[DTQ_Blue]

Just saw a portion of a broadcast called "Oriolies Classics" on the local sports network here in the DC area. The broadcast was game 5 of the 1970 WS, Orioles vs Reds. Many things I saw fascinated me as a long time baseball fan and recent umpire.

First the game, which was the clincher of the series was a day game. The broadcast was the NBC national telecast. Gowdy and someone else who I couldn't ID did the game. No analysis, strategy discussions whatsoever by the guys in the booth during the game. Just telling you what happened. No tech stuff, i.e., ball tracker, strike zone box either, just play by play. Orioles left side of infield was unreal BTW, and was probably the difference in the series.

Umpires all wore sport coat type jackets. BUs, skinny ties. I couldn't tell for sure, but looked like PU was wearing a soft protector that could be seen from the top of his jacket. Looked like the foam ribs showing at the top. I have a hard time imagining calling MLB w/a soft protector.

No punch outs on strike 3 looking. He just put up the right arm.

Weaver was in his 3rd season of managing. His first post season in 69 was a disaster given what the expectations were vs the Mets, and his doubters were many. The Orioles won the game and the series 4-1, and the broadcast went into the winning locker room. Weaver was visibly shaking as if he couldn't believe that they actually won. Imagine a future HOF manager being that unsure of himself early in his career.

Sparky Anderson showed up in the Orioles clubhouse and praised the Orioles and Weaver. At that time, Sparky also had several more seasons of post season failure ahead of him, and yes they were saying the Reds couldn't win the big one prior to '75. He good naturedly said to Brooks Robinson that someone ought to shoot him.

In the locker room segment nothing was rushed. Orioles broadcaster Chuck Thompson got almost every team member on camera if only for second or two, and even the batboy. That day was probably the highlight of that kid's life, but moments like that are not important enough to make it onto network TV anymore. If I recall, back then the network would involve the local broadcasters of the participating teams almost every year in the WS so the whole country got to feel some of the local spirit. Thompson also said that the Reds had the look of a team that would be in many more WS to come. That was the pre Morgan, Griffey, Driessen Reds too.

At the very end of the locker room segment, Thompson and Tony Kubek did about a minute of analysis from the locker room as to why the Orioles won the series and that was it for analysis.

I guess back then the game was more about the players, their supporting cast, the city, etc and less about the pundits, analysts, experts, blah blah.

Seeing the way the game was broadcast I had mixed feelings about all the analysis that we get today with McCarver, Morgan, ESPN etc. I think that most current day viewers don't have a clue as to what they are saying and probably find it to be alienating. Maybe that's why baseball ratings are tanking. However, if one really wants to learn the fine points of the game and become its student, it gives you a lot to think about. My generation that grew up watching baseball in the 60s and 70s didn't have that opportunity to learn the game in that way.

Thanks for reading this ramble.