The changing face (and pictures) of baseball
Didn't feel like doing much heavy lifting today; that'll come next week. In the meantime, one of the running themes we've seen here is that of how much things have changed over the years. (Another theme is how much things have stayed the same, but we'll reserve that for another day.) Sports is one of those things that falls into both categories; the basics are still there—two sides compete, one side wins, the other loses—but sometimes it seems as if that's about the only thing that's stayed the same. And not only have the games changes, so has the way in which they're shown on television. Today's example is this rare color excerpt from a 1965 game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, telecast on WGN from Wrigley Field in Chicago. About an hour of this game still exists, including, fortunately, the finish, and it shouldn't take you too long to figure out the significance of the game.
I'm not going to ruin the suspense for you, though, so as you watch the broadcast, notice how different things are: not only the uniforms and the style of play, but the number of cameras used and the angles, the graphics (or lack of same), and the style of announcing, courtesy of two of the best around, Cubs legend Jack Brickhouse (pictured above) and famed voice of the Chicago Black Hawks, Lloyd Pettit. Contrast it with what you're apt to see on a given broadcast today, and see what you think.
If you could combine elements of broadcasts from then and now, what would you choose? Other than success for your favorite teams, that is. TV
Published on May 01, 2024 05:00
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