In April, Netflix faced tough time for its mishandling of an Opening Night game in Major League Baseball. And that was it before The abomination has happened — a three-part Netflix commercial and one-part baseball game. (A few weeks later, I shared my unsolicited opinion about the scene with at least one high-ranking Netflix executive. That, too, was probably a mistake.)
On Monday, Netflix will have the next MLB bat with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. Even a home run, in terms of production, wouldn’t make up for “MLB Opening Night,” but a little more tact would be nice advice for baseball fans.
On March 25, exclusively on Netflix, the New York Yankees crushed the home team San Francisco Giants 7-0. I was thrilled with the outcome of the match, but I was appalled by everything but the events on the field. “MLB Opening Night” featured a lot of Bert Kreischer (shirtless, of course), goofy players’ entrances flanked by dancers and vehicles most associated with the team’s cities (yellow taxis for New York and a trolley car for San Francisco), and John Cena plugging his new Netflix movie under the guise of explaining ABS (automatic ball strike).
It was a big ad for Netflix mixed with some baseball. After a lot of criticism, even Netflix has come to terms with its mistake.
“Maybe on opening night, we crossed that line too far,” said Gabe Spitzer, head of sports at Netflix. March and sports media podcast in May. “There’s probably been quite a few Netflix promotions. But at the same time, I think we’re also listening to what the fans are saying. We’re doing a ton of surveys, you know, before and after, and what those sentiments are, and I think overall it’s been incredibly positive.”
Tonight, Netflix hosts Home Run Derby, which is probably the only part of America’s Past Time™ that can do with some of the streaming device’s brilliance — “some” being the operative word here. What Netflix does best – other than documentary programming, in my opinion – is events. Netflix makes big deals look like greater Deals. Its global audience has a natural interest in baseball and everyone digs the competitions.
This year’s blasts beyond the confines of Citizens Bank Park will come from the bats of Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies, DH, 32 home runs in All-Star Break), Ben Rice (New York Yankees, 1B, 28 HR), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays, 3B, 27 HR), Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals, OF, 22 HR), Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies, 1B, 27H). 20 HR), Wilson Contreras (Boston Red Sox, 1B, 20 HR), Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox, 1B, 20 HR) and Jack Caglianoni (Kansas City Royals, OF, 14 HR).
Schwarber and Harper will be hometown favorites among Philadelphia fans. Schwarber is also the favorite to win the competition. And to the victor goes the spoils: the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby Series, a comically oversized ornament honoring the host city and America’s 250th birthday. Her charm features a casting of the Liberty Bell and 250 mixed-cut rubies, per Netflix. Best of all, it’s not glued to the Netflix “N.”
We can’t say the same for all the slick derby promotion. To help advertise the event, Netflix transformed the ice cream truck into the flashy mobile billboard it would create Pimp my trip Stop and pay attention. Adorned with a giant replica of the wearable trophy and more (fake) gemstones than your grandmother’s (fake) Fabergé egg, the car drove around the City of Brotherly Love handing out T-shirts and cold treats.
Monday in Philadelphia was sunny, 86 degrees — I wouldn’t even hate ice cream. Take it no further, Netflix (and MLB Productions, which is co-producing tonight’s event).
Unfortunately, that’s not really the Netflix way.
“The broadcast will also include a special appearance from the cast Falcon“, a Derby press release read in part. “Series stars Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Jimmy Tatro will welcome players to the big stage alongside legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.”
Of course I will.
Moonshots could make fans forgive the next marketing mudslide. Changing the home rule should help. For the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, MLB returned to a swing-based format. Hitters get 20 strikeouts in the first inning, 15 in the second, and 15 in the third. Over the past decade, the timer has (mostly) removed the sense of drama from the derby.
This won’t be Netflix’s last crack at a Major League Baseball marquee event this season. In exactly one month, he’ll be hosting the streamer MLB is in the field of dreams Game in the middle of a cornfield in Dyersville, Iowa. The annual game, played where the 1989 Kevin Costner movie was filmed, has become one of baseball’s most visually appealing events due to its lack of live customization.
Is it paradise? No, it’s Iowa. Let’s not make it hell, Netflix.
