MLB Network Countdown Winding Down

With just one day to go before the start of the MLB Network (of which I plan to DVR for prosperity), we have two more news items before the 6 p.m. ET New Year’s Day launch. And this news release is a doozy.

The MLB Network launch is just over 24 hours away, so after this we will reveal one final piece of news tomorrow about the largest launch in the history of cable television, then we can all sit back and tune in.

Let the countdown continue……

2 …… BOB COSTAS TO HOST Q&A WITH DON LARSEN AND YOGI BERRA ON JAN. 1

Bob Costas, one of the most decorated sports broadcasters in history, will host a conversation with Don Larsen and Yogi Berra that will air on January 1 on MLB Network. Excerpts from the conversation will be interspersed throughout the airing of Game 5 of the 1956 World Series, where Larsen threw the only no-hitter and perfect game in Postseason history, at 7 p.m. Eastern.

Costas has been honored as Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association a record eight times. He also won the Sports Emmy for “Outstanding Studio Host” every year from 2002-2006, and has won nearly two dozen Sports Emmys over a 30-year career.

Costas is one of three legendary baseball television personalities that will air on MLB Network on January 1. Hall of Fame broadcasters Mel Allen and Vin Scully called the game, which will air on television for the first time since its original broadcast.

Here’s a link to a video preview of Costas’ interview with Berra and Larsen: http://mlbnetwork.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200812313730608

We’ll be back tomorrow with item #1. To recap, here’s our list of news items to date:

10. Barry Larkin Joins MLB Network

9. MLB Network to Install “Ballpark Cams” in Every MLB Stadium

8. PRIME 9 Debuts on MLB Network

7. Mitch Williams, Greg Amsinger and Jon Heyman Join MLB Network

6. MLB Network Uses the Latest Technology to Capture the Action

5. MLBNetwork.com Launches “Channel Locator” to Help Fans Find Channel

4. MLB Network Announces Hot Stove Studio Teams for Week One, Including New Baseball Insider Tom Verducci

3. MLB Network to Air Award-Winning Documentary “Baseball”

2. Bob Costas to Host Q&A with Don Larsen and Yogi Berra on Jan. 1

We know that MLB Network had hoped to hire Bob Costas either as a play-by-play man or a studio host. Maybe this will lead to a contributor role for Costas on the channel.