In April, I gave Netflix a hard time for its mishandling of Major League Baseball’s “Opening Night” game. And that was before the abomination — three-parts Netflix advertising event and one-part baseball game — even happened. (Some weeks later, I shared my unsolicited opinion of the spectacle with least one very high-ranking Netflix senior executive. That may have likewise been a misstep.)
On Monday, Netflix gets its next MLB at-bat with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. Even a home run of its own, production-wise, would not make up for “MLB Opening Night,” but more tact would be a nice tip of the cap to baseball fans.
Back on March 25 on Netflix exclusively, the New York Yankees pounded the home team San Francisco Giants 7-0. I was thrilled with the outcome of the game, but appalled by everything but the on-field action. “MLB Opening Night” featured too much Bert Kreischer (shirtless, of course), goofy player entrances flanked by dancers and vehicles most associated with the teams’ respective cities (yellow cabs for the New York Yankees and a trolley for the home team San Francisco Giants), and John Cena plugging his new Netflix film under the guise of explaining ABS (Automated Ball-Strike).
It was one big Netflix ad with some baseball mixed in. After much criticism, even Netflix copped to its mistake.
“Maybe with Opening Night, we were across that line a little bit too much,” Netflix’s head of sports Gabe Spitzer told the March and Sports Media Podcast in May. “Maybe there were a few too many Netflix promos. But at the same time, I think we also listen to what the fans say. We do a ton of surveys, you know, before and after, and what that sentiment was, and I think overall it was incredibly positive.”
Tonight, Netflix hosts the Home Run Derby, probably the only piece of America’s Past Time™ that could make do with some of the streamer’s spit-shine — “some” being the operative word here. What Netflix does best — beyond documentary programming, I’d argue — is eventizing. Netflix makes big deals feel like bigger deals. Its global audience has a natural interest in baseball and everyone digs dingers.
This year’s blasts beyond the confines of Citizens Bank Park will come off the bats of Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies, DH, 32 home runs at the All-Star Break), Ben Rice (New York Yankees, 1B, 28 HRs), Junior Caminero (Tampa Bay Rays, 3B, 27 HRs), Jordan Walker (St. Louis Cardinals, OF, 22 HRs), Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies, 1B, 20 HRs), Willson Contreras (Boston Red Sox, 1B, 20 HRs), Munetaka Murakami (Chicago White Sox, 1B, 20 HRs) and Jac Caglianone (Kansas City Royals, OF, 14 HRs).
Schwarber and Harper will be the hometown favorites among the Philadelphia crowd; Schwarber is also the favorite to win the contest. And to the victor goes the spoil: the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby Chain, comedically oversized bling honoring the host city and America’s 250th birthday. Its charm features a casting of the Liberty Bell and 250 mixed-cut rubies, per Netflix. The best part: it has not been plastered with a Netflix “N.”
We can’t say the same for all the bedazzled self-promotion for the derby. To help advertise the event, Netflix converted an ice cream truck into a gaudy mobile billboard that would make Pimp My Ride stop and take notice. Adorned with a colossal version of the wearable trophy and with more (fake) gemstones than your grandmother’s (fake) Fabergé Egg, the vehicle has been driving around the City of Brotherly love giving out t-shirts and cold treats.
Monday in Philly was sunny with a high of 86 degrees — even I won’t hate on the ice cream. Just take it no further, Netflix (and MLB Productions, which co-produces tonight’s event).
Unfortunately, that’s not really The Netflix Way.
“The broadcast will also feature a special appearance from the cast of The Hawk,” a press release for the derby reads, in part. “The series’ stars Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Jimmy Tatro will welcome the players to the big stage alongside legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer.”
Of course it will.
Moonshots could make fans forgive what is almost certain to be more marketing opportunities. A key rule change should help. For the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby, MLB has reverted to a swing-based format. Batters get 20 swings in the first round, 15 in the second, and 15 in the third. For the past decade, a timer had (mostly) removed a sense of drama from the Derby.
It won’t be Netflix’s final crack at a Major League Baseball marquee event this season. In exactly one month, the streamer will host the MLB at Field of Dreams game from the middle of a cornfield in Dyersville, Iowa. The annual game, played where the 1989 Kevin Costner movie filmed, has become one of the baseball’s most visually appealing events due to its lack of in-your-face corporatization.
Is it Heaven? No, it’s Iowa. Let’s not make it Hell, Netflix.
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