MLB

Reviewing a Star Wars-themed Wednesday Night Baseball telecast thrills film buff Virk

Adnan Virk on the set of Baseball Tonight (Photo by Rich Arden / ESPN Images)
Host Adnan Virk on the set of Baseball Tonight. (Rich Arden/ESPN Images)

A noted sports and film buff, host Adnan Virk might be on an adrenaline high when he welcomes viewers to the late edition of Baseball Tonight (1 a.m. ET, ESPN2).

In Bristol, he and Baseball Tonight colleagues Dallas Braden and Eduardo Perez will be reviewing, among other MLB games, the Wednesday Night Baseball (8 ET, ESPN) clash between the host St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. It is Star Wars™ Night at Busch Stadium, and the telecast will feature special Star Wars elements – iconic film footage, music, bumpers featuring characters from the upcoming Disney XD animated series Star Wars Rebels, even a baseball-themed scroll similar to the film opens.

In St. Louis, Jon Sciambi will call the action for the full national telecast with analysts Rick Sutcliffe and Doug Glanville. There’s no advance word about any of the announcers illustrating their points via light sabers.

For Virk, who has shared his love and knowledge of film with Front Row readers on previous occasions, this is a special night.

“As someone who’s a fan of all things movies and baseball, I’m thrilled to see Wednesday Night Baseball tackle a “Star Wars”-themed production,” Virk said. “If I was working the game, I would – of course – be dressed up as an Ewok, or R2-D2, since [they’re] both short and can be obnoxious.”

In the Q&A below, Virk shares a few more of his thoughts on sports and movies.

Favorite Team/Sport Moment: Baseball, particularly the 1991 World Series [the Minnesota Twins edged the Atlanta Braves]. Just an unbelievable narrative: Both teams went from last to first; every game seemingly was decided by one run; [former Twins outfielder] Kirby Puckett’s legendary Game 6, including [announcer] Jack Buck’s immortal “See ya tomorrow night” home run call; and [former Twins pitcher] Jack Morris tossing 10 innings in a Game 7 shutout. I actually purchased the DVDs four years ago and watched the entire series again, as if I was 13.

Favorite season of year: Fall. Chill in the air, playoff baseball, football is back and some quality Oscar-bait movies at the multiplex.

Favorite TV show: “The Larry Sanders Show.” I had no idea how accurate this HBO show was about television prior to working in the business. It’s uncanny and was clearly ahead of its time.

One book everyone should read: “Easy Riders, Raging Bulls” by Peter Biskind. A tawdry tale of the 70’s era of filmmakers who changed cinema with their inspired bravado and hard-livin’ ways away from the set.

Favorite hobby: I don’t hunt, fish, golf, or contemplate the universe. I just watch movies. Any cinema with the whiff of critical acclaim to it, I have probably seen or is on my list.

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