YES production crew gets it right with timely Yankees throwback video

We hold some truths to remain self-evident.Just as stats don’t make games, games make stats; good games don’t make good TV, good TV makes good TV — even if those who vote on Sports Emmys remain unaware.In the words of legendary scientist Louis Pasteur, “Chance favors the prepared.”Preparation and execution makes for superb viewing.

Technology, too, but it’s so often misapplied — as seen during ESPN’s distracting and annoying flashing names of those closest the puck during NHL power plays and strike zone boxes that don’t adhere to the official strike zone — are antithetical to practical, useful viewing.But try telling that to those who know better only because they work in TV.“What else can we do to obstruct the view?”That brings us to Sunday’s Rays-Yankees on YES.

In the third, Yanks starter Luis Gil — hey, yes, a starter still pitching in the third! — was called for a balk that tied the game.As even many lifelong fans can’t quickly recognize several variations of balks, a discussion between Michael Kay and former Yankee pitcher Jeff Nelson ensued.“They should bring back the first to third,” said Nelson of the fake pickoff to third to then try to nail the runner leaning from first toward second.Kay: “I used to call that the ‘Jeff Nelson.’ ”N: “It only worked once in the 100 times I tried it.”K: “Really, just once?”N: “Just once.”K: “Who did it work on?”N: “Manny Alexander with the Orioles.

We were in Baltimore.I used to do it on 3-2 [counts, runners presumed in motion] just to see if I could steal an out.”K: “We have that play, Jeff.”And then it suddenly appeared.

It was from 1996, 28 years ago and six years before YES was born!N: “See? Look … the only time it ever worked.”Nelson then marveled at how YES had that clip then so quickly aired it.He wasn’t alone.

It made sensational on-the-move TV.And I needed to know more.

Who, how, and holy cow!YES’s production VP Jared Boshnack explai...