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MLB Network to feature Reds' 'Nasty Boys' from 1990

mark townsend
Yahoo Sports Contributor

Bullpen trios are in again thanks to Kansas City Royals' ace relievers Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera. If you want to see where they were put on the map though, check out the next edition of MLB Network Presents on Tuesday. Host Bob Costas will be turning back the clock to 1990 to revisit baseball's most infamous bullpen trio - the Cincinnati Reds' Nasty Boys, which consisted of Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers.

It's the second installment of MLB Network's new documentary program and it's aptly titled "Nasty Boys: The 1990 Cincinnati Reds." While the broad focus of the program will be on Cincinnati's last World Series championship squad from 25 years ago, the spotlight will once again shine on the three eccentric relievers who set the tone for manager Lou Piniella and made headlines — good, bad and otherwise — on a daily basis.

Former Cincinnati Reds pitchers, from left , Rob Dibble, Randy Myers, and Norm Charlton throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, July 7, 2014. (AP)
Former Cincinnati Reds pitchers, from left , Rob Dibble, Randy Myers, and Norm Charlton throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Monday, July 7, 2014. (AP)

The hour-long program is set to premiere on MLB Network on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET, and according the press release will feature at home interviews with Charlton, Dibble and Myers. Those interviews alone are probably worth the click of your remote, but the press release notes several other notable appearances.

The episode also includes interviews with several members of the 1990 Reds staff, including manager Lou Piniella, Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin, right fielder Paul O’Neill, infielder Ron Oester, catcher Joe Oliver and starter Tom Browning, plus Hall of Fame award-winning broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Hall of Fame award-winning writer Hal McCoy, Cincinnati Enquirer sportswriter John Erardi, and former Cincinnati mayor and talk show host Jerry Springer, who each recall the team’s clubhouse antics, including the “Reds Hot” rap song, and their incredible on-field success.

You had us at Lou Piniella. Then you went ahead and added Jerry Springer. Indeed, this could be the wildest and most bizarre program that ever airs on MLB Network.

Speaking of Piniella — and perhaps even Springer to some extent — the preview video touches on the insane clubhouse brawl that took place between Piniella and Dibble. Apparently that will be covered as well, which is another standalone segment that should be must-see.

This program will definitely have a different feel and a different tone from the Bruce Bochy and Tim Flannery documentary that kicked off the new Network series, but it looks like another home run. Keep'em coming, MLB!

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!