‘Bronx’ makes for riveting TV

Recently, my Tuesday evenings have been spent deeply engrossed in the ongoing ESPN mini-series, “The Bronx is Burning.”

The eight-part program chronicles the life and the times of New York City in the midst of four significant events: the 1977 Major League Baseball season of the Yankees, 1977 Mayoral race, the tragic Son of Sam murders, and the city’s blackout.

Based on the 2005 book by Jonathan Mahler, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning: Baseball, Politics, and The Battle for the Soul of a City,” this one survives in large part because of the acting skills of John Turturro, who plays legendary Yankees manager Billy Martin. With a little make-up and a couple of fake ears, Turturro is Martin, right down to the Texas drawl and the cowboy gait.

All of this, of course, gets this film off to a good start, and it keeps the audience involved not only through the 1977 baseball season, which ended with another Yankees title, but also through the hot summer of serial killer murders, the politics of a heated mayor’s race, and, of course, lights out in July.

For the Pinstripes and owner George Steinbrenner, played by another well-known actor, Oliver Platt, the season was difficult in terms of team camaraderie from the moment all-star right fielder Reggie Jackson joined the club from Baltimore through baseball’s first re-entry draft.

In this film, Jackson is played by Daniel Sunjata, another fine actor. What makes this one shine, however, is the mixing of old footage with new film to the point where they almost become interchangeable.

Toss into that mix the archival footage of murder scenes and mayoral scenes, and you’ve got yourself a decent show.

Owner Steinbrenner was not pleased with the way the season ended for the 1976 New York Yankees, who were swept by Cincinnati in four games in the World Series. In typical George fashion, he went out and acquired Jackson for $3 million dollars. Next he added Reds pitcher Don Gullett from Cincinnati for $2 million. But he wasn’t finished yet.

George traded for White Sox shortstop Bucky Dent, a name that will forever live in Red Sox infamy. Outfielder Oscar Gamble – with all the hair – also came to the Bronx. And the final piece in the puzzle was pitcher Mike Torrez, who will forever be linked with the aforementioned Dent for his trade the next year to Boston. Torrez would give up the infamous pop-fly home run to Dent the next year in the one-game playoff game at Fenway Park.

The 1977 campaign was not all fun and games for the Yankees and Martin. This mini-series does a good job capturing all the highs and the lows.

Owner Steinbrenner’s temper combined with his “win now or else” attitude did not always sit right with Jackson and his teammates. And Reggie’s pompous demeanor rubbed his fellow players the wrong way most days.

And then, of course, there’s the volatile Martin, who didn’t like being held accountable to George, or anybody else for that matter. Turturro captures so closely the late Martin that one has to perform a double take or two to ensure which one of the gentlemen you are watching.

But make no mistake: This is good TV, especially for baseball junkies, who are always looking for that original touch in their late night television viewing.

I’m guessing there’s some post-film TV recognition for this one, especially for Turturro who is best known for films such as “The Flamingo Kid” and “Mr. Deeds.”

Turturro carries the film, and the rest of the actors often seem to just be along for the raucous ride.

30-Second Time Out

Always in search of a good summer camp for Maine kids, we’ve heard about Point Guard College at Bryant University in Rhode Island from PCHS of Guilford boys basketball coach Jamie Russell.

Russell sings the praises of this specialty camp.

For the price of $590 for the 5-day session, those attending get lots of basketball work and skill instruction.

Put this one on your calendar for next summer. Specialty camps are all the rage, and according to Russell, this is one of the best he has ever seen.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net