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What: “The Ultimate World

Series”

Where: Classic Sports Network

When: Next shows: Friday (Game 6 of 1975 series, Boston vs. Cincinnati, 4 p.m.; Game 7 of 1991 series, Minnesota vs. Atlanta, 6:30.).

Also, all seven games will be shown as the Ultimate World Series Marathon on Nov. 8: 1988’s Game 1 (Oakland vs. Dodgers), 1973’s Game 2 (Oakland vs. New York Mets), 1975’s Game 3 (Boston vs. Cincinnati), 1978’s Game 4 (N.Y. Yankees vs. Dodgers) and 1972’s Game 5 (Oakland vs. Cincinnati), and the two games listed above.

Classic Sports Network did sports history fans a favor with “The Ultimate World Series.”

Sure, it’s odd that all of the games chosen are after 1971--Bill Mazeroski’s monumental homer in the 1960 Series seems a notable omission--but every game shown has merit. And perhaps Game 6 in 1975, in which Carlton Fisk’s 12th-inning home run gave the Boston Red Sox a dramatic comeback victory over the Cincinnati Reds, is without rival.

The selection of Game 1 of the 1988 series seems a given as well.

But charming among the others is the final hit of Willie Mays’ career in Game 2 of the 1973 series, which helped the Mets beat Oakland. Mays closed his career with the Mets and his hit made up for some embarrassing moments in an error-filled game best known for prompting Oakland owner Charles O. Finley to try to fire second baseman Mike Andrews after the game for his errors.

And little-boy innocence was lost in the 1978 Game 4, when Reggie Jackson’s hip deflected Dodger hopes of beating the Yankees.

Others include Ed Armbrister’s run-in with Fisk in Game 3 of the 1975 series, Pete Rose’s clutch hitting and hustle in Game 5 of 1972 and the 10-inning pitching duel between Minnesota’s Jack Morris and Atlanta’s John Smoltz in 1991.

It is a good setting for a broadcaster such as Joe Garagiola, but he was curiously cast as co-host with Gary Carter. Carter, for all of his enthusiasm, comes off a bit like a used-car salesman. The used car is the 1986 World Series--arguably the best series of the ‘80s, but pointing out its merits undermines what he was purportedly in the studio to do.

For many, the best parts of this program are not the highlights, but the memories they conjure. It reminds you of a time when your mom ironed your number on your Little League uniform and you brought out your glove to listen to every game.