As most of us have just finished making "Best of the Decade" lists, it reminds me how nice it is that one can live in an era when we can discuss these lists. Perhaps intentionally, it's great that baseball lends itself to discussions like this due to the fairly timeless nature of the game. You can discuss whether Albert Pujols was as good, if not better than some of the game's greats, because they are all measured by the same generic statistics. Greg Maddux was the bomb, huh? Was he as good as Bob Gibson? Those discussions make for interesting debate. And combining baseball with America's desire to make lists, thus the "All-Century Team" was born.

Its premise was simple; in 1999, a group of experts compiled a list of 100 current and former greats who were candidates for the team, which was voted upon by fans. The team was unveiled during the 1999 World Series in what was a memorable moment for the sport. Not only were so many legends on the film at one time, but Pete Rose's inclusion to the team was notable, as he was banned from all Major League Baseball events, and an exception was made for his appearance. His welcome by the crowd was palpable.

The team's introduction is chronicled in an hour-long special, narrated by Bob Costas. It includes an introduction for each player, along with a quote from either that player or a notable baseball figure, along with some footage (if possible) for each. Most of the team appears to be without question. Names like Aaron, Mantle, Gehrig, Ruth, Koufax, Mays and Robinson (Brooks and Jackie) appear on the club. Their contributions have been commendable and indisputable.

It's the next part where things get a little tricky. At the time, there were four active players on the roster. At shortstop, Cal Ripken Jr. was a perennial All-Star and was an offensive threat at shortstop unlike few had seen. Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. had only been in the league for ten years, but was a Gold Glove winner every year in the majors and led the American League in home runs the last three seasons before the team was announced. First baseman Mark McGwire was fresh from breaking the record for most home runs in a season and his home run chase with Sammy Sosa helped bring many fans back to the sport that were chased away by labor disputes of past years. Roger Clemens had won five Cy Young awards as the American League's Best Pitcher.

Since 1999, the number of people both made aware of and outraged by the number of players using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs in the sport has skyrocketed. McGwire and Clemens were called to Congress to testify in separate hearings about the issue. The former's reticence to discuss past transgressions has called his nearly 600 career home runs into question, while the latter's name in the Mitchell Report of alleged steroid users, combined with his near-dithering when confronted by information by former trainers and teammates, have made him become a punch line in many jokes. Two certain Hall of Fame inductees, perhaps no longer.

I'm not saying the last part is a shame, and we could talk about steroids and PED's in drugs until the next All-Century Team is picked, but that's not the shame here. The real shame is that in less than a decade, two members of the team may not have any business on it, and Major League Baseball has banned Rose, making ten percent of this team irrelevant. MLB promoted the announcement of the team (and the candidates for it) with a huge spectacle, and while the result was magical, the legacy has been tarnished. Ironic, since time has tarnished a list of uber-players in a sport whose main benefits were the game they played was timeless.

The All-Century team broadcast is presented in full-frame video and like most MLB productions, the stipulation of the feature having inherent source material flaws should be noted. Any problems with the older video footage (or the newer/lower quality video) are kept fairly minimal, as this almost appears to be a straight reproduction from original airing.

The feature gets two-channel Dolby stereo work and it's pretty much what you'd expect. All of the action occurs in the front channels, with little to no reproduction or engagement by the rear channels or subwoofer. Dialogue is clear and without distortion issues, and the feature juggles game broadcast footage, narration and newsreel film audio sources adequately.

The 100 player list is presented without dialogue and with a bunch of highlights of each player (10:18). It's nice to have it here so one can make their own substitutions for the final roster. After that, the Fenway Park ceremony with those players at the 1999 All-Star Game is next (4:04), including Ted Williams' emotional return to Boston's Fenway Park, where he plied his trade for so many years. The introduction ceremony for the final team at Atlanta's Turner Field is next (2:29), though it's quick and pretty forgettable. The players in the Atlanta green room is the other extra (4:16), and it's interesting though like the last couple of segments, far too short.

The All-Century Team of Major League Baseball is filled with no-brainer selections, but there are others that may not have any business on the list. In fact, at 30 players, this team is a little too bloated anyway, so why have them? Either way, debates among friends of who should be on this team are probably more involved and engaging than this disc will be, so I'd pass on this.