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Upcoming MLB schedule: Sunday Night Baseball (May 10) Monday Night Baseball (May 11) Wednesday Night Baseball Baseball Tonight |
Following are highlights from this week’s Major League Baseball coverage on ESPN:
Carl Crawford ‘Steals’ The Show:
Special Highlight Package, Live Interview and Studio Demo Capture Record Day
On the night Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford stole a record-tying six bases, ESPN’s Baseball Tonight featured a special highlight package showcasing his performance. The show also included a live phone interview with Crawford, along with a demonstration by Hall of Famer and Baseball Tonight analyst Dave Winfield providing insight into reading the pitcher during steal attempts. ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote it is within reason Crawford could break the century mark this season.
Throughout the week, Baseball Tonight also continued to deliver live phone interviews with MLB newsmakers including: Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer (on the night he hit a home run in his return from the disabled list); Tampa Bay starting pitcher Matt Garza (after an impressive outing against the Boston Red Sox); and Chicago Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot, who hit a grand slam earlier in the evening.
John Kruk Provides “Inside Edge Virtual Batters Zone” Demo
ESPN analyst John Kruk used “Inside Edge Virtual Batters Zone” technology to analyze Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz’s struggles in hitting fastballs so far this season. “Inside Edge Virtual Batters Zone” was also used by analyst Chris Singleton to demonstrate San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez’s fundamentals and by analyst Eduardo Perez in evaluating St Louis’ Albert Pujols and his approach at the plate.
Sunday Night Baseball In-Game Interview with Josh Hamilton
ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball included a live in-game interview with Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, who is currently on the disabled list. The telecast also featured live in-game interviews with both managers – Ozzie Guillen (Chicago White Sox) and Ron Washington (Texas).
Sunday Night Baseball Cameras Capture the Moment
ESPN’s production crew provided the definitive camera views when Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz hit a ball off the top of the centerfield wall.
SNB Outlines Texas Rangers Hitting Coach’s Keys to Batting Success
Sunday Night Baseball included discussion on Texas Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo’s keys to success in the batter’s box, plus a video highlight of Rangers third baseman Michael Young following his instruction to a tee.
Importance of Defensive Efficiency
ESPN’s Peter Gammons recently noted the importance of defensive efficiency and its significance in identifying reasons for certain teams establishing strong starts this season (Detroit, L.A. Dodgers, Pittsburgh, Seattle, etc.)
April Awards Presented on Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight’s final show of April including analysts Eduardo Perez, Eric Young and Buster Olney dishing out a series of awards for the best performances during the first month of the season including:
| A.L. MVP | Eduardo Perez & Eric Young – Kevin Youkilis (Boston) |
| N.L. MVP | Perez – Albert Pujols (St. Louis); Young – Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego) |
| A.L. Cy Young | Perez & Young – Zack Greinke (Kansas City) |
| N.L. Cy Young | Perez – Johan Santana (N.Y. Mets); Young – Chad Billingsley (L.A. Dodgers) |
| A.L. Breakout Player | Perez – Adam Lind (Toronto); Young – Adam Jones (Baltimore) |
| N.L. Breakout Player | Perez – Daniel Murphy (N.Y. Mets); Young – Dexter Fowler (Colorado) |
| A.L. Best Player, New Team | Perez – Nick Swisher (N.Y. Yankees); Young – Bobby Abreu (L.A. Angels) |
| N.L. Best Player, New Team | Perez – Raul Ibanez (Philadelphia); Young – Adam Dunn (Washington) |
| A.L. Unsung Hero | Buster Olney – Frank Francisco (Texas) |
| N.L. Unsung Hero | Olney – Jorge Cantu (Florida) |
Tracking the Gems
Fans can now track “Web Gems” throughout the season on the Baseball Tonight Clubhouse page on ESPN.com. The page is updated each Monday with the latest information including leaderboards for the most Web Gems by team and individual. There is also be a points-based system, in which the most points are awarded for the best Web Gems each night. Detroit Tigers third baseman currently leads the majors with seven Web Gems and 22 accumulated points, while the Tampa Bay Rays lead all teams with nine Web Gems (with the Red Sox and Royals each tallying eight for second place).
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