The Bronx Is Burning

The Bronx Is Burning (stylized as The Bronx is Burning) is a television drama that debuted on ESPN on July 10, 2007, after the 2007 MLB Home Run Derby. It is an eight-episode mini-series adapted from Jonathan Mahler's best-selling book, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning. The book focuses on baseball's triumph over the turmoil and hysteria of 1977 New York City and how the New York Yankees came to embody the hopes and fears of an unforgettable summer with Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson's warfare under George Steinbrenner's leadership.

The show stars Daniel Sunjata, Oliver Platt, and John Turturro, while executive producers Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, writer and executive producer James Solomon, and director Jeremiah Chechik work on the show. The series is produced by ESPN Original Entertainment in conjunction with Tollin/Robbins Productions. Filming began on September 18, 2006, in Connecticut and New York. The 2007 debut of the series marked the 30th anniversary of the 1977 World Series win for the Yankees, the first under Steinbrenner. After airing on ESPN, the episodes were placed on ABC on Demand.

Summary
The central theme of the adaptation is the 1977 New York Yankees against the backdrop of New York City. Yankee superstar Reggie Jackson (Daniel Sunjata) and manager Billy Martin (John Turturro) are locked in a perpetual state of warfare. Jackson was a perfect foil for the scrappy Martin, a popular former Yankee player and reminder of the less complicated past of the team and the city. While owner George Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) was an autocratic boss, he was also intent on keeping his promise to delivering a World Series title.

The show also features subplots concerning the New York City Police Department's pursuit of the Son of Sam serial killer that year and the blackout and resultant widespread looting in July, all while the city suffered through financial bankruptcy and massive municipal layoffs. Another subplot focused on the 1977 New York City mayoral election featuring incumbent mayor Abraham Beame, former U.S. Representative Bella Abzug, future Governor Mario Cuomo, and Congressman Ed Koch, the eventual winner.

The title refers to an off-the-cuff comment allegedly made by broadcaster Howard Cosell during the ABC telecast of Game Two of the 1977 World Series.

Episodes were filmed in New London, Waterford and Norwich in Connecticut as well as in New York City. New London stood in for New York City and Dodd Stadium in Norwich stood in for Yankee Stadium. The series' soundtrack consisted of songs by The Ramones.

Cast

 * John Turturro, Yankees manager Billy Martin
 * Daniel Sunjata, Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson
 * Oliver Platt, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner
 * Kevin Conway, Yankees president Gabe Paul
 * Daryl Blonder, Yankees batboy Ray Negron
 * Rob Lavin, Yankees pitcher Ken Holtzman
 * Erik Jensen, Yankees catcher Thurman Munson
 * Loren Dean, Yankees back-up catcher Fran Healy
 * Seth Gilliam, Yankees outfielder Paul Blair
 * Joe Grifasi, Yankees bench coach Yogi Berra
 * Mather Zickel, Yankees outfielder Lou Piniella
 * Alex Cranmer, Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles
 * Evan Hart, Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent
 * Dock Pollard, Yankees second baseman Willie Randolph
 * Lou Provenzano, Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry
 * Darby Brown, Yankees designated hitter Cliff Johnson
 * Jason Kosow, Yankees pitcher Catfish Hunter
 * Max Casella, Yankees third base coach Dick Howser
 * Leonard Robinson, Yankees outfielder Mickey Rivers
 * Christopher McDonald, Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio
 * Tom Wiggin, Yankees Hall of Famer Whitey Ford
 * Anthony Michael Hall, Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle
 * Josh Pais, Reporter Phil Pepe
 * Dan Lauria, Captain Joseph Borelli
 * Nestor Serrano, Detective Kavanaugh
 * Stephen Lang, Deputy Inspector Timothy Dowd
 * John Mahoney, News Reporter (Background Casting)
 * Casey Siemaszko, Detective Welker
 * Josiah Schlatter, Clubhouse attendant
 * Michael Rispoli, Newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin
 * Seán Martin Hingston, Newspaper reporter Steve Dunleavy
 * Paul Marini, David Berkowitz
 * Emily Wickersham, Suzy Steinbrenner
 * Russell Woron-Simons, Student watching TV
 * Jason Giambi, Taxi cab driver