ESPN’s New Miniseries Sizzles

The Bronx is burning. No, I’m not referring to the suffocating heat that enveloped the city yesterday. I’m referring to ESPN’s [critically acclaimed], [eight-week miniseries](http://www.bronxisburning.com/) that debuted last night chronicling the title-winning, yet volatile ’77 Yankees, who often battled each other while the city battled the [Son of Sam killer](http://wwhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz), a tumultuous (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Berkowitz)[25-hour blackout](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Blackout_of_1977) and a number of other chaos-inducing events.

The series marks the 30th anniversary of the Yankees first World Series championship under the ownership of George Steinbrenner. The often overbearing Oliver Platt is perfectly cast as the always overbearing Boss, and Emmy-winner John Turturro and “[Rescue Me]” star Daniel Sunjata round out the leads as manager Billy Martin and superstar Reggie Jackson. The easy-going Turturro, who won his Emmy for portraying Tony Shaloub’s quirky brother on the murder-comedy “[Monk](www.usanetwork.com/series/monk/),” eases into his role as the high-strung, impulsive, alcoholic Martin with such effortlessness that you wonder what’s kept the Brooklynite from becoming a household name. But with—at worst—another Emmy nomination on the way, Turturro’s career seems to be on the upswing. Speaking of swings, Sunjata practically becomes the egotistical, exceptionally-talented Jackson, who took a fair number of hacks at both fastballs and Martin throughout that feverish summer. And with even more strong contributions from ancillary characters, the superb cast helps an ambitious script rise above its flaws.

Three decades later, another Yankee team is experiencing a myriad of off-the-field problems. But unless they come together soon, the next miniseries, scheduled for 2037, might be called “The Boss Is Burning.” How does it end? Steinbrenner fires manager Joe Torre and general manager Brian Cashman and trades all of his overpriced “superstars” after the Bronx Bombers finish 22 games behind the hated Red Sox. Pitcher Scott Proctor, who has shown an inclination toward arson this season, will then [set fire] to the city, bringing the story full circle. After all, the Yankees have always been known for their dramatic flare.