The 2001 NBC Champions Untold Story. Until now.

An Alaskan filmmaker needs your help to fund this film project.

“Well, why don’t you do it?” my Dad asked, as we sat behind home plate at Mulcahy Stadium in the summer of 1999. I still remember that hot summer so long ago, the smell of burning pine trees from a huge forest fire just north of Anchorage.  We had been talking about how the American sports media had really overlooked baseball in Alaska, and all the amazing talent that had come through the Alaska Baseball League. The list of talent that played at one time or another since the Pilots first took the field in 1969 was incredible: Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, Mickey Hatcher, Suguru Egawa, Dan Boone, Randy Jones, Chris Chambliss, Dave Winfield, Tom Seaver, Bump Wills, Graig Nettles, and Rick Monday, to name a few.

So, I took up his challenge.  In the summer of 2001, my wife and I, together with our one-year old son, set off to follow the Pilots around the state on what I thought would be a small short film on the history of the Glacier Pilots. This small film grew into a true catching-lightning-in-a-bottle story: the NBC & ABL Championship 2001 Team - filled with the inspiring stories of young baseball players and the last days of one of Alaska's greatest baseball coaches and personalities, Jack O'Toole.

It was bittersweet for Jack's health was declining. He had suffered a stroke and the Pilots asked me to speak with him and record his tales about Pilots baseball. I knew of Jack, as most Alaskans did, seeing him every year coaching the Pilots, but I had never really met him before. As a kid growing up in Anchorage, the Glacier Pilots were like the New York Yankees to me. My father, a high school coach himself, was also battling ill health at this time. I felt a special kinship with Jack's son, Patrick O'Toole.  We both spent a great part of our childhoods in the ball park. It was my privilege to be able to preserve some of Jack’s personal stories for future generations of Pilots fans. Those stories became a part of the first documentary I did about the Glacier Pilots.

"Lefty & Jack" was released in 2004, a 49-minute documentary (available for purchase on DVD at (www.glacierpilots.com) featuring then Pilot's Coaches: Jack O'Toole and Lefty Van Brunt, reminiscing about a lot of really funny and exciting moments of playing baseball in Alaska. The film was well received and met with great reviews.

On to the rest of the series! Problem was the next two films’ scopes are so large it really became too much for one person to do all alone, and, like most documentaries that you believe in, it was a labor of love. I wasn't able to tackle what became the huge, complex and fascinating story of the Glacier Pilots before my father passed away in 2011.

Now though, with your help, it is possible to finally get this done.

The funding of this project (through Kickstarter.com) will allow me to finish the project, BUT it won't be just one film! This project will also include a web series of the 2001 Pilots – premiering this year, a separate documentary on the History of the Pilots and a final feature film documentary on the 2001 team for film festivals and project donors (1st BASE LEVEL and higher).

The funding is key, and it won’t be an easy task. I need to raise at least $17,500 in 30 days. Those funds will make it possible for me buy music clearances and hire the additional editing and post production services that this project deserves, along with paying for film festival fees and other promotional items. The Glacier Pilots ball club has donated tickets and items as they want the story told just as much as I do.

Kickstarter Project Link:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1898797771/anchorage-glacier-pilots-legacy-project-3-films

Kickstarter campaigns operate under an “all-or-nothing” funding model, so if the Glacier Pilots Legacy project does not reach its goal at the end of 30 days, then the Pilots and I go home empty-handed. Be sure to follow the project on Twitter (@pilotslegacy) and Facebook.  Make sure to spread the word to your social media networks. Consider donating as little as $5 to help the project come to life. Some of the sponsor gifts offered for those who decide to donate at a higher level include DVDs, Pilots home game tickets, Pilots merchandise and even a producer credit in the film.

If you’d like more information about the Glacier Pilots Legacy Project, see interviews with MLB ballplayers whom are Pilots Alumni, or to schedule an interview with Robert, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send him a tweet @pilotslegacy.

Robert Barr was born on the wild and wooly frontier of suburban Anchorage, Alaska. The son of professional educators, he's been making films and editing since he was a child. Later he majored in Broadcasting, Journalism, History, Anthropology and English at the Arizona State University - Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, where as a radio DJ he created, produced and starred in a weekly cable access show, KASR Video. After graduation, Robert moved to Los Angeles studied Cinema Production at Los Angeles City College and has been working in the entertainment industry in various capacities from production to post-production with film, 16mm, 35mm, HD and SD.  He produces programs through his company, Diablos Del Sol Productions.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

I hope you enjoyed the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the last week we gave you a team by team look at the key players, new faces, potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, possible starting lineups and rotations as well as a quick summary.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

After previewing all six divisions, today is the day we look at the big winners and managers who could be in trouble in 2012.  You can check out all the division previews by following the links.

Sunday: NL West

Monday: AL West

Tuesday: NL Central

Wednesday: AL Central

Thursday: NL East

Friday: AL East

Play Ball!

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise. 

Yesterday we looked at the NL East, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West, Tuesday we previewed the NL Central, Wednesday we took a trip around the AL Central and today it’s the AL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise. 

Yesterday we looked at the AL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West, Tuesday we previewed the NL Central and today it’s the NL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise. 

Yesterday we looked at the NL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West and today it’s the AL Central.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise. 

Yesterday we looked at the AL West and we started on Sunday with the NL West, today it’s the NL Central.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise. 

Yesterday we looked at the NL West, today it’s the AL West.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview.  Over the next week you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary. 

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication.  It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research. 

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.  I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

It was a lot of work but a lot of fun compiling this preview and starting today we will take a look at the National League West.  The rest of the schedule follows with a different division being profiled each day and the final day will bring you the winners, award selections and a list of managers who have a lot to prove in 2013 if they want to be on the bench in 2014.

Tomorrow you will get the American League West preview followed by the NL Central, AL Central, NL East and AL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

ESPN’s 2013 Baseball Tonight Goodyear Express Tour will begin its journey through MLB Spring Training sites in Arizona and Florida on Monday, Feb. 11, with a visit to the defending World Champion San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. Each visit includes player and manager interviews, in-depth perspective on the team’s camp and discussion of off-season storylines in advance of the 2013 MLB season. Tour content will be featured in Baseball Tonight, which airs weekdays generally at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and via WatchESPN with additional SportsCenter segments each day.*

Veteran ESPN MLB Insider Tim Kurkjian will anchor the four-week tour with ESPN MLB commentators John Kruk, Curt Schilling, Rick Sutcliffe, Aaron Boone, Buster Olney and Karl Ravech joining the tour for various segments.

“The tour will provide an insightful look into MLB’s top storylines and biggest superstars heading into the 2013 season,” said Kurkjian. “All of the excitement and intrigue of the season begins in spring training – my favorite time of year.” 

The Cactus League portion of the tour will highlight the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox.

The Grapefruit League schedule begins on Monday, Feb. 25, with the new-look Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. followed by visits to the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers.

Baseball Tonight Goodyear Express Tour Schedule – Cactus League:

Baseball Tonight Goodyear Express Tour Schedule – Grapefruit League:

ESPN.com will have comprehensive spring training coverage from Jayson Stark, Jerry Crasnick, Jim Caple and David Schoenfield on site in Florida and Arizona. ESPN.com will also feature a countdown clock to Opening Day, videos from the Baseball Tonight Goodyear Express Tour and a spring training blog with daily posts.

On Twitter:

@ESPN_BBTN; @Kurkjian_ESPN; @JohnKruk_ESPN; @gehrig38; @Buster_ESPN; @AaronBoone_ESPN; @Sut_ESPN; @karlravechespn; @jaysonst; @jcrasnick; @jimcaple; @dschoenfield.

*Baseball Tonight will air four times at 2:30 p.m. throughout the tour.

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photo credit: espn images

On Jan. 15, Korea’s National Baseball Team officially unveiled its uniform for the 2013 World Baseball Classic that begins in March. Nike, the creator of the team’s uniforms since 1998, developed the innovative design for speed, power and movement. After earning gold medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2010 in Guangzhou, the Korean National Team hopes to achieve a Baseball Grand Slam by winning the upcoming classic.

In a change from previous uniforms, the top's design features a V-neck instead of a button-down, which can help reduce potential injuries caused by rough sliding. Twill fabric combined with nylon and spandex helps maximize each player’s full range of dynamic motion.

The new uniform also features a mesh fabric with antiperspirant and anti-odor technology as well as an ergonomic design to reduce chafing. With the use of innovative fabrics and minimization of seams, the uniform is 17 percent (top) and 51 percent (bottom) lighter than the previous uniform.

The uniforms emphasize the team’s heritage with the use of the same cursive "Korea" that was used in 2008 in Beijing, as well as the traditional white and blue colors.

The uniform includes a white top and bottom for home games and a blue top and white bottom for away games, as well as a Nike Pro base layer worn under the top that features a second-skin fit and moisture-wicking technology to keep players cool and dry.

Innovative technology for speed, power and full range of motion

• The new pullover constructed V-neck design features chafe-free flatlock seams.
• The button-less and seamless design on the front can help minimize injuries during head-first sliding or diving catches.
• Motion Relief Gusset technology applied under each arm maximizes range of motion while batting or throwing.
• Seams on sides of top maximize full range of motion in the arms.
• Double-layered ergonomic knees increase durability and can help minimize injuries.

Uniform design combines traditional and modern elements

• White and blue are traditional colors representing Korea and the team.
• Traditional Korean calligraphy is applied on the top in "Korea" and in the "K" on the baseball cap, continuing the heritage of the Korean National Team from Beijing 2008.

Mesh fabric and laser-cutting technology boost breathability

• Nike Dri-FIT is featured in the Nike Pro base layer, which provides a second-skin fit and moisture-wicking technology to keep players cool and dry during competition.
• Open mesh in the front of the top maximizes breathability.
• Laser-cut mesh on the side of the top works to keep players cool and dry and eliminates distraction.
• Mesh fabric on inner legs adds ventilation.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: nike, inc.