Episode 6: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
See previous episode recaps:
#5 | #4 | #3 | #2
This is the first episode that’s all wall-to-wall baseball. If you want to watch a movie about the New York Yankees, that’s cool. But if you planned on seeing the Yankees’ story blended into 1977 current events - as promised - forget it.
There’s footage of Ed Koch scoring big in the NYC mayoral primary, and a recollection of President Carter visiting bombed out parts of the city, but that’s about it. As we learned from the “Son of Sam” episodes (that plotline is now basically non-existent), there’s no elegant way to meld the stories. Many of you have suggested the film should have focused on baseball only — and been four hours instead of eight. I think you’re right. But this film is still one heck of a guilty pleasure.
SUMMARY
:: The Yankees clinch the AL East and head into the championship series against the heartbreak Kansas City Royals. The press continues to paint Billy Martin (John Turturro) as a guy one crappy inning away from getting fired.
:: Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) takes an entertaining side trip during the series … to visit his daughter in college at Chapel Hill. While there, he catches Game #4 of the series with a couple of undergrads.
:: Fearing Reggie Jackson’s (Daniel Sunjata) ineffectiveness against K.C. pitcher Paul Splittorff, Martin sits him for Game #5. And demands that Fran Healy (Loren Dean) break the news to Reggie. Jackson steps up big, on and off the field.
INTERVIEW EXTRAS
There’s a 20-second or so soundbite from Fran Healy, regarding Martin’s odd Game #5 request. Healy manned up to talk to his buddy Reggie (Martin was too afraid of Jackson.) He describes Jackson as an angry, disappointed guy who ultimately handled it like a gentleman.
Other Posts of Interest
- ESPN’s “The Bronx Is Burning”: Episode #3 Recap
- Episode Summary #1: Yankees Miniseries “The Bronx is Burning”
- Episode 7: ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Episode #2 Summary: Yankees ESPN Miniseries “The Bronx Is Burning”
- Final Episode: ESPN’s The Bronx Is Burning
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