The Baseball Bunch

[thechefs2003]

Does anybody remember the TV show "The Baseball Bunch"? It aired in the late 70's on Saturday mornings. I used to love this show as a kid. They would have current big leaguers give tips to youngsters. I'd love to find copies on dvd.

[commishbob]

Wasn't Johnny Bench the host of that? I was a little past the target age for that but I remember it. I seem to remember that they featured the San Diego Chicken quite a bit.

[thechefs2003]

Yep I think you're right, Bench was a part of that and the Chicken was in it as well. Seems like it might have been on NBC.

[MadHatter]

I remember that show very well. Bench was always teaching baseball fundamentals and the SD Chicken would add comic relief. They showed a lot of bloopers on that show.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=le31JdFl0hc

[digglahhh]

I remember that show very well. Bench was always teaching baseball fundamentals and the SD Chicken would add comic relief. They showed a lot of bloopers on that show.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=le31JdFl0hc

Yeah, Bench and SD Chicken.

I had a couple episodes on VHS when I was a kid, I have no idea what happened to them.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I regularly watched the show when it was on, although a lot about it annoyed me. I didn't really care for any of the kids on the show, the little girl seemed to have a crush on each and every player that appeared, and there was that one know-it-all kid who could spit out facts at the slightest prompting. I remember when Andre Dawson was the guest, the kid started speaking to him in French because he played for the Expos, and Dawson just looked at Bench, confused. The show also tried to make Bench look as good as possible compared to the guests. He beat Frank Robinson in a HR-hitting contest and threw out Mike Schmidt at first on a bunt to demonstrate why the Reds decided to move him to Third. The action was always played out to the popular hits of the day.

Don't forget Tommy LaSorda was the Baseball Wizard.

[thechefs2003]

Don't forget Tommy LaSorda was the Baseball Wizard.

I forgot about that. I remember being a kid in Kansas City, I used to always hope and pray somebody like George Brett would be the guest.

[sixpointone]

Hi All,

I am new here to the Baseball Fever Forums and I'm posting on this thread as due in no small part to The Baseball Bunch I fell in love with the Game of Baseball.

In fact to this day Johnny Bench is my all-time favorite Player and the Cincinnati Reds are my favorite Team.

I loved seeing Tommy Lasorda as The Dugout Wizard and who can forget the antics of the San Diego Chicken. And pre cable TV era, it was one of the rare chances to see Stars from the vearious Major League Teams offer advice.

All that said, I truly hope one day these Shows will become available on DVD. And if anyone knows where I might be able to find such copies, please feel free to let me know.

All My Best,
John

[Captain Cold Nose]

Johnny Bench made a stop in Dayton last night on his book tour, and someone asked him about the show and its availability on DVD. It's something Bench really wants to happen, but apparently things like release waivers would need to be signed for those involved, the players, the kids, etc, for mass distribution.

Incidentally, the man is a very entertaining speaker. He actually seemed to want to be there last night, which is unusual for author book signings.

[RuthMayBond]

Incidentally, the man is a very entertaining speaker. He actually seemed to want to be there last night, which is unusual for author book signings.

I thought that would be unusual for Bench, from what I've heard

[Captain Cold Nose]

I thought that would be unusual for Bench, from what I've heard

Same here. But he was quite engaging. And really seemed to enjoy himself. He has a bit of an ego regarding what he's done, of course, but when you're solidly in the argument as greatest of all time at what you did for a career, it kind of goes with the territory.

[Brad Harris]

Anyone else see this thread title and start thinking "This is the story/of a lovely lady/who was bringing up three very lovely girls...."?

[RuthMayBond]

Anyone else see this thread title and start thinking "This is the story/of a lovely lady/who was bringing up three very lovely girls...."?

Well, didn't the show have Wes Parker and maybe Don Drysdale?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Well, didn't the show have Wes Parker and maybe Don Drysdale?

I don't remember Wes Parker, but I do remember Wow Don Drysdale.

And Rosey Grier, who taught Peter it was ok to play football and be in glee club.

Nobody taught me to know that glee club, while ok in practice, is about the lamest-sounding name for an organized group ever.

[RuthMayBond]

I don't remember Wes Parker, but I do remember Wow Don Drysdale.

And Rosey Grier, who taught Peter it was ok to play football and be in glee club.

Nobody taught me to know that glee club, while ok in practice, is about the lamest-sounding name for an organized group ever.

And don't forget Joe Namath!

http://www.bradyworld.com/sketch/stars/index.htm

[NewEnglandAmazins]

If a new Baseball Bunch show were to be produced, who would host it?

[Captain Cold Nose]

If a new Baseball Bunch show were to be produced, who would host it?

Bench was a good choice because not only was he a well-established player, he was a polished speaker, having worked PR for years for a local banking company. It would have to be a popular, well-established player with an engaging personality.

Nomar Garciaparra would be a good choice but he's hardly been what one would call a superstar for the last few seasons.

[commishbob]

If a new Baseball Bunch show were to be produced, who would host it?

Barry Bonds is looking for a gig, isn't he?


But actually Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn come to mind and fit the 'recently retired and media savvy mold'. Or, like Bench, maybe someone close to retirement like Mike Piazza? Griffey Jr?

[RuthMayBond]

But actually Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn come to mind and fit the 'recently retired and media savvy mold'.

Ripken would be awesome, and he would fit on the screen

<Or, like Bench, maybe someone close to retirement like Mike Piazza?>

Piazza is closer than you think

[Captain Cold Nose]

Ripken would be awesome, and he would fit on the screen

<Or, like Bench, maybe someone close to retirement like Mike Piazza?>

Piazza is closer than you think

I thought about Ripken, he'd be very good, and if it weren't necessary to have a current player, there aren't many who have his popularity and media savvy.

Gwynn would be good, as well.

[commishbob]

Ripken would be awesome, and he would fit on the screen

<Or, like Bench, maybe someone close to retirement like Mike Piazza?>

Piazza is closer than you think

Yeah. I forgot about Piazza being gone. Your sly swipe at Tony Gwynn made me laugh.

[RuthMayBond]

Your sly swipe at Tony Gwynn made me laugh.

Would anyone believe that, fewer than twenty years ago, he had forty SB, and 328 putouts from right field?

[Jermz]

Does anyone remember when they re-did the Baseball Bunch in the 90's with Reggie Jackson as the host? It wasn't as "scripted" as the original, and they didn't have a small group of kids that appeared on every show with different gimmicks (smart kid, girl, fast kid etc.) It was taped during Spring Training in Arizona, and it had players from Cactus League teams come and teach the kids fundamentals. I remember Will Clark, Matt Williams, Ryne Sandberg & I think Dave Stewart were on some of the episodes.

I have always wanted to the make a new Baseball Bunch. Updated versions with current players teaching the kids. Maybe have basestealing with Carl Crawford, power hitting with Prince Fielder, infield defense with David Wright, outfield defense with Torii Hunter etc.

The Harold Reynolds baseball instruction videos are great, and so are the "Ripken Way" ones. I would have thought Reynolds would have been the best choice for a new host until his ESPN departure, now I am not sure he gets the same kind of love in media circles that he used to. Gwynn would be good too. He does baseball instruction OnDemand from SD State Univ. field with help from his collegiate team.

I would think the best for a show would be Cal Ripken. Maybe even do the Ripken Brothers as hosts, they are very funny together, and have hilarious chemistry.

[RuthMayBond]

I have always wanted to the make a new Baseball Bunch. Updated versions with current players teaching the kids. Maybe have basestealing with Carl Crawford, power hitting with Prince Fielder, infield defense with David Wright, outfield defense with Torii Hunter etc.

Much better than basestealing and infield defense with Prince Fielder, and power hitting with Torii Hunter

[tmorss9]

Does anyone remember when they re-did the Baseball Bunch in the 90's with Reggie Jackson as the host?

That show was called "Play Ball" with Reggie Jackson. A pretty good show, actually. Made Reggie almost look like a decent guy. Seriously, though- He did a good show. It was in no way, however, involved with The Baseball Bunch