BOB COSTAS EXAMINES 40 YEARS OF THE DESIGNATED HITTER IN

BEHIND THE SEAMS: DECODING THE DH TONIGHT AT 9:00 P.M. ET

Interviews Featured with Renowned DHs Including Harold Baines, Billy Butler, Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas & Jim Thome

Documentary from MLB Productions Covers the Origins and Decades-Long Debate

About the Designated Hitter

Secaucus, N.J., November 25, 2013 – The 40-year history of baseball’s designated hitter is examined tonight in Behind the Seams: Decoding the DH, a one-hour show narrated by Bob Costas and produced for MLB Network by MLB Productions, premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The ratification of the DH in 1973, more than eight decades after it was first proposed within baseball in 1891, became one of the most pivotal changes to shape the game, and to this day it fuels debates between those who oppose it and those who embrace it. In looking at the position’s origins and those who rose to prominence or extended their playing careers because of the position, Behind the Seams: Decoding the DH features 25 new interviews with Hall of Famers, writers and historians as well as current and former DHs, including Harold Baines, Billy Butler, Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz,  Frank Thomas and Jim Thome, among others.

Baseball-Reference.com’s Sean Forman, SB Nation’s Rob Neyer, Fangraphs.com contributor Bill Petti and MLB’s official historian John Thorn also analyze the statistical impact the DH has had on run scoring in the American League and National League. Noted quotes from the episode are featured below.

Pro-DH

John Thorn, Official Historian, MLB: As a historian, I should be expected to embrace pitchers as batters, but this tradition has outlived its usefulness.

Billy Butler: You’re not really coming to the park to watch the pitchers hit. You’re watching the guys that are paid to hit, hit, and the guys that are paid to pitch, pitch.

Joe Mauer:  Would we rather want to see one of our starting pitchers hit or Jim Thome hit? I think everybody has the answer to that.

Anti-DH:

Cliff Lee: I enjoy the National League style of play a lot more as far as playing it. A pitcher is not just a pitcher, he has to play the game.

Mark Melancon: Strategy wise, there is so much more that goes into a National League game than an American League game.

Alvin Davis: The biggest thing that I missed was the feel of the game. Playing defense regardless of how good of a defensive player you are, the focus that comes from that actually helps you offensively.

On being a DH

David Ortiz: It’s not easy because as you get older, you start losing skills, but I feel like I’m a better hitter now than what I used to be seven years ago. Seven years ago, I was more powerful, the kind of guy that if you throw me anything in the strike zone, I would hit it out. Right now, I feel like I …. stick … with the plan that I have. I walked away from my plan before. Right now I just stay with [it] more. Every year that I get older, I just try to attach ideas the way that I can continue doing what I do and it’s worked.

Frank Thomas: You got to stay involved with the game. You got to get yourself on that top step so that you still get that feel that you’re watching every pitch from the opposing pitcher.

Fred McGriff: I always laugh sometimes at home when you’re reading the paper and they’re like, “Oh yeah, we’ll just make this guy a DH and that guy a DH and it isn’t a big deal.” But it’s tougher than people think.

Edgar Martinez: We had this machine that threw tennis balls at a very high speed. The guy that operated the machine, he used to put numbers on the ball. I didn’t like to swing, but I would track the ball and would try to bunt. In the beginning, I couldn’t see anything, but I did it every day …  and was able to see the numbers. Your eyes see the ball at 150 [mph] and then you go see it at 90 [mph], it helps you wait on the pitch a little more.

Ortiz on Martinez: I remember when I was coming up, I used to watch a guy like Edgar hit and I was like, “This is ridiculous.” I don’t think anybody could get to that level as a hitter. He was, I would say “perfect.” He’s a .312 career hitter. When you’re a .312 career hitter at this level, that means you pretty much got everything done.

Cal Ripken Jr. on Martinez making the Hall of Fame: If you acknowledge that the DH is a position then they should be considered for the Hall of Fame. You shouldn’t take away judgment on him because he hasn’t played in the field.

Costas, Kaat, Reynolds & Verducci Headline MLB 2013: Unwritten Rules Roundtable Show on Saturday, November 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Secaucus, NJ, November 14, 2013 – It was one of the most hotly debated topics of the year: baseball’s unwritten rules. Is it okay for a player to admire a home run? Are home plate collisions part of the game or on their way out? Should the game police itself? MLB Network’s Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, Harold Reynolds and Tom Verducci discuss retaliation, on-field celebrations, bunting during a no-hitter, stealing signs and how these rules have changed in the last 50 years in MLB 2013: Unwritten Rules, a special one-hour roundtable show airing this weekend.

Citing specific situations that took place during the 2013 regular season and throughout baseball’s history, Costas, Kaat, Reynolds and Verducci will also offer their thoughts on base-running etiquette and rules that should be added or further enforced in the game.

MLB 2013: Unwritten Rules premieres this Saturday, November 16 at 9:00 p.m. ET and will re-air on Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET and on Thursday, November 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Highlights from MLB 2013: Unwritten Rules include:

On retaliation:

Jim Kaat:  Pitchers don’t really know how to brush hitters back without hitting them. The object is to make them move their feet, send a message for whatever reason. … I think now it’s basically pitchers don’t have command of that real brushback pitch and, as a result, you’re seeing a lot of brawls.

Tom Verducci: What I have a big problem with and we really need to get it out of the game, I think, is retaliating because a guy does his job well. Somebody hits a home run and the next batter gets hit or that guy the next time up gets hit. … A guy is doing his job and you’re retaliating for a guy doing his job well.

On on-field celebration:

Verducci: Context is so important here. As a blanket rule that guys shouldn’t watch home runs, that’s nonsense. I’d like to see more of it.

Kaat: From my era, I still sort of like the motto of, “When you lose, say little. When you win, say less.” Willie McGee would sprint around the bases and I’d say, “Willie, take your time,” and he’d say, “Kitty, that pitcher feels bad enough, I want to get out of his way.”

Harold Reynolds: I came up at a different time because if I stood there, I was going to get hit the next time. These guys don’t realize the power of the baseball as a pitcher, and the fear of the hitter is not there. Maybe it is because of the arm guards and they’re not going to pitch inside. I think it comes down to respecting the game a little bit. There has to be some sportsmanship involved in this whole thing.

Verducci: If you’re a big home run hitter and you hit one 20, 30, 40 rows deep, you should watch it. Who appointed these pitchers the sheriffs of baseball?

Bob Costas:  A guy gets a big hit, he pumps his fist. To me, that’s all good. What I don’t like though is when the exuberance gets in the way of the first priority, which is to play the game. So now the guy is admiring what he thinks is a home run, the next thing you know is he’s almost thrown out at second base on what should be a triple. I’m not good with that.

 

On stealing signs:

Reynolds: I never had a problem with players stealing signs to pass to a hitter. …  Guys could not wait for me to get to second base and if I figured out the sequence they were using, I went back to the bench, we sat down and talked about it. As a middle infielder, I felt it was my duty that if I had a catcher at second base for two or three hitters, I’m like, “Time out, change our signs, he’s figuring it out.” So, I always thought that was legit.

Costas on bunting during a no-hitter: A key would be how close is the game, and also what are the standings? If your team is 20 games out, maybe you don’t do it, but if this game is crucial and if the game is close, then maybe you can bunt in a situation like that.

Verducci on collisions at home plate: It’s on its way out of the game and it should be. Think about it: if you were inventing the game of baseball today, would you allow a guy to be barreling down [a catcher]? A 250-pound guy, 220-pound guy running around full-speed into a catcher who is just, let’s face it, he’s a defenseless receiver equivalent in the NFL. Why would you allow it? You can’t do it at first base. You can’t plow into a guy at second base who has the ball. You can’t do it at third. Why can you do it home? I think it will be taken out of the game.

MARK DEROSA JOINS MLB NETWORK AS STUDIO ANALYST

Secaucus, N.J., November 13, 2013 – MLB Network today announced that after a 16-year career, Mark DeRosa has joined its roster of on-air talent as a studio analyst. DeRosa, who served as a guest analyst on MLB Network during the 2013 and 2011 Postseasons, will appear across MLB Network’s studio programming and make his debut on MLB Tonight on Monday, December 9, live from the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida.

“While I still had the opportunity to return as a player, it became clear to me that the chance to begin a career at MLB Network was too good to pass up, and I am very excited to get started,” said DeRosa.

Known for his versatility, DeRosa played six different positions and batted .268 with 100 home runs and 494 RBI in his career. DeRosa batted .358 with 10 RBI in 22 career Postseason games and was a member of the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants. DeRosa spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Atlanta Braves (1998-2004) before joining the Texas Rangers (2005-2006), Chicago Cubs (2007-2008) Cleveland Indians (2009), St. Louis Cardinals (2009), San Francisco Giants (2010-2011), Washington Nationals (2012) and Toronto Blue Jays (2013).

DeRosa joins former Major Leaguers Eric Byrnes, Sean Casey, Joey Cora, Ron Darling, Cliff Floyd, Darryl Hamilton, John Hart, Jim Kaat, Al Leiter, Mike Lowell, Joe Magrane, Jerry Manuel, Kevin Millar, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Billy Ripken, John Smoltz, Dave Valle and Mitch Williams as analysts at MLB Network. DeRosa can be found on Twitter at @markdero7.

2013 BBWAA AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Winners Will Be Announced Live Exclusively on MLB Network November 11 – 14

BBWAA Awards Week to Feature Live Interviews With This Year’s Award Winners and Finalists

Secaucus, N.J., November 5, 2013 – The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) tonight on MLB Network named the top three finalists in the American League and National League for the 2013 Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Awards.

Starting on Monday, November 11 through Thursday, November 14, BBWAA Awards Week on MLB Network will feature the exclusive announcements of the winners of each award in the American League and National League by BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell. The complete list of finalists and the dates for each award announcement are listed below:

2013 BBWAA Awards Finalists – All Award Winners Will Be Announced Exclusively On MLB Network:

Monday, November 11, 6:00 p.m. ET:

AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year: Chris Archer, Jose Iglesias, Wil Myers

NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year: Jose Fernandez, Shelby Miller, Yasiel Puig

Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 p.m. ET:  

AL Manager of the Year: John Farrell, Terry Francona, Bob Melvin

 

NL Manager of the Year: Fredi Gonzalez, Clint Hurdle, Don Mattingly

Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 p.m. ET:

AL Cy Young Award: Yu Darvish, Hisashi Iwakuma, Max Scherzer

NL Cy Young Award: Jose Fernandez, Clayton Kershaw, Adam Wainwright

Thursday, November 14, 6:00 p.m. ET:

AL Most Valuable Player: Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, Mike Trout

 

NL Most Valuable Player: Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew McCutchen, Yadier Molina

Hosted by MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger, BBWAA Awards Week will feature live interviews with this year’s award winners and finalists as well as BBWAA members, plus insight from MLB Network analysts Ron Darling, Al Leiter, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Bill Ripken and Tom Verducci. Each awards show will also include a segment analyzing the award finalists from a sabermetric perspective, hosted by Brian Kenny.

Throughout the next week, MLB Network will cover the BBWAA award announcements across Hot Stove, Intentional Talk , Clubhouse Confidential and MLB Tonight.

About the BBWAA:

Founded in 1908, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America was established to assist journalists covering Major League Baseball for daily newspapers. Its purpose is to ensure proper working conditions in press boxes and clubhouses, and to ensure its members have access to players and others in the game so members’ reporting can be accurate, fair and complete. Today there are more than 700 active members of the BBWAA working for newspapers, magazines and major web sites.

 MLB Network Offseason Studio Programming Begins Monday, November 4

Peter Gammons, Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal, Joel Sherman & Tom Verducci Featured in

New Weekly Studio Program Inside MLB Starting Monday, November 11

Secaucus, N.J., October 31, 2013 – MLB Network today announced that World Series champion and award-winning baseball TV announcer Ron Darling has joined its roster of on-air talent as an offseason analyst. Darling will appear across MLB Network’s offseason studio programming, which begins Monday, November 4, and make his MLB Network debut live on MLB Tonight on November 4 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Since beginning his broadcasting career in 2000, Darling has won two Emmy Awards for Best Sports Analyst for his work covering the Mets on SportsNet New York (SNY), and he works as a game analyst for Turner Sports’ MLB regular season and Postseason coverage. Over his 13-year pitching career, Darling collected 136 wins with a 3.87 ERA. He was named a National League All-Star in 1985 and won the World Series with the New York Mets the following year. Darling also won 17 games for the 1988 NL East champion Mets and was the first Mets pitcher to be awarded the Gold Glove Award in 1989. Darling began his MLB career with the Mets (1983-1991) and also spent time with the Montreal Expos (1991) and Oakland Athletics (1991-1995).

“Ron’s experience from his career on the field and his work on local and national baseball broadcasts give him a unique perspective that will be a great addition to our offseason programming,” said MLB Network President and CEO Tony Petitti.

Taking an in-depth look at the offseason’s news on free agents and managerial candidates, MLB Network will launch a one-hour weekly studio show called Inside MLB featuring MLB Network insiders Peter Gammons, Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal, Joel Sherman and Tom Verducci, hosted by Greg Amsinger and Paul Severino. Inside MLB premieres on Monday, November 11 at 10:00 p.m. ET following the announcement of the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award winners by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America live on MLB Network at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Starting Monday, MLB Network’s offseason lineup will feature Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds returning to host Hot Stove, the only television morning show dedicated to baseball, along with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar hosting Intentional Talk  and the return of Clubhouse Confidential, hosted by Brian Kenny, airing weekdays. MLB Network’s signature studio show MLB Tonight will continue to provide the latest news and interviews around the league throughout the offseason.

MLB TONIGHT & INTENTIONAL TALK TO AIR LIVE ON-SITE EVERYDAY

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD SERIES

World Series Champions Al Leiter, Mike Lowell, Kevin Millar and John Smoltz Among

MLB Network Analysts On-Site

Secaucus, N.J., October 21, 2013 – MLB Network’s extensive coverage of the 2013 World Series hits the road this week as MLB Tonight and Intentional Talk will air live every day from the studio and each World Series ballpark with previews, analysis and highlights of the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals matchup, plus interviews from Fenway Park in Boston and Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

• Two-hour editions of MLB Tonight presented by Bacardi OakHeart will air live at 3:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. ET on the day of each game, plus a live one-hour recap show after every game. MLB Tonight’s on-site coverage from Boston and St. Louis will be anchored by Greg Amsinger and Brian Kenny with analysis from Sean Casey, 1993 and 1997 World Series champion Al Leiter, two-time World Series champion and MVP of the 2007 World Series with the Red Sox Mike Lowell, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, 1995 World Series champion John Smoltz, Mitch Williams and Tom Verducci, who is covering his 27^th World Series.

• Studio coverage during MLB Tonight throughout the World Series will be anchored by Fran Charles, Paul Severino and Matt Yallof with analysis from 1980 World Series World Champion Larry Bowa, Eric Byrnes, Darryl Hamilton, Joe Magrane, Bill Ripken and Dave Valle.

• Kevin Millar, a 2004 World Series champion with the Red Sox, and Chris Rose will interview MLB players and celebrities as they co-host Intentional Talk presented by Jack Honey on the road every day live at 5:00 p.m. ET throughout the World Series.

• Hall of Fame award-winning baseball writer Peter Gammons, who is covering his 41^st World Series, Sam Ryan and Heidi Watney will report from each ballpark throughout the World Series.

• On off-days, MLB Tonight will air live at 6:00 p.m. ET, while MLB Network’s Path to the Championship will recap the latest World Series results.

• MLB Network will keep its social media followers updated during the World Series with the latest news, quotes, interview clips, photos and breakdowns using #MLBTonight and #WorldSeries through its presence on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also stay up to date by following MLB Network’s on-air personalities on Twitter.

·         MLB Network local channel listings are available at www.FindMLBNetwork.com.

GAME TWO OF THE 2013 NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES FEATURING THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES AT ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

TO AIR EXCLUSIVELY ON MLB NETWORK THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 1:00 P.M. ET

MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Jim Kaat to Call the Game with Sam Ryan Reporting

Award-Winning Actor Ray Liotta to Narrate Game Introduction   

Secaucus, N.J., October 2, 2013 – MLB Network will exclusively televise Game Two of the National League Division Series featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals with Bob Costas, Jim Kaat and Sam Ryan on the game call this Friday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. ET, live from Busch Stadium.

The telecast will be available across the country exclusively on MLB Network, including in the Pittsburgh and St. Louis home TV territories. Local channel listings are available at www.FindMLBNetwork.com. MLB Network will exclusively televise a second LDS game on Monday, October 7.

Award-winning actor Ray Liotta (“Field of Dreams,” “Goodfellas”) will narrate a special opening segment for MLB Network’s two LDS game telecasts on October 4 and 7. Filmed over two days earlier this month at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, the opening brings video of Postseason contenders Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Clayton Kershaw, Andrew McCutchen, Yadier Molina, Dustin Pedroia, Yasiel Puig, Justin Verlander and Adam Wainwright to life on the famous baseball diamond with the same rotoscope technology that was used to create MLB Network’s 2012 Emmy Award-winning opening “The Scrapbook.”

MLB Network will employ innovative 4K (Ultra HD) and X-Mo camera technology to provide dramatically increased resolution and clarity to replays aired during its LDS game telecasts. MLB Network previously used both technologies during its coverage of the 2013 World Baseball Classic and MLB Network Showcase game productions.

MLB Network will air 165 hours of coverage of the 2013 Postseason, including previews, highlights, analysis, interviews and press conferences across all of its studio programming. MLB Tonight presented by Bacardi will air live before and after every Postseason game, with reporters on-site at each ballpark. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones and longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson will serve as in-studio guest analysts on MLB Tonight during the LDS.

MLB Network will keep its social media followers updated with the latest news, quotes, interview clips and breakdowns using #MLBTonight, #Postseason and #WorldSeries through its presence on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also stay up to date by following MLB Network’s on-air personalities on Twitter.

RAUL IBANEZ, ADAM JONES, MARK TEIXEIRA, MARK DEROSA & KEN “HAWK” HARRELSON

TO SERVE AS GUEST ANALYSTS ON MLB NETWORK THIS POSTSEASON

MLB Network Postseason Coverage Includes Two Exclusive LDS Game Telecasts and

165 Hours of Programming, Including MLB Tonight Before & After Every Game

Secaucus, N.J., October 1, 2013 – Eighteen-year MLB veteran Raul Ibanez, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Toronto Blue Jays infielder Mark DeRosa and longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson will serve as Postseason guest studio analysts on MLB Network during the month of October. MLB Network’s 165 hours of programming covering the 2013 Postseason includes MLB Network’s two exclusive LDS game telecasts this Friday, October 4, with Bob Costas, Jim Kaat and Sam Ryan on the call, and on Monday, October 7, with Matt Vasgersian, Kaat and Ryan.

·         Harrelson, a candidate for the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2014 Ford C. Frick Award, will be the first guest analyst to visit Studio 3, with a two-night stint on MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight starting this Friday, October 4.

·         Jones, who appeared in the Postseason for the first time in 2012 with the Orioles, will make his guest analyst debut on MLB Tonight during the LDS on October 6 and 7.

·         Teixeira, a 2009 World Series champion with the Yankees, will appear on MLB Tonight on October 8 and 9.

·         DeRosa, who was a member of the 2010 World Champion Giants and appeared as a Postseason guest analyst on MLB Network in 2011, will join MLB Tonight on October 10 and 11.

·         Ibanez, who has made five Postseason appearances over his career including a trip to the World Series in 2009 with the Philadelphia Phillies, will work as a guest analyst during the League Championship Series on October 15 and 16.

MLB Tonight presented by Bacardi Oakheart will air before and after every Postseason game with reporters including Kristina Akra, Alanna Rizzo, Ken Rosenthal, Sam Ryan and Heidi Watney on-site at each ballpark. MLB Network’s daily Postseason programming schedule, including The Rundown, Intentional Talk and MLB Tonight, is available here.

MLB Network will keep its social media followers updated with the latest news, quotes, interview clips and highlights using #MLBTonight, #Postseason and #WorldSeries through its presence on Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also stay up to date by following MLB Network’s on-air personalities on Twitter.

MLB NETWORK TO AIR THE LYMAN BOSTOCK STORY THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Bob Costas Narrates Special 35 Years After the Major League Outfielder’s Murder

Bostock’s Widow, Yuovene Whistler, Speaks On-Camera For the First Time Since Her Husband’s Death  

Secaucus, N.J., September 18, 2013 – MLB Network will televise the The Lyman Bostock Story this Sunday, September 22 at 10:00 p.m. ET, an original program looking back on the star Minnesota Twins and California Angels outfielder who was murdered four seasons into his career at the age of 27. Narrated by MLB Network’s Bob Costas, the special marks the 35^th anniversary of Bostock’s death on Monday, September 23 and features the first on-camera interview with Bostock’s widow, Yuovene Whistler, since the night she lost her husband.

Through interviews with Bostock’s former agent Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim, Jim Fregosi, Bostock’s manager with the Angels, and several of Bostock’s former teammates including Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, 1979 American League MVP Don Baylor, Kenny Landreaux, Roy Smalley and Ron Jackson, The Lyman Bostock Story recalls Bostock’s rise to prominence as a hitter with the second-best batting average in the American League in 1977, and his free agency after the 1977 season, which brought him to the Angels. His contract made Bostock one of the highest paid players in baseball at the time of his death.

In what former prosecutor Jack Crawford describes as “the classic instance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Bostock was shot and killed in Gary, Indiana during a September 1978 road trip with the Angels to play the Chicago White Sox. The gunman, Leonard Smith, plead insanity and was spared jail time by being confined to a mental facility, only to be declared sane and released six months later. The controversial verdict ultimately led to a change in Indiana state law. At a time before the Internet, social media and 24-hour news networks, many people first learned of Bostock’s death when broadcaster Dick Enberg, who was the play-by-play voice of the Angels at the time, broke the news on the air before the Angels played the White Sox the next afternoon.

Quotes from The Lyman Bostock Story are included below, and additional quotes and advance copies of the program are available via MLB Network PR.

Yuovene Whistler on seeing Bostock after he died:

The worst ever was just seeing his lifeless body lying there and thinking, “What a waste.” It didn’t get any worse than that.

Whistler on her emotions following Bostock’s death:

I couldn’t even say that he was murdered. The words would not come off. He just “died.” Just admitting that he was murdered was very traumatic. Once I was able to work through my own personal pain and get clarity on that, it really was about Lyman and just his legacy.

Jim Fregosi on being in the Angels’ clubhouse the day after Bostock passed away:

I’ve been in this game 54 years and it’s probably the most difficult day I’ve ever spent. To be surrounded by that type of atmosphere, it is something I would never want to go through again.

Don Baylor on the day after Bostock’s death:

There was a photographer inside the locker room wanting to take pictures of [Bostock’s] locker, and somehow I picked him up and threw him out of the locker room.

Dick Enberg on calling the Angels at White Sox game following Bostock’s death:

It was horrific. I mean, who expects to go on the air having to announce that one of your ballplayers, someone that everyone cares about is dead suddenly? I mean, you came on the air and you started with, “We begin today’s broadcast telecast with terrible news,” and then just bluntly saying, “Lyman Bostock was murdered last night in Gary, Indiana.” We are not trained to handle a tragedy like that, are we? You think in all of baseball history how many times has that happened? Where a ballplayer plays one day and the next day he’s expected to appear, but he’s gone.

Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim on Bostock’s passing:

Lyman was instrumental in having the rules and the laws change in Indiana, so I guess in some ways Lyman still lives. But to me, that’s too great a cost.

About MLB Network:

MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans, featuring the multiple Emmy Award-winning MLB Tonight, live regular season and Postseason game telecasts, original programming, highlights, and insights and analysis from the best in the business, including Bob Costas, Peter Gammons, Jim Kaat, Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds. MLB Network debuted on January 1, 2009 in a record-setting 50 million homes and is currently distributed in 71 million homes throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to www.MLBNetwork.com.

Schedule Includes Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox on September 17 & 19, Plus Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates on September 20 & 21

Schedule Continues Lead Up to MLB Network’s Exclusive Telecasts of Two Division Series Games This Postseason

Secaucus, N.J., September 12, 2013 – With less than three weeks left in the regular season, MLB Network will showcase key matchups with Postseason implications next week, beginning with a showdown featuring the two American League Wild Card leaders as the Tampa Bay Rays host the Texas Rangers on Monday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Tropicana Field. Viewers in select markets will see the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves, who are looking to clinch their first division title since 2005, visit the Washington Nationals on Monday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The schedule continues when the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox host the AL Wild Card-contending Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET and again on Thursday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from Fenway Park. The Orioles and the Cleveland Indians currently trail the Rays by one and a half games for the second spot in the AL Wild Card race, while the New York Yankees trail by only one game.

The week concludes when the Pittsburgh Pirates, who clinched their first winning season since 1992 on Monday, host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, September 21 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from PNC Park. The Pirates currently trail the St. Louis Cardinals by one game in the NL Central, while the Reds trail by only three games.  Viewers in select markets will see an AL Wild Card showdown featuring the Orioles against the Rays on Friday, September 20 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

MLB Network’s game schedule through September 21, which continues the lead up to MLB Network’s exclusive telecasts of two Division Series games this Postseason on October 4 and 7, is available here. Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory unless otherwise announced. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming.