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Baseball: A Film By Ken Burns Fully Restored in High Definition (includes The Tenth Inning) DVD & Blu-ray

$99.99 $89.99
Item #: WD2002
The complete Emmy® Award-winning story of America's national pastime from master storyteller Ken Burns is now fully restored! Baseball spans the quest for racial justice, the clash of labor and management, the immigrant experience, the transformation of popular culture and the enduring appeal of the national pastime.
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The complete Emmy® Award-winning story of America's national pastime from master storyteller Ken Burns is now fully restored! Baseball spans the quest for racial justice, the clash of labor and management, the immigrant experience, the transformation of popular culture and the enduring appeal of the national pastime.

Inning 1: Our Game (1840s – 1900)
On June 19, 1846, at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey, a team of well-dressed gentlemen, the Knickerbockers, play the first game of baseball. By 1856, the game is already being called ""the national pastime,"" or simply, ""Our Game."" But the nation is about to be torn apart. And, in the midst of the Civil War, there is one thing that Americans North and South have in common: baseball.

Inning 2: Something Like a War (1900 – 1910)
In 1894, a sportswriter named Byron Bancroft Johnson takes over a struggling minor league and turns it into a financial success. In 1900, he changes its name to the American League and begins talking about challenging the big city monopoly held by the National League. In 1903, the first World Series is played between the American League Boston Pilgrims and the National League Pittsburgh Pirates.

Inning 3: The Faith of Fifty Million People (1910 – 1920)
A steady stream of immigrants land on the shores of America. They instantly want to become American. To play the American game. But even as new Americans pick up a ball for the first time, even as the country endures a world war, baseball is trying to endure a decade that includes the meanest, vilest, angriest player ever to step onto the field and a scandal that almost destroys the game.

Inning 4: A National Heirloom (1920 – 1930)
The 1920s begin with America trying to recover from World War I and baseball trying to recover from the scandal of the 1919 World Series. America finds relief in the boom market and the Jazz Age. George Herman ""Babe"" Ruth is one of the best pitchers in baseball. But he loves to hit even more. In 1919, he hits 29 homers for the Red Sox, more than any player has ever hit in a single season.

Inning 5: Shadow Ball (1930 – 1940)
As America struggles to make it through the Depression, baseball provides them heroes. But the heroes do not come only from the Major Leagues. The Negro Leagues bring baseball to towns the Major Leagues ignore. They develop an elaborate warm-up routine in pantomime; throwing and hitting an invisible ball so convincingly, spectators can't believe it's not real. It's called ""shadow ball.""

Inning 6: The National Pastime (1940 – 1950)
When the war ends, Major League Baseball becomes what it has always claimed to be: the national pastime. At the beginning of the decade, Jackie Robinson's debut is still years away. Meanwhile, Joe DiMaggio sets a consecutive game-hitting streak that still stands. Ted Williams becomes the last man to hit .400. The once-lowly Brooklyn Dodgers win their first pennant.

Inning 7: The Capital of Baseball (1950 – 1960)
If you're a baseball fan in New York, you're in baseball heaven. Year after year, the Yankees are on top of the American League. Year after year, the Giants and the Dodgers fight for the National League crown. Starting in 1949, there is a New York team in the World Series for 10 straight years. And in six of those years, both teams are from New York.

Inning 8: A Whole New Ballgame (1960 – 1970)
The 1960s are a turbulent decade for America. It is also a turbulent decade for baseball. It starts with Bill Mazeroski bringing down the Yankees with one dramatic home run. Then, in 1961, Roger Maris pursues Babe Ruth's ""untouchable"" record. In 1962, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants are replaced by the New York Mets, who compile the worst single season record of the century.

Inning 9: Home (1970 – 1992)
America and the world are seeing more changes than at any time in history. And so is baseball. Free agency, multimillion-dollar salaries, the designated hitter, a shocking gambling scandal, a new all-time home run champion, a World Series victory for Canada. And yet, paradoxically, the game remains timeless—still played the same way it was in our fathers' and grandfathers' time.

Inning 10: Top of the Tenth (1992 – 1999)
In an age of globalization and deregulation, a cataclysmic strike over money and power brings baseball to the brink. Cal Ripken becomes baseball's new Iron Man, sluggers Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa smash records, and The Braves dominate the National League while the Yankees build a new dynasty. Meanwhile, players must make decisions about how far they are willing to go to succeed.

Bottom of the Tenth (1999 – 2009)
In the fall of 2001, when a badly frightened country yearns for normalcy, baseball helps provide it. In an epic battle with the Yankees, the benighted Boston Red Sox stage the greatest comeback in history. Baseball is more popular and profitable than ever, but suspicions and revelations about performance enhancing drugs keep surfacing, calling the integrity of the game itself into question.

Producer: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, David McMahon
Executive Producer: Ken Burns
Copyright Year: 1994
Rating: TV-PG
Director: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
Narrator: John Chancellor, Keith David
Writers: Ken Burns, Geoffrey C. Ward, David McMahon, Lynn Novick
Number of Discs: 11
Length: 1380 minutes

24 Reviews
H
Hezzy
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
10/30/23
I had this before but
Review by Hezzy on 10/30/23 review stating I had this before but
I had this before but it got lost in the process of moving.Had to get it again after a long wait.Good docu
L
LILLIAN
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
10/15/23
It was a gift, and
Review by LILLIAN on 10/15/23 review stating It was a gift, and
It was a gift, and the person who received it was very happy with it, and surprised as well
L
Linsley
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
09/24/23
I gifted it after viewing
Review by Linsley on 09/24/23 review stating I gifted it after viewing
I gifted it after viewing the series!
M
Michael
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
09/12/23
Baseball:Ken Burns
Review by Michael on 09/12/23 review stating Baseball:Ken Burns
First rate documentary about the history of the game of baseball. From beginning to present day the wonderful film footage and sounds and commentary are well done. Love it ! It is also a great teaching resource to anyone who is ignorant of the beginning s of the game. *****
T
Thomas
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/30/23
Baseball again
Review by Thomas on 08/30/23 review stating Baseball again
This is a great series. I bought it years ago on VHS which I can't play now. Seeing it again with added features was fantastic.
F
FRANKIE
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/10/23
Great gifts!
Review by FRANKIE on 07/10/23 review stating Great gifts!
Great gifts!
W
William
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
05/19/23
Baseball - Burns
Review by William on 05/19/23 review stating Baseball - Burns
Excellent delivery (very quick), excellent quality, and content was excellent. I had seen many of the games highlighted in the documentary and brought back many great memories.
E
E. J.
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
01/13/23
It was a gift, happily
Review by E. J. on 01/13/23 review stating It was a gift, happily
It was a gift, happily received
F
FLORENCE
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
01/10/23
American Baseball
Review by FLORENCE on 01/10/23 review stating American Baseball
Saw it on TV, bought it for my 10 yr. old grandson, and his New Zealand Daddy to view together. My grandson, plays, his dad coaches, and their mother cheers. They live in N.Y. city. Good work, Ken Burns and your interviews were insightful on many levels.!!!
C
CYNTHIA
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
01/09/23
Ken Burns
Review by CYNTHIA on 01/09/23 review stating Ken Burns
The series is spellbinding. Thank you for offering it. My husband just loves it. A great gift for any baseball fan/player
K
Kristine
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
10/18/22
Spouse loved it
Review by Kristine on 10/18/22 review stating Spouse loved it
Spouse loved it
K
Kelley
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/17/22
Can't go wrong with Ken Burns
Review by Kelley on 08/17/22 review stating Can't go wrong with Ken Burns
My parents don't stream and these documentaries are never aired enough so this is how they are viewing them. The Country Music series is for everyone whether you like the music or not. It's so rich in the history of USA music that you could eat it up with a spoon.
V
VIRGINIA
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/03/22
Baseball : A Film by Ken Burns
Review by VIRGINIA on 08/03/22 review stating Baseball : A Film by Ken Burns
I gave this as a birthday present to a relative who is a sports radio announcer. He loved it ! Especially the coverage of the eras of Babe Ruth and Micky Mantel.
J
Joseph
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
06/18/22
Ken Burns Baseball
Review by Joseph on 06/18/22 review stating Ken Burns Baseball
Anything by Ken Burns does not disappoint...neither does this film.
J
Juan
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/25/22
Exceptional Documentary!
Review by Juan on 04/25/22 review stating Exceptional Documentary!
All I will say is that it is well worth the time and money!
E
Elizabeth
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/25/22
Great history of baseball.
Review by Elizabeth on 04/25/22 review stating Great history of baseball.
Great history of baseball.
K
Ken
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/22/22
1 2 3 strikes your
Review by Ken on 03/22/22 review stating 1 2 3 strikes your
1 2 3 strikes your out. Ken Burns baseball is an amazing history of a great game.
J
James
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
02/07/22
J
Jean
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
10/17/21
#1 Baseball Fan
Review by Jean on 10/17/21 review stating #1 Baseball Fan
This was a gift for my son-in-law, who is a baseball lover. According to him, the collection has brought him hours of joy....one of his best gifts ever!
J
Jeanne
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/29/21
It is a birthday gift
Review by Jeanne on 07/29/21 review stating It is a birthday gift
It is a birthday gift for a special person who loves the game. I haave seen some of the episodes on PBS - Excellently done and presents much little known information.

Highlighted Customer Reviews


Great series. Must have for
Review by Brett review stating Great series. Must have for
Great series. Must have for anyone who loves the game.
DVD purchase
Review by Aimee review stating DVD purchase
This purchase arrived quickly, and was exactly what we were looking for. I did not want to use a third-party to purchase from because PBS so many wonderful things for its viewers. It felt good to support this organization, and even better to gift my father this baseball history DVD collection that he was searching for for Fathers Day.

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