Living in New York, you learn that everything is possible and none of it should be surprising. 1977, especially, was one of those wild and crazy years that New Yorkers learned to expect the worst. From blackouts and riots, to colossal heat waves, it seemed like it couldn’t get worse for the city. It did, if you added a drawn-out bitter race for the Mayor’s office between the political heavyweights, Mario Cuomo and Ed Koch. To top it all off, the city was introduced to one of the most prolific serial killers in history, David Berkowitz. Berkowitz, better known as Son of Sam, claimed he took his instructions from a barking dog when he stalked young woman at night, with his weapon of choice in hand. By the time the police was led to Berkowitz, 13 people had been shot, six killed, and his only response, “What took you so long?” This recipe for mayhem even stretched out onto the New York Yankees baseball field, or as it was known then, the Bronx zoo.
Mirroring the city, the Yankees were in turmoil. They began the year in one of the most disappointing fashions. Not only were they fighting to stay out of last place, but they exposed themselves to a daily dose of media coverage highlighting the tug of war between the three biggest egos and the strongest wills to ever wear the famous pinstripes. It was a season long soap opera between the owner George Steinbrenner, Manager Billy Martin, and their superstar outfielder Reggie Jackson.
When Reggie Jackson was traded to the Yankees, no one but Steinbrenner was satisfied. Martin didn’t feel Jackson quite fit the team’s mold, and felt snubbed when the Boss took him in anyway. Reigning MVP, Thurman Munson, as well as against the trade because he was promised he would always be the highest paid Yankee. And so the three-ring circus began, as Jackson not only added an outsized contract, and an even bigger ego, but added enough skill to take the limping Yankees to the World Series.
Inspired by the best-selling novel written by Jonathon Mahler, ESPN takes this drama, set to the background of NYC mayhem, and puts on the big screen. The Bronx is Burning, in an 8-episode mini-series, captures every details of the fiery 1977 Yankees season. Catch the latest episode every Tuesday at 10pm. (Don’t worry, if you missed the first few episodes, ESPN has weekly reruns.) (Channel 140/Available in Americas Top 100 and higher) The mini-series is just as seducing as the characters, as the superb acting mixed with an interesting non-fiction storyline, is enough to stimulate anyone, even if you’re not a big baseball fan.
While the Bronx is Burning takes you back in time, witness how players this sensational season are writing history. For instance, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants broke the home run record, surpassing legend Hank Aaron, with over 755 home runs. Mr. Hotshot himself, Alex Rodriguez of the infamous New York Yankees, as well became the youngest player thus far (a few days older than 32) to hit 500 home runs. At the rate he’s going, he will without a doubt knockdown Bonds to the snatch the Home Run King title. To add to this season’s baseball milestones, Tom Glavine of the New York Mets, won his 300th game as a pitcher. Not only have a handful of left-handed pitchers been able to accomplish this outstanding achievement, but it seems that Glavine might be the last to this for many years.
The Yankees, as well, can’t seem to get out of the spotlight as they made the most impressing jump to the top. They began the season losing game after game, reaching rock bottom. Distraught fans watched as their team lagged behind 13 games behind the Red Sox, looking as if they will never make the playoffs. Now the men in pinstripes crawled their way back to the top, inching closer and closer to making the playoffs.
You can catch all this excitement on ESPN or Dish Network's special programming in MLB Extra Innings – all the action your home stations don’t cover and up to 60 regular-season games per week!
