Ken Burns' The Tenth Inning

Tomi · September 28, 2010 10:53AM

Looks like the documentary is premiering tonight on PBS (check local listing) . Part 1 of 2. Will start from the 94 strike and on from there. I know it's pretty recent news but the guy has some of the best documentaries. Just a reminder for those who are interested.

lsutigers1973 · September 28, 2010 10:56AM

Thanks for the heads up. Tivo ready to go.

BunchOBull · September 28, 2010 11:24AM

Good call! I set the dvr for Tuesday and Wednesday last week, but I forgot it was on.

GoDodgersFan · September 28, 2010 11:38AM

I am watching it right now. Great look at modern baseball.

milbroco · September 28, 2010 12:02PM

Luckily my brother called to remind me about one minute before it started. I think I will watch the original this weekend.......

Tomi · September 28, 2010 12:45PM

Don't forget part 2 is tomorrow. I just can't believe Grimsley broke into the ump's locker room through the ceiling to retrieve Albert Belle's corked bat. Gotta love stories like that.

hammered · September 28, 2010 1:00PM

Just watched part I
Nothing groundbreaking there, no piece of video I haven't already seen many times, no piece of commentary I haven't already heard many times
I think I'll pass on part II

HoofHearted · September 28, 2010 1:45PM

Thanks for the reminder. I set up both episodes to record. I've got the first 9 innings on VCR I should transfer before the tape crumbles!

mosaic · September 28, 2010 1:46PM

Not thrilled that Griffey was so glossed over... or that the first two hours seemed to be heaping with excuses for Bonds, McGwire, etc.

But it was nice to see Torre summed up, to see the context of the Strike and Cal's Iron Man run, and to see them delve into the Latin explosion (and hint at Ichiro and other Asian players in tomorrow's segment).

digicat · September 28, 2010 3:24PM

<< heaping with excuses for Bonds, McGwire, etc >>

With Bonds, it's interesting to see WHY the guy was a cheat and an a*hole.

I don't think they gave any excuses for McGwire or Sosa.

It seems like the next episode will hit the steroid issue head on.

Pigs · September 28, 2010 3:33PM

Just think of the money that was made by teams in 1998 when Sosa and McGuire showed up at their stadiums near the end of that season. Every time I see the footage of McGuire going into the stands to hug the Maris family after breaking the record I wonder how they feel now. The show is great and can't wait to see it tomorrow.

VitoCo1972 · September 28, 2010 3:35PM

My guess is this will be what they say in part 2...

In 1998 Bonds stats were:

AVG .303
OBP .438
SLG .609
OPS 1.047
HR 37
RBI 122
SB 28

The guy finished 8TH!!!! in MVP voting.

I'm not making any excuses for Barry, but if you believe Ken Burns is making excuses for Bonds venture into steroids in 1999, this is where it starts.

VitoCo1972 · September 28, 2010 4:03PM

By the way, who was Tom Boswell referring to when he said the HOFer who took the "Jose Canseco milkshake" and hit more home runs than he ever had i his career that year? I've been scouring baseball-reference.com and the only one I can really see that would fit that description is '91...Cal Ripken. I can't imagine Boswell would "out" someone like Cal in this doc so he has to be talking about someone else. Any ideas?

digicat · September 28, 2010 4:47PM

<< By the way, who was Tom Boswell referring to when he said the HOFer who took the "Jose Canseco milkshake" and hit more home runs than he ever had i his career that year? >>

This guy does a good breakdown of possible suspects...

story

Elemenopeo · September 28, 2010 5:00PM

<< 

<< By the way, who was Tom Boswell referring to when he said the HOFer who took the "Jose Canseco milkshake" and hit more home runs than he ever had i his career that year? >>

This guy does a good breakdown of possible suspects...

story >>

Eight through five I could live with. Four through one would really depress me.

VitoCo1972 · September 28, 2010 5:22PM

Thanks Digicat, glad I wasn't the only one who did some digging. I don't want to think that about Cal either...but since I noticed it, I'm glad someone else did too.

markj111 · September 29, 2010 1:10AM

<< Just watched part I
Nothing groundbreaking there, no piece of video I haven't already seen many times, no piece of commentary I haven't already heard many times
I think I'll pass on part II >>

I have not seen it yet, but I'm sure I will watch both parts. I lived through it, but I am sure there is commentary I have not heard-interviews with Pedro for one.

digicat · September 29, 2010 2:34AM

I'm thinking that the interviews were done a few years ago. Omar Vizquel was interviewed in one segment, and he was wearing a Giants shirt. 2008 was his last year as a Giant.

VitoCo1972 · September 29, 2010 2:36AM

<< I'm thinking that the interviews were done a few years ago. Omar Vizquel was interviewed in one segment, and he was wearing a Giants shirt. 2008 was his last year as a Giant. >>

That is accurate...and also eliminates Andre Dawson from Boswell's statement...he wasn't a HOFer yet.

digicat · September 29, 2010 3:11AM

<< That is accurate...and also eliminates Andre Dawson from Boswell's statement...he wasn't a HOFer yet. >>

Possible. I don't know when Boswell himself was actually interviewed.

The only guy on that list who'd have the devil-may-care attitude to say something like that would be Rickey Henderson. Rickey's also the only guy on that list who played with Canseco before or during peek homer years.

However, it's also possible that Boswell misinterpreted what he heard. I'm sure Canseco wasn't ONLY taking steroids, and was probably drinking down harmless protein shakes and other supplements as well. When I was a kid, I remember my dad buying a workout book written by Arnold Schwarzenegger. My dad also got a tub of protein powder that was apparently recommended by the book, and he'd blend it up with various stuff he got at the health food store and called the concoction a "Terminator Shake."

MCMLVTopps · September 29, 2010 6:29AM

I have Directv with DVR...anyone know how to copy to DVD from recorded programs?

Tabe · September 29, 2010 7:38AM

<< I have Directv with DVR...anyone know how to copy to DVD from recorded programs? >>

You need a DVD recorder or a PC with video capture. There is no way to copy directly to a hard drive from your DVR (like across the USB port).

Tabe

Tomi · September 29, 2010 8:42AM

One of the replies on the story said Reggie Jackson. I think they were teammates in 1987. Very possible.

VitoCo1972 · September 29, 2010 9:16AM

<< One of the replies on the story said Reggie Jackson. I think they were teammates in 1987. Very possible. >>

Reggie doesn't fit the bill at all. He didn't hit very many home runs his last few years. The quote was very clear in stating that this HOFer hit more home runs that year than he ever had. We're basically talking 88-91 here. I'll be honest...because the Boswell interview was conducted before Dawson was elected, it's probably only Cal Ripken or Rickey Henderson. I think Sandberg is less likely because he wasn't playing in the same league and there wasn't nearly the crossover that there is today. Really scary to be honest. Thinking that Cal is a possibility makes me hate myself.

Edited for horrible grammar

digicat · September 29, 2010 3:53PM

Bottom of the Tenth was pretty good. I was surprised that Albert Pujols was completely left out though.

VitoCo1972 · September 29, 2010 4:09PM

<< Bottom of the Tenth was pretty good. I was surprised that Albert Pujols was completely left out though. >>

I don't think his story has been written yet with Albert. Everyone else that had time focused on them pretty much has their baseball epitaph written. I don't think Pujols does yet. He may be the best ever or less likely - something changes his story - PEDs/injury etc. Not trying to start that topic in this thread, but I do think his finale is yet to be written.

fiveniner · September 29, 2010 11:14PM

Is what we have been watching the last 20 yrs or so Baseball?Burns should have stopped at 9.Why ruin a great presentation.My opinion only.

Tomi · September 30, 2010 12:10PM

I think he focused on Bonds too much, but it was still enjoyable. I'm just wondering if the HOF'er who was drinking the Canseco juice will ever be outed.

Ken Burns' The Tenth Inning

Comments