MLB Network to premiere "The Next Knuckler" starring former quarterbacks
Starting on February 13th at 9 PM, MLB Network will debut their first-ever reality competition series: The Next Knuckler. Five former quarterbacks will be taught how to throw the knuckleball by former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, with the grand prize of the show being an invitation to Spring Training with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The show will be hosted by Kevin Millar (ugh), and features cameos from RA Dickey, Charlie Hough, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and 15-year old little leaguer Chelsea Baker. Here's a video preview...
The five former quarterbacks competing are...
-John David Booty (28) from USC
-Josh Booty (37) from LSU, the fifth overall pick by the Marlins in 1994
-Doug Flutie (50) from Boston College
-David Greene (30) from Georgia
-Ryan Perriloux (26) from LSU and Jacksonville State
The only household name among the quintet of competitors is Flutie, who is actually older than both hosts of the show. These guys are all career football players (with the exception of the elder Booty who was a third baseman in the Marlins system), and even though knuckleballers tend to be on the older side of the age spectrum, it's not as if there's a ton of upside potential here.
The scheduling for the show is weird too, with the four episodes airing two per week in back to back weeks (February 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st). And... that's it? Four episodes? It's not as if anyone is going to be able to get emotionally invested in the show, and I highly doubt that whoever wins even takes part in a Spring Training game with the Diamondbacks... so what's the point? To illustrate how difficult it is to throw a knuckleball by trying to teach it to five semi-known quarterbacks?
This show seems like little more than a bizarre novelty (really, Tim Wakefield teaching Ryan Perriloux how to throw a knuckleball???) and I don't even know what MLB Network is trying to accomplish with it. But it may just be bizarre enough worth checking out.
This guy is a noob! Does he really think the Diamondbacks won't let the winner throw at least one inning? Does he not remember the San Diego Padres letting Garth Brooks into a game? It's freakin spring training. Everybody and there mother gets an AB or chance to pitch.
Actually i read a statement by the Arizona Diamondbacks team President who said that the Arizona Diamondbacks were happy to help out, which means that the winner will more than likely pitch in an Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training game this year
Good God, does EVERY cable station have to carry a reality show these days. I bet a lot of people escape to MLB and other sports stations to avoid quote unquote reality shows.
Good Lord. Well, at least it isn't a sports show with Regis Philbin. Anything is better than more Kevin Millar.
