactory.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ShoutFactory

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

ESPN To Carry World Series Coverage, Analysis On Radio, Television

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN Radio will carry full coverage of the World Series as the championship battle begins tonight.

Coverage is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET. Along with airing on the radio, it will also stream online through ESPNRadio.com, the ESPN App, and Sirius XM’s Channel 80.

ESPN’s Dan Shulman will anchor the coverage for the 10th consecutive year. Jessica Mendoza will make history as she becomes the first woman to serve as an analyst during ESPN Radio’s coverage. Chris Singleton rounds out the network’s broadcast team for the coverage.

ESPN Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney will provide all of the game’s latest headlines. His reports will come remotely.

ESPN Radio’s coverage of the 2020 MLB World Series will come from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, CT as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Pre-game coverage is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET with Mark Kestecher anchoring and various analysts joining him.

This year marks the 23rd consecutive season that ESPN Radio has carried coverage of the World Series.

ESPN Radio’s broadcast schedule for the 2020 MLB World Series is noted below.

2020 World Series schedule

Date	Game
Tue, Oct. 20	World Series Game 1
Wed, Oct. 21	World Series Game 2
Fri, Oct. 23	World Series Game 3
Sat, Oct. 24	World Series Game 4
Sun, Oct. 25	World Series Game 5* if necessary
Tue, Oct. 27	World Series Game 6* if necessary
Wed, Oct. 28	World Series Game 7* if necessary

Over on the television side, Baseball Tonight will preview each game of the World Series at 7 p.m. ET. The program’s broadcast schedule is noted below.

Baseball Tonight schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Platform
Tue, Oct. 20	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN App
Wed, Oct. 21	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN App
Fri, Oct. 23	7 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN App
Sun, Oct. 25*	6 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN App
Tue, Oct. 27*	7 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN App
Wed, Oct. 28*	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN App

More information on ESPN’s upcoming MLB broadcasts is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

Website: http://www.espn.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

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, 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 Tonight: Sunday 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:

 

 

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/mlb

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

Twitter: http://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.

 

MLB, Shout! Factory’s 2018 World Series Presentation Is Another Grand Slam

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Major League Baseball Productions

Winter is officially here again, and for fans of the National Football League, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.  For others though – baseball fans – it means there are still two months until the start of Spring Training for the 2019 season.  Thanks to Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions, that wait is a little bit easier (for some at least) with their annual World Series releases, The 2018 World Series documentary and 2018 World Series Collector’s Edition: Boston Red Sox.  This is an especially positive combination of releases for the most devoted Boston fans, and for baseball aficionados in general.  It might be difficult to watch for those who have a very strong dislike of Boston (this critic included), but for others who might not have such a strong dislike, it will be a welcome overall presentation.  That is due in no small part to the set’s overall presentation.  This will be discussed shortly.  The bonus content provided in the sets adds to their presentations.  The sets’ overall average price range rounds out their most important elements.  Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the collection.  All things considered, they make the two presentations collectively yet another home run for the most devoted Boston fans and for baseball aficionados who don’t have a strong dislike of Boston.

Shout! Factory and Major League Baseball Productions have had quite the successful run of things in recent years with their partnership.  That partnership has seen the release of the Chicago Cubs’ historic World Series win, full presentations of World Series wins by the San Francisco Giants  and the historic first win by the Houston Astros, just to name a few.  That partnership continued this year with the release early this month with the presentation of the Boston Red Sox 2018 World Series win.  The team’s fourth title win in 15 years, the series is presented in full through The 2018 World Series documentary and 2018 World Series Collector’s Edition: Boston Red Sox.  That presentation forms the foundation for the sets’ presentation.  The Collector’s Edition presents the entire five-game 2018 World Series from its first pitch to its last right from the original broadcasts on FOX.  The documentary presentation adds to that presentation by turning the series into a cinematic experience while also highlighting the key moments from the series and presenting commentary from members of the Dodgers and Red Sox.  The doc also presents some interesting “non-game” moments for people to enjoy, such as Kirk Gibson taking a pitch from Dennis Eckersley ahead of Game 4, and Dodgers Manager (and former Red Sox player) Dave Roberts sharing memories with members of his former team, including former teammates from the 2004 season.  The doc, narrated by award-winning actress Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black, My Little Pony: The Movie, The Wiz Live) takes audiences deeper into the series, creating even more appreciation for the set’s overall presentation. Aduba’s narration alone does so much to capture the intensity of the series, especially in that 18-inning Game 3.  She puts the emphasis on all of the right moments, pulling in audiences that much more.  The whole of that depth and the full experience presented by the Collector’s Edition makes this set’s overall presentation such that it creates a solid foundation for the set.  That foundation is strengthened even more through the bonus content presented collectively in each presentation.

The bonus content included in the Collector’s Edition is the most important of the bonus material featured in this year’s set.  As with past years’ sets, the companion booklet included with the Collector’s Edition is that bonus material.  It takes audiences game-by-game, providing specific box scores for each game, as well as gametime temps, game lengths, in terms of time, and even game-specific trivia, such as the revelation that “the 18 combined pitchers used in Game 3 was the most in history for a Postseason game” and that “Cody Bellinger’s sliding catch in Game 2 had only a 14 percent chance of being caught, meaning it was a critical catch.  Between this information and everything else presented throughout the course of the booklet, audiences are taken even deeper into each game, than just the presentations on the surface.  It makes the experience that much more engaging for audiences, and that much more impressive especially for those noted aficionados who are not defiantly anti-Boston.  The addition of the regular and post season highlights in the series’ documentary as bonus content adds yet another layer of engagement and entertainment for audiences.  Those highlights include the post season series highlights and even key moments in the regular season that punched the Bosox’ ticket to the post season.  There is even a featurette that highlights even more so, how Boston made its way to the postseason.  It uses footage of the team’s regular season play to show the road that the team took, leading the league in games won, and the work that went into it all.  When one considers the engagement and entertainment offered through that featurette, the value of the box scores and trivia featured in the Collector’s Edition companion booklet and regular season highlights in the doc, one will see that the bonus content featured in this overall set is its own important material.

As if the actual content presented across the set is not enough, it once again offers four different audio options.  Audiences can take in the game via the Dodgers’ home radio, that of the Red Sox, the actual game telecast from it’s broadcast on FOX and also on Spanish radio.  Simply put, audiences are given plenty of options through which they can take in each game.  This applies to all five games, adding even more for audiences to appreciate.  This is yet another tradition that MLB Productions and Shout! Factory have carried through its past World Series collections, and for which the companies should again be complimented.  When this is all considered along with the primary content presented across both presentations, the whole of all of the noted content makes the whole even more engaging and entertaining.  The result is a presentation that is well worth the money paid for the sets.

The overall average price point of the 2018 World Series documentary and World Series Collector’s Edition: Boston Red Sox barely tops the $80 mark.  That price is reached by averaging prices from Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and Shout! Factory.  Additionally, it is obtained by collectively averaging the prices for the Collector’s Edition and 2018 World Series documentary from each noted site.  Considering that the average price for the Collector’s Edition totals a little more than $60 and the doc alone averages a little more than $20, that total average is actually quite affordable.  Add in the breadth and depth of the primary and secondary content featured throughout the two presentations, and that pricing proves even more affordable.  It might not be overly inexpensive, but that collective average price for the two presentations also does not break the bank.  Keeping this in mind, it makes the two sets together well worth the purchase by and for any Boston devotee and baseball aficionado who does not completely despise the Red Sox.

Shout! Factory and MLB Productions’ latest World Series presentation, which once again features the World Series in its entirety and companion documentary, is another win for both companies.  As noted through this discussion, that is due in no small part to the collective primary content displayed across each presentation.  By themselves, the content entertains and engages audiences easily.  Collectively, that primary content forms a rock solid foundation for the set.  The bonus content featured in each set comes together to once again pull in audiences even more, continuing a long-running tradition for the companies that is just as welcome now as it was with the organizations’ first release.  The set’s overall average price range is relatively affordable, coming in at just under $100 for the two presentations.  Considering the breadth and depth of the noted content, that average price of a little more than $80 for the pair is not a bank-breaking price, and one that true Major League Baseball aficionados and Boston Red Sox fans will agree is money well-spent.  When this is considered along with the noted content, the whole of these two sets proves to be a grand slam for Major League Baseball and Shout! Factory.  Both sets are available now on DVD and Blu-ray.  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

 

 

 

More information on the sets is available online along with all of the latest Major League Baseball headlines at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.mlb.com

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/mlb

 

 

 

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.

‘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.

Shout! Factory, MLB Productions Go To Bat Again For 2016 World Series Game 7 Standalone Release

Courtesy: MLB/MLB Productions

It’s time to fly the “W” again.

Shout! Factory is going to bat with Chicago Cubs fans one more time next month when it releases the historic seventh game of the 2016 World Series in its own standalone Blu-ray and DVD release. The iconic game marked the end of a 108 year wait for the club, its fans and the city that supported it through thick and thin.

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Productions

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/MLB Productions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 World Series: The Complete Game 7 Ultimate Edition will be released in stores and online on separate two-disc DVD and Blu-ray sets on Tuesday, May 9. Retailing for MSRP of $24.97 (Blu-ray) and $19.97 (DVD), viewers can pre-order it online now via Shout! Factory’s online store at a discounted price of $19.97 (Blu-ray) and $16.97 (DVD).

This latest presentation of the 2016 World Series’ seventh game presents the landmark four hour, twenty-eight minute matchup in its entirety complete with four separate audio options.  Those options are the original TV broadcast audio, Chicago Cubs radio broadcast, Cleveland Indians radio broadcast and Spanish-language broadcast.

As an additional bonus, the two-disc set also includes highlights of the Cubs’ 2016 postseason wins on the way to the World Series and the parade that followed.

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 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.