Showtime's The Franchise

Basically, it's the Hard Knocks of baseball. This year it features the Marlins.

Riveting shit. I love when they take you inside the room when trades are made (Shocker. Miami's GM seems like a dolt). And the background stories on some of the players. And Ozzie's rant on Coconut water. And the time Derek Jeter didn't recognize Logan Morrison.

Anyone else watching?

 

I watch it every week and love it. The stuff with all the trades these last two weeks has been great.

I enjoyed last season that featured the Giants as well. I'm hoping this keeps going every year.

 

I enjoy the access to the inside baseball that this show provides. But I also take it for what it's worth: a shameless attempt by Samson and Loria to look like good guys and try to win the PR battle even as they're exposed as turds who -- if Jeff Passan is to be believed, and I have no reason not to -- fleeced Miami, got a new ballpark and are holding a fire sale.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/marlins-jeffrey-loria-david-samson-fire-sale-trade-hanley-ramirez-new-stadium-.html

 

This season has been excellent. I only watched bits of the Giants one last year, but they've done a terrific job with the Marlins. The coverage of the trades and "firesale" has been top notch. Plus, this season has worked out tremendously for Showtime in that in spite of all the luster, big-name free agents and new park, the Marlins have failed horribly. Makes for great TV.

 

Love the behind-the-scenes stuff of any team, whether it be pro, college or high school. The dynamics that make up any collective always get my attention.