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.

PBS, PBS Distribution Score With ‘Baseball’ Re-Issue

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Distribution

The countdown to the midpoint of Major League Baseball’s 2021 season is underway.  The biggest names in the league will come together next week to put their talents on display in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.  The game will also determine home field advantage for the World Series.  With the season’s midway point almost reached and all eyes looking forward to the second half of the season, the upcoming break makes for a great time to also look back on the Great American Pastime’s history.  Audiences can once again do just that thanks to PBS Distribution’s recent re-issue of the Ken Burns documentary, Baseball.  Re-issued June 8 on separate DVD and Blu-ray box sets, the documentary is a wonderful presentation for any baseball fan.  That is due in no small part to its content, which will be discussed shortly.  The set’s packaging is especially important to address in this re-issue and will be discussed a little later.  The bonus content that accompanies the set is also of note and will be examined later, too.  Each item noted is important in its own way.  All things considered, these items make the set one more of this year’s top new DVD and Blu-ray re-issues.

PBS Distribution’s recent re-issue of the Ken Burns documentary Baseball is a presentation that any baseball fan will appreciate.  Its appeal is due in no small part to its featured content.  The content in question is exactly the same as that presented in the set’s original release in 2000 and its 2004 and 2010 re-issues (Yes, this is now the documentary’s third re-issue).  The content in question follows the evolution of “America’s Game” from the pre-Civil War years (the 1840s) all the way up to 2009.  Throughout the 23 hours which the program spans, viewers learn about how baseball has brought the nation together in some of its best and worst times.  It also ensures the history of the Negro League is thoroughly highlighted as part of the whole.  The story of Jackie Robinson’s impact on the league and its history is also part of the overall story, as is the impact of performance enhancing drugs in the late 90s and early 2000s.  Simply put, audiences who perhaps did not or do not own this documentary in its previous two releases get the original program – remastered – in this set.  None of the story is omitted, nor is anything added that was not in those releases.  To that end, audiences will be pleased to know that in terms of content, this latest presentation of Baseball is positive.  The primary content featured in PBS Distribution’s latest re-issue of Baseball is just one of its positives.  Its packaging adds to its appeal.

Baseball’s packaging is important to note because it is so ergonomic in comparison to that of the documentary’s prior releases.  Both the DVD and Blu-ray presentation spread the documentary’s 11 discs across three separate cases inside a bigger housing box.  This sounds somewhat bulky, but it really is anything but.  By comparison, the documentary’s 2004 DVD release was far less ergonomic.  It placed each “inning” of the story (yes, the story is divided into “innings” instead of “chapters.”  Got to love that marketing aspect.) on its own disc within a bigger box.  That means that said set was extremely large.  These new sets on the other hand, are far less space consuming.  Each box in this re-issue separates the set’s discs into a count of three, two, and six respectively.  The discs are separated on their own spindle and leaf separate from the other discs.  This protects the discs from one another, dramatically decreasing the chances of the discs being marred.  What’s more, it also ensures the set will take up far less space on audiences’ DVD/BD racks than that 2004 (and even 2010) re-issue.  Speaking of the 2010 re-issue, it separated the “10^th Inning” section as a standalone Blu-ray, while the rest of the documentary was still packaged as an overly bulky DVD set.  So again, what audiences are getting here in terms of packaging is a positive presentation in its own right, both on DVD and Blu-ray.  The packaging is exactly the same on both sets and far more ergonomic than that of the documentary’s previous releases.  It is just one more positive of this overall set.  The bonus content that accompanies the set rounds out its most important elements.

The bonus content that accompanies the documentary in its latest presentation is the same as that presented in the set’s 2010 re-issue.  Save for the update about the Red Sox winning the 2004 World Series title, all of the bonus content featured in that set is also the same as that in the set’s 2000 release.  So in other words, audiences get here, all of the same bonus content collected over the course of the documentary’s previous releases.  This means that no viewers will feel cheated.  The bulk of the bonus content is extra interview footage that did not make the final cut for the documentary’s main feature.  Among the most notable of the bonus interview footage is that which focuses on race relations in baseball’s history, asterisks related to PEDs, and the role of baseball post 9/11.  In regards to the matter of race relations, writer Gerald Early states that through much of baseball’s history, there was little attempt by the league’s heads to attract African-American audiences.  Fellow writer Howard Bryant expanded on Early’s comments, stating that instead of looking inward at America’s own African-American community, the league instead looked more toward Latin America and the college ranks.  He added (again, at the time) that this had been the trend over the course of the past 30 years.  On a related note, sportswriter Doug Glanville states counters that as he said “multiculturalism is the next level” for the league.  He was making the comment about the growing globalization of the game in regards to its reach and diversity in the league’s players.

In regards to the extra discussions on baseball’s role post 9/11, former Yankees manager Joe Torre joins Early, and sportswriters Tom Verducci and Selena Roberts to discuss how important it was at the time for the game to return.  Each points out in his/her own way that having the game return was fully necessary because it returned a sense of normalcy to the nation and helped to unite Americans, even if they were not Yankees fans.  As fellow sportswriter Tom Boswell best put it, “It gave us all something to rally around.”

The bonus commentary excerpts are only a portion of the more than two hours of bonus content featured in this re-issue.  Burns and producer Lynn Novick are also featured from their 2010 interview as they talk about how the documentary came about.  According to Burns, Baseball is for all intents and purposes, a “sequel” to The Civil War, another documentary for which he is known.  Novick ads her own comments, stressing that when Baseball originally aired in 1992, there was some trepidation because it aired right as the now infamous players strike happened.  The contrast of the strike and the virtual love letter to the game that was Baseball was stark.  That in itself is sure to make for some discussion among audiences.  Additionally, Novick raises discussion about concerns raised by the league’s heads when she and Burns came to them about making the documentary.  According to Novick, the league officials were concerned about Burns and Novick making the project “a hatchet job” and their changed opinions after seeing the finished product.  The concerns, according to Novick stemmed from the impact of the player’s strike on public opinion and the impact of the PED scandal on public opinion.  To that end, their concerns were justified.  It can be appreciated why the league would have been tentative about having this documentary released.  Keeping this in mind along with everything else shared in the interviews with Burns and Novick, and in the bonus interview segments, the whole of the bonus content makes for its own appeal.  When the appeal of the bonus content is considered along with that created through the documentary’s primary content and packaging, the whole makes this re-issue a positive overall presentation for baseball fans and those of PBS and Ken Burns.

PBS Distribution’s latest re-issue of the Ken Burns documentary Baseball is a positive presentation.  It will appeal equally to baseball fans and those of Burns and PBS.  That is proven in part through its primary content.  The primary content in question is the same as that presented in the documentary’s previous releases.  That means that whether audiences own the documentary’s previous releases, everyone will be on the same level in terms of that content.  The content in question takes audiences through baseball’s history, from its infancy in the pre-Civil War era up to 2009.  That is a wide swath of the game’s history.  The set’s packaging is also a positive for this presentation.  That is because in the case of the DVD and Blu-ray platform, the packaging is far more ergonomic than that of the documentary’s previous DVD releases.  The bonus content, like the primary content, is the same as that in the documentary’s prior releases.  As with that primary content, this also ensures that audiences are all on the same level.  The more than two hours of content adds its own share of engagement and entertainment for audiences.  When it is considered along with the documentary’s primary content and packaging, the whole makes this presentation one more of this year’s top new DVD and BD re-issues.  Baseball is available now.

More information on this and other titles from PBS is available at:

Website: https://www.pbs.org

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PBS

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://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 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.

Cubs, Brewers To Close Out Weekend Series Sunday Afternoon On TBS

Courtesy: PBS

The Cubs and Brewers will face off live this weekend on TBS in a National League divisional matchup

The National League Central foes will close out their three-game weekend series live in Milwaukee.  Coverage is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET.  Rich Waltz will have the call for Sunday’s game.  Analyst Ron Darling will provide additional commentary.

Chicago (26-19) leads the NL Central while Milwaukee (19-22) sits third, five games back.

Adrian Houser (1-4) is scheduled to get the start on the mound Sunday for Milwaukee.  His last time on the mound was Tuesday against Detroit.  He pitched 4.2 innings in the game, four hits, five earned runs and two walks while striking out six batters.  Detroit won the game 8-3, with Houser taking the loss for Milwaukee.

Alec Mills (4-3) is expected to start for Chicago.  His last time on the mound was Tuesday against Cincinnati.  Chicago blanked the Reds 3-0 in that game.  Mills was credited with the win, allowing only three walks and four hits, no runs, no earned runs, no home runs and striking out six batters over six innings.

Taking into consideration each pitcher’s record, the odds favor Chicago.  Add in that Chicago has proven just as good at home this season (16-12) as on the road (10-7), and that Chicago comes into this weekend’s series on the heels of another win Thursday against Cincinnati, the Cubs are the favorite to win.

Strengthening Chicago’s chances even more is that the host Brewers are 8-10 at home so far this season and 11-12 on the road.  On the other hand, the Brewers — who lead the Reds by only a slim margin in the division — come into this weekend’s series on the heels of a dominating 19-0 win against Detroit Wednesday night and a day’s rest Thursday.

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

 

Website: http://tbs.com

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

Twitter: http://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.

Cubs, Cardinals Close Out Series Live This Afternoon On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up their four-game series this afternoon live on ESPN.

The National League Central foes are scheduled to take to the field at 4 p.m. ET for the game in a special presentation of Holiday Baseball presented by Hankook Tire.  St. Louis (17-15) has taken two of the series’ games while Chicago (23-18) will look to split the series with the Red Birds.

Johan Oviedo (0-1) is expected to get the start for St. Louis in this afternoon’s game. His last time on the mound was Sept. 2 against Cincinnati.  The Reds won that game 4-3.  Giovannny Gallegos (1-1) took the loss for the Cardinals.

Oviedo pitched 4.2 innings in the game, allowing three hits, one walk and three earned runs while striking out five batters.

Kyle Hendricks (4-4) is scheduled to get the start for Chicago in this afternoon’s game.  His last time on the mound was on Sept. 2 against Pittsburgh.  Chicago won that game 8-2, with Hendricks credited with the win.  He pitched 6.2 innings, allowing one run, one earned run, and two walks on six hits.  Additionally, Hendricks struck out six batters and allowed just one home run.

Chicago leads the NL Central and is fourth overall in the National League, behind Los Angeles, San Diego, and Atlanta.  The Cardinals have defied the odds in the teams’ series, because the team has proven better on the road this season (9-8) than at home (8-7).

Chicago meanwhile has proven equally strong on the road and at home.  The Cubs have gone 13-11 at home and 10-7 on the road so far this season.

Counting the two wins so far against Chicago, St. Louis has won three straight while Chicago is now in a three game slide, so both teams will have a lot for which to play.

Matt Vasgersian will anchor this afternoon’s broadcast on ESPN.  ESPN analyst and MLB World Series Champion Alex Rodriguez will provide additional commentary.  ESPN Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney will have additional news for the game.

Along with its broadcast on ESPN, this afternoon’s game will also simulcast on ESPN+ and 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.

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.

 

Twins-Cubs Matchup Added To ESPN’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Schedule

Courtesy: ESPN

The Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs will go under the lights later this month live on ESPN.

The cross-conference showdown is scheduled to take place Sept. 20 as part of the 2020 season of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.

Coverage is expected to start at 7 p.m. ET.  Matt Vasgersian will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined by analyst and World Series Champion Alex Rodriguez for additional commentary.  ESPN Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney will have all of the game’s headlines.

The Sept. 20 game will simulcast on ESPN Radio nationwide.  Jon Sciambi will anchor the broadcast.  Analyst Chris Singleton will provide additional commentary.

The upcoming matchup between the Twins and Cubs will mark the first time in a decade that Minnesota has appeared live on Sunday Night Baseball.  The last time the Twins appeared on the program was Aug. 22, 2010 against the Los Angeles Angels.

ESPN’s upcoming Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell is actually the second game in what will be a double header day of baseball on the network.  The Oakland Athletics will host the San Francisco Giants in the first of the day’s games.

Coverage of the game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.  Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown will precede the afternoon game at a special time of 3 p.m.  Local blackout restrictions will apply for both games.

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.