Bronx Is Burning, Episode 1
This miniseries is quite fascinating, at least to me. Here are the key events depicted in the opening episode:
I. REENACTMENT OF THE INFAMOUS REGGIE JACKSON-BILLY MARTIN FIGHT AT FENWAY PARK, JUNE 18, 1977
There are two interesting things about how they reenact this. First, they splice real footage of the Jim Rice check-swing bloop single over Wille Randolph's head with a reenactment of the play by actor Daniel Sunjata as Reggie Jackson. Sunjata's play on the ball was exactly as I remember the actual play. The ball dribbles into short rightfield, and Jackson does not jog after the ball (as is later claimed), but runs at decidedly less than full speed. It sort of looks borderline as to whether he was loafing, but certainly I have seen worse examples of a lack of hustle (by guys like Manny Ramirez) that did not result in the humiliating benching of the player in mid inning.
Carlos May is sent in to play right field as Martin makes a pitching change, and as Reggie runs in from the outfield in disbelief, he and Billy come to blows in the dugout. Billy yells at Reggie for not hustling and Reggie retorts, "you are a used up old man! you want a piece of me, come and get it!" Billy then charges Reggie twice, but is restrained by coaches and players.
II. THE YANKEES ARE SWEPT BY THE REDS IN THE 1976 WORLD SERIES, AND STEINBRENNER IS DETERMINED TO AVENGE THE DEFEAT
The episode then jumps back in time, first to George's signing of Billy Martin in July 1975 after he is fired by the Texas Rangers, and then fast forwards to the Yankees' sweep in the 1976 World Series by the Cincinnato Reds.
What's interesting is the depiction of a meeting right after the 1976 World Series sweep between George Steinbrenner, Billy Martin and Gabe Paul, who was then Yankees GM. There is a discussion of how to improve the team, and both Martin and Paul tell George that the Yankees need a power hitter to protect Munson, and a shortstop, because Fred "Chicken" Stanley, the 1976 starting SS, was deemed not to be major league calibre (and he wasn't). The discussion then focuses on 3 players: Bobby Grich, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Rudi. Martin wants Rudi, because he feels the Yankees lineup is overloaded with lefthanded hitters and Rudi is a better outfielder than Reggie. Steinbrenner agrees that Grich should be the primary free agent target, but says that if Grich signs with the Angels (as he does, reportedly because Steinbrenner "threatened" him) Reggie should be the primary target. Martin complains that Reggie is a weak outfielder and not a team player, and that a righthanded hitter is needed. He greatly favors Rudi over Reggie.
III. THE YANKEES SIGN REGGIE, 5 YEARS @ $3 MILLION
Several interesting things are discussed here. First, Padres owner Ray Kroc, then owner of the McDonald's empire, offers Reggie more money than the Yankees do. In a series of interesting meetings, Steinbrenner, portrayed by Oliver Platt as a fast talking hustler of a salesman, denigrates the Kroc offer by explaining to Reggie that he will make far more in endorsement money with the Yankees than the Padres will ever pay him. Reggie says to George, "you can make that happen for me?" George says, "I don't need to make anything happen. It will happen on its own. We are 2 blocks away from Madison Avenue. This is New York- the big stage!"
IV. "THE STRAW THAT STIRS THE DRINK" INTERVIEW
The last interesting highlight is a reenactment of the legendary Sport Magazine interview in which Reggie is quoted as saying "I am the straw that stirs the drink, Munson can only stir it bad." The interview takes place in the Banana Boat Bar, where Reggie meets Robert Ward of Sport magazine. Also at the bar that night are Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle. Whitey asks Reggie for his T shirt and Reggie strips off his T shirt, gives it to Whitey and then gets Whitey's cashmir sweater in return.
In the interview, Reggie clearly has had a few drinks and is clearly baited into saying controversial stuff by the crafty Ward. As depicted in the miniseries, Reggie says everything he is quoted as saying in Sport Magazine, despite his later repeated denials.
Interestingly, in a "behind the scenes" segment right after the episode, the real Reggie and the real Ward are both interviewed about what took place that night at the Banana Boat. Not surprisingly, they have very different versions of who said what. According to Reggie, Ward came up with the "straw that stirs the drink" line, and Reggie merely voiced his drunken agreement with the line. Ward claims Reggie spoke the words. I guess the viewer will have to decide who is right!
One other thing- the episode does show who was the backup catcher on the 1977 Yankees, and also Reggie's only friend on the team - Fran Healy.
