The schedule of MLB games on Apple TV+ has been released through June. The Phillies so far are playing on May 3rd and June 21st. The June 21st game will be against the Diamondbacks, but more importantly it’ll feature the retirement of one of the greatest Phillies of all time – Cole Hamels.

So what happens with the pre-game festivities? NBC Sports Philly typically gives us the entire ceremony. Will Apple pick up the slack? Phillies fans are already going to be pissed off enough the game isn’t on their TV package. If Apple doesn’t show Cole’s retirement speech, there might be a full-on mutiny outside the park. I’m talking Gravy Seals tipping over the Apple TV truck like we just won the Super Bowl.

And even if they do show it, how can we trust them to pick the highlights from Hamels’ career that Phils fans will want to see the most? I don’t want some producer from LA putting together a highlight package and refusing to put in 2008 NLCS moments against the Dodgers because they’re still butt hurt. What if the producer is a Mets or Braves fan? They’ll probably throw a Braves highlight in there from that one start just to twist the knife.

Just an oversight from Apple and MLB. I know they’re trying to attract younger viewers through streaming, but couldn’t it have been a Marlins or Nats game? I loved growing up and watching the retirement and Wall of Fame ceremonies on Comcast SportsNet. Dutch retired when I was four. I don’t remember his career, but I remember that slicked-back hair coming out of the dugout for his Wall of Fame induction. It’s cool to watch those events and hear your pops tell stories about his heroes when he was young:

Too bad MLB just won’t ever stop getting out of their own way trying to grow the game.