Advertisement

Diane Pucin’s live commentary on how TBS is handling the telecast of Dodgers-Phillies Game 3

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Of course he caught it

Camera right on it as Carlos Ruiz leaned over the Phillie dugout railing and caught Ronnie Belliard’s foul ball for the merciful final out of the 11-0 Philadelphia win. But even Craig Sager can’t make Cliff Lee give up any quotes other than ‘It went really well,’ in the on-field interview. And from Ryan Howard, this insight: ‘It’s the playoffs.’ Yes, yes it is. Someone let the Dodgers know.


Philly fans getting un-slumbered

Advertisement

As Manny Ramirez struck out in the top of the seventh you could hear the suddenly lively crowd chanting ‘You took steroids.’ Also saw a brief glimpse of fan putting down a sign that referenced Manny and steroids.

NBC is smiling

Don’t even know the score of the Bears-Falcons Sunday Night Football game but whatever it is, it is likely going to kick ratings butt over this game. I would imagine even Dodger fans are switching over. Oh, Falcons up 14-7. That thunk you heard was the sound of both Pedro Feliz’’s triple off the scoreboard and of TBS execs’ heads hitting the table.

The Dodgers bring quiet

It’s hard to do but the Dodgers have bored even the frantic Philly fans into a dulled silence. They would have enjoyed seeing the close up camera work on the face of Shane Victorino when his bat went into the stands. Victorino truly looked horrified at the damage he might have caused. Since Victorino was wearing a microphone you could hear him telling the endangered fan that he would get another bat. And nice move by Victorino in handing another bat to the fan. Though, as someone who knows how easily a Philly fan’s anger can be raised, said, ‘I might have waited until after the game to give the fan a bat.’

If TBS could have two more cameras...

We have a couple of suggestions: Philly-Cam, focused on the first base and right field foul line to convey the power and fury of all the rocket shots the Phils’ are hitting that way. And Dodger-Cam, on isolation, to convey the puzzlement, dismay, despair, etc., on the face of pitching coach Rick Honeycutt as he deals with the overmatched Dodger pitcher of the moment.

Understatement of the night

Advertisement

Chip Caray said, as Joe Torre was out on the mound to bring in his third pitcher of the night, in the bottom of the second, with his Dodgers already losing 6-0, ‘So this game has not gone at all the way Joe Torre would have hoped.’ No, chances are this is not what Torre was hoping for.

Shane Victorino says stay warm and good luck

TBS has Phillie Shane Victorino wearing a microphone tonight. When he was at first base in the first, he told James Loney to stay warm and also wished Loney good luck. And then Victorino soon took off and stole second. Maybe his tailwind warmed Loney a bit.

If only

TBS analyst Ron Darling said, after the Phillies’ Carlos Ruiz doubled in the bottom of the second, ‘The Phillies have hit for the cycle in the first eight hitters.’ Not good for the Dodgers. But nice tidbit by Darling.

Dodgers fans shiver and it’s not from the cold

It’s from the TBS graphic that showed Ryan Howard was 5 for 7 with RISP (runners in scoring position). The graphic came up with two Phillies on base. But not for long. Howard tripled, two runs scored, now Howard is 6 for 8 with RISP. If you see that graphic again, the Dodgers may be in trouble.

Advertisement

Oh oh

Craig Sager is showing us the Phillies supply of those hood-mask things. Ask Erick Aybar, Robinson Cano and Maicer Izturis how those work. Sager noted that the hoods covered the players’ ears, making it hard to hear, and also their mouths which is a problem for the tobacco chewers. Because of the no-spit zone.

Beat LA

The Phillies fans were standing outside the TBS set shouting loud and hard, ‘Beat LA.’ Isn’t that only a Giants thing? Or Celtics thing? It is 48 degrees out according to Ernie Johnson. Will we be seeing the hooded look on any of the LA or Phillie players?

You can follow Mike Penner’s live game updates here.

Advertisement