“This is as Real as it Gets” by Norm Brooks
Last night, as I was watching TV through the storeroom window at Best Buy, something airing on the MLB Network caught my eye: its first ever “reality” show, The Pen. As a baseball fan who is in touch with the harsh “realities” of life, I figured the show would be right up my alley.
“That’s one with carne asada, and one with chorizo…got that?”
And for the most part, the show delivered. I enjoyed seeing the psychology that goes into prepping for a relief pitching appearance — it’s a bit like the mental prep required for long-term fantasy baseball success. But I was let down by some of the “realities” that the players faced, and nobody knows “reality” better than yours truly.
“Fantasy” may have driven me to the streets, but it’s no fantasy when you’re spending a hot summer night in a public bathroom with an overweight schoolteacher named Edgar, just to get a decent Internet connection. And while The Pen may dub itself a reality show, I beg to differ. Money doesn’t grow on trees, Chan Ho Park, and not everyone can eat all the Del Taco they want. Some of us have to collect somewhere between 65 and 75 bottles in order to get a decent burrito.
So tune into The Pen if you want a behind the scenes look at the Phillies bullpen. But if you want a true reality show, I’ll be on the corner of Main and 6th tomorrow afternoon. Toss me a quarter and I’ll whistle “Take me out to the Ballgame” for you.
Category: Baseball
yeah, i thought it was awesome how they were getting drunk in the back of a limo and then decided to stop at del taco. sorta like me and my friends. except we don’t blow late inning leads.
@masshole. I was thinking the same thing. That was my favorite part of both episodes!