NBC 1986 WORLD SERIES THEME - "HEROES" (FULL) - Steve Martin

Theme for NBC Sports' coverage of the 1986 World Series, later used as the Game of The Week theme. Composed by Steve Martin of the production music factory Killer Tracks. According to the copyright info, it's called "Heroes."

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

It just SOUNDS triumphant. A perfect big event sports theme. Hasn't been one better since.

[@diegojuarez8041]

Writing this after Vin Scully passed away. He was the MLB on NBC, and every time I hear this master piece, I remember those iconic calls from the 86 and 88 World Series. Also the many Game of the Week broadcasts he did before and during the use of this theme, even more sadly when he farewell NBC’s coverage in 89. A poetic, elegant and smooth voice that knew what to say when the perfect moment arrived. Rest In Peace, Vin Scully.

[@karlc2869]

He is now in heaven with other broadcasting greats of every sport who passed on including Pat Summerall, Dick Enberg, Bob Wolff, Dizzy Dean, Joe Garagiola (Sr.), Russ Hodges, Lon Simmons, Gorilla Monsoon, Curt Gowdy, Jack Buck, Dan Kelly, Foster Hewitt, Harry and Skip Caray, Pete Van Wieren, Ray Scott, "Hot" Rod Hundley, Chick Hearn, Johnny Most, Charlie Jones, Frank Gifford, Frank Glieber, Howard Cosell, Keith Jackson, Bob Prince, Bob Blackburn, Merle Harmon, Herb Carneal, Milo Hamilton, Bill Enis, Bill King, Gordon Solie, Fred Cusick, Ray Morgan, Chris Schenkel, Jim Gordon, Jim Simpson, Chuck Thompson, Bob Starr, Mel Allen, Red Barber, Lindsey Nelson and Ralph Kiner.

[@bobbenbrown123]

​@@karlc2869wow that's a huge list. U sure they all accepted Christ as personal Savior and are in heaven 🙏?

[@karlc2869]

@@bobbenbrown123 Yep.

[@ronflatter1235]

There is an absolute majesty to this song. Bravo.

[@a_plus]

I've been coming back to listen to this theme over the last few weeks as I've recently watched Once Upon A Time In Queens which in turn sent me down a mid/late-80s baseball wormhole. In doing so I've watched a lot of NBC GOW/postseason telecasts with Marv Albert's pregame and the late Vin Scully & Joe Garagiola on the call where this theme perfectly serves as the backdrop to high drama, no matter if it's a close game in June or the top of the ninth in Game 7. NBC's first departure from MLB in '89 (when this composition finally took over as the main GOTW theme) really started the descent of baseball from a national game into more of a regionally-distributed game that favors RSNs broadcasting nightly games over even a Sunday Night Baseball telecast. For me, this theme represents a time when the game was more regal and its presentation was bolstered by Hall Of Fame talents (Scully, Albert, Bob Costas to name a few) that weren't just broadcasters, but caretakers of the game. While FOX in its early years did a good-to-very good job of delivering baseball to younger demos, this theme that soundtracked the end of NBC's era as the primary rights holder was and is the gold standard of baseball broadcasting. RIP Vin Scully.

[@thomastripp9002]

I may have been born when NBC actually stopped carrying MLB, but thanks to obtaining classic games on DVD over the years (e.g. Game 1 of the 88 World Series and Game 5 of the 89 NLCS), this theme touches my soul!!! Also, more importantly, RIP to Vin Scully!!!!

[@MrT8599]

Two great World Series events happened with this theme. First: "Little roller up along first...BEHIND THE BAG! IT GETS THROUGH BUCKNER! HERE COMES KNIGHT AND THE METS WIN IT!" Bill Buckner's "goof" that sent Ray Knight to home plate and kept the New York Mets alive by winning Game 6 of the 1986 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. Second: "High fly ball into right field! She i-i-i-i-is GONE! (long pause) In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!" Kirk Gibson's famous Walk-off Home Run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics. And they were both called by Vin Scully! Update 8/3/2022: Vin Scully passed away yesterday at the age of 94. The voice of Major League Baseball, Vin won't be forgotten.

[@vccstudents]

Stengel: "They say 'Metsie, Metsie." Scully: "Oh. God rest his soul. How Casey Stengel would have loved it."

[@RossLipter]

GOAT 🐐 🎙 ⚾️

[@steveprestegard5151]

Who else should call such moments?

[@DKTCHIKC]

Sad news:: Vinny is gone He will be missed Good news: he’s reunited with Sandi ( his wife) and Joe. RIP❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@billhoward6655]

RIP Mr. Schully ! G.O.A.T. of baseball broadcasters! No disrespect to the late Jack Buck RIP and Harry Carey RIP and Bob Uecker !

[@wiedep]

Vin and Joe, a combo that'll never be matched

[@MrT8599]

Kim Martin Vin and Joe are like the Pat and John of MLB

[@willmack5909]

I hear this and all I can hear is the 1986 World Series ending with Casey Stengel saying "METSY METSY METSY"!!!!!! Sensational theme! Miss Joe Garagiola. Had the great fortune to listen to Mr. Scully's final Dodger broadcast on TV. True legends!

[@PhillyCYOSports]

Heroes. That's what they were. Those day are long gone.

[@LAFan]

R.I.P. Vinny and Joe. 🙏🙏🕊🕊 Forever in our hearts. There was nothing like watching the World Series on NBC in the 80s.

[@MrT8599]

Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola, and Bob Costas and Tony Kubek, the best announcer pairings of the MLB on NBC...I think.

[@steveprestegard5151]

Occasionally Dick Enberg.

[@karlc2869]

And also Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. I mean, Jon also did NBC games.

[@aegisofhonor]

one of the most memorable themes in sports, it's sad they stopped using it after 1989. Listening to this in true hi-fi with good hi-fi speakers (who even watched TV through a hi-fi system back then?) It really brings out just how good this theme was.

[@nickrodriguez4294]

Wow! Love it! When Baseball was once a week, I'd wait all week to watch! Growing up in late 70's and 80's as a boy this was it for me! So do miss that time...😯

[@openmind1966]

RIP Vin Scully. This arrangement is Baseball Majesty as you were Vin. Thanks for the memories!

[@crawford371]

A time when baseball on tv was awesome

[@BetheasByteReloaded]

I'm a theme guy. That being said (and I know I'm gonna get some hate for this), but this and the MLB on CBS themes are the best Baseball themes you can get!

[@JohnMclane1988]

i would add fox’s theme and i wish mlb would go back to a two network system with fox and nbc

[@goblue85]

@@JohnMclane1988 they’re gonna say no because they have Fox, ESPN, and TBS, along with MLB Network, Peacock is apparently going to be doing national games however.

[@irish89055]

The worst theme is CBS football they've been doing for 20 some years

[@billhoward6655]

Truth 💯

[@davidcarlisle7621]

I remember that theme song. Snappy

[@ronniesmith2170]

The best mlb intro of all time I was a 80s kids and baseball was at its best to me Saturday baseball on NBC was the thing to watch I had baseball cards starting line up this song take me back to my youth wow time fly 😉

[@ceddycedchin]

Epic & dramatic music for arguably the most exciting & dramatic World Series.

[@peterbagetakos8679]

Awesome. I saw it happen. Unexpected.

[@johnlilly8519]

RIP Vin Scully

[@searchforthestrangler5034]

Brings back memories of being stationed in Germany in 1986 getting up at 2:00 AM to watch the Mets-Red Sox world series on Armed Forces Network.

[@tramlou1]

Have been wanting a clean copy of this for a long time. Thank you.

[@johnnysama]

I love this theme. I first heard it when ESPN Classic (remember that channel?) aired a repeat of Game 7 of the 1986 World Series and played a good portion of the theme. I found out about who actually made this song, and I was pleasantly surprised! Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola (RIP) were THE best baseball commentary team the sport has ever had. :D Such incredible chemistry.

[@deloysterns]

johnnysama agreed

[@StivenBonillaNY]

Excellent and Wonderful

[@rrvtjd]

It's not the Steve Martin you're thinking of... www.gpgmusic.com/steve-martin/

[@jfranco_official]

The must be theme for every world series. Thanks for posting!

[@luisantoniochirinos1427]

Loved the intro when the announcer says "The National Broadcasting Company". You knew it was big and solemn! Miss NBC telecast. Fox Sucks

[@thatrandomguyonyt5959]

With the exception of TBS and MLB Network, Disney basically airs the National TV MLB Games, owning both ESPN and FOX, and seeing how big Disney is, that extension for ESPN is probably on the way sadly. I would love to see this theme in TV again for live games

[@LogoMan7777]

@@thatrandomguyonyt5959 Disney doesn't own FOX.

[@kp8310]

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm a Die-Hard Mets fan, and this song holds a very special place in my heart. So thanks again.

[@LAFan]

This was also the theme to the 1988 World Series. Go Dodgers!

[@AJ42K]

SHE IS GONE!!!

[@AJ42K]

The Year I Was Born.

[@lovedrop4563]

Majestic Times. Gone Forever.

[@billhoward6655]

This should be the official theme song of Major League Baseball period! It is the goat and so were you Vin Schully RIP !

[@nycdweller]

Best sports theme song ever!

[@KNS1996DFS]

Seconded.

[@jmramos0109]

IN honor of NBCSN broadcasting MLB classics on Friday, May 22, 2020

[@beaulofgren5187]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks for sharing this timeless classic!

[@donmarkovitz5401]

NBC SPORTS NEEDS TO GET BASEBALL BACK AND START THE GAME OF THE WEEK AGAIN

[@deananderson5318]

"Little roller up along first... behind the bag... It gets through Buckner! Here comes Knight and the Mets win it!"

[@Fireinthestubble]

Yes Dean!!! The best sports memory of my childhood!

[@ralphabreu5022]

Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola what a classic moment two iconic broadcaster's

[@facebook51ify]

Ralph Abreu vin Scully did it takes 2 and joe is a veteran game show host on NBC.

[@jonathan_tong93]

Also Pat Summerall and John Madden

[@nathanielhart744]

awesome music

[@davidjackino8831]

The only time an (almost) clean version was ever heard on air was at the end of the 86 series/credits. RIP Vin and Joe.

[@drstephenbond1585]

They also played it at the end of the 1999 ws braves and yanks

[@StormFive]

OP is correct, nothing compares to the sample aired at the end of the 1986 series. There is a clean version at the end of the 1989 NLCS when the Cubs lost to the Giants and it was reasonably clean but had some talking over it.

[@notoriouseagle1074]

Imagine now what it could be There's a look at Fenway Park on a beautiful night of baseball here in Boston as Chris Sale and the Red Sox face a tough test tonight going up against Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees on Saturday Night Baseball. Al Michaels along with such and such, welcome to Boston.

[@chaunseybillings5381]

The 1986 Mets world series champions my childhood theme 😢😢

[@hessxpress]

"For the first time in 22 years, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees will face each other in the World Series, the second edition of the aptly named 'Subway Series'..."

[@Friarjohn1971]

I’m 15 again watching the ‘86 World Series.

[@scottlowman.1044]

Enjoyed the pic of Vin & Joe. And as kid I thought they were old. And now I am the age they were in the pic. Life is odd like that.

[@TMC1982Part2]

Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola were born in 1927 and 1926 respectively, so if this photo if from 1986, they would've been 59 and 60 years of age.

[@scottlowman.1044]

@@TMC1982Part2 correct sir.

[@JayScottSmith]

Hearing this just FEELS like fall in the mid-1980s. It's like the game didn't feel official until this music was playing under it.

[@johnmanier7968]

This was NBC's postseason and All-Star Game theme from 1986-1989, and also the Game of the Week theme for 1989.

[@AJ42K]

The Playoffs and World Series theme of the 90s.

[@bradymcelveney]

CBS took over in the early 90's and the theme, along with Vinny were gone. I'm not sure if NBC ever did another World Series. For some reason I'm thinking about 1997. Was that NBC? I know Costas was on the call for Game 7

[@acetanahashi8045]

​@bradymcelveney FOX and NBC shared postseason coverage from 1996-2000 with at least 3 divisional series games airing on NBC in prime time each of those years. NBC aired the ALCS in 1996, 1998, and 2000 as well as the NLCS and World Series in 1997 and 1999

[@bradymcelveney]

@@acetanahashi8045 thanks brutha, no wonder I didn't remember that '99 World Series. It was a Yankees sweep lol 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@UpstateMediaNY]

YES! I FINALLY HEAR THIS IN THE CLEAR! THANKS FOR THE UPLOAD!

[@herschie91]

Funny, I was playing the 1989 NLCS in MLB: The Show, and you can customize broadcast music. That was the last time this song was used.

[@davidtimms3201]

I remember it well. Game 5 of the '89 NLCS. My Cubs were eliminated by the Giants and this was NBC'S final baseball telecast. They played this theme as they signed off for the last time. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@MJBYouTubeNetwork]

The unofficial theme for the New York Mets. But its definitely the official theme for Vin Scully, Joe Garigiola and Bob Costas.

[@Liam-Carlson]

I love this

[@davidmitchell3020]

You’re pretty good at shaking that “thang”!

[@KNS1996DFS]

A month later, this was the theme for the joint CBC/CTV broadcast of the Grey Cup.

[@stevekalba9951]

How awesome are subscribers on KZbin I heard this theme when u was watching back in 1986 havent heard it in years until I watched game.7 televised broadcast recently only heard a portion of it and now the entire theme is posted!! Amazing!!!

[@stephenjackson5131]

Bring this music, mlb, Bob Costas back to nbc.

[@danielkarasik2624]

Greatest Baseball theme ever!

[@earlbryant6097]

PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!! Put MLB back on NBC where it belongs!! You've got NBCSN now so you can't say there isn't room for it anymore. If you can do Premier League soccer (football everywhere outside of USA) and the NHL, you can find space for Major League Baseball. Find a way to make it happen!!

[@chrisguardiano6143]

As of this season MLB is back on NBC via Peacock NBC's streaming service with games on Sunday afternoons. There will be a good number of these games that will be also be simulcast on NBC marking the first time since 1995 (& the failed Baseball Network experiment) that NBC will be showing regular season games. Basically NBC got the contract that TBS previously had for the Sunday afternoon games because TBS is shifting to airing games on Tuesday nights.

[@sir945]

HIGH FLYBALL IN TO RIGHT FIELD SHE IS GONE!!!!. Game 1 of the 88 World Series, the Kirk Gibson game winner.

[@drfunk1986]

oh baby this hits

[@beyoncebillings6625]

This and CBS is The Best theme for baseball

[@karlc2869]

Vin and Joe are now reunited in heaven.

[@TMC1982Part2]

As well as Tom Seaver, who was Vin Scully's partner on the Game of the Week and NLCS in 1989.

[@karlc2869]

@@TMC1982Part2 And also other MLB NBC announcers like Red Barber, Ernie Harwell, Curt Gowdy, Jim Simpson, Lindsey Nelson and Jack Buck (who later became CBS's lead MLB television announcer from 1990-1991).

[@VPR2B]

This is awesome -- thanks a million for posting it!

[@mrfk9d]

Thanks for sharing this fantastic theme song ! Love it.

[@michaelbadger6645]

This sure is a nice theme.

[@orvillemeadows9923]

if nbc ever gets mlb back they should use this theme

[@chaunseybillings7889]

Man I just started 😭 the 1986 Mets

[@entertainmentsportsandmore5783]

NBC Major League Baseball theme (1986-1989).

[@entertainmentsportsandmore5783]

until the 1989 NLCS..

[@harrymann5523]

“High fly ball into right field, SHE IS GONE!!!”

[@stevekalba9951]

Who is the one person who gave this a thumbs down that's what I want to know I'd love to ask them...."Whyyy??"

[@UpstateMediaNY]

A Boston fan, no doubt.

[@ahmadbryant2528]

I want the nba on nbc again

[@johnlilly8519]

Peacock should use this theme

[@stevekalba9951]

Oh..I didnt know Steve Martin composed this well excuuuuuuuuuuse MEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! :)

[@LogoMan7777]

I'm thinking it's a different Steve Martin.

[@jpwjr1199]

@@LogoMan7777 It may not be - Steve Martin, the wild and crazy guy, is an accomplished musician

[@joey3627]

This and “Gathering Crowds” from TWIB, made for a great Saturday afternoon. I believe MLB took a major hit when they moved to CBS in 1990. Pat O’Brien in the studio with Sean McDonough and Tim Mcarver with Jack Buck on occasion (I grew up with the Cards) we’re good but didn’t hold a candle to Vin and Joe..

[@MrT8599]

I don't understand why NBC would introduce this theme in 1986 but only for the World Series. They should have used the Game of the Week Theme.

[@byrd59]

They did use it as the Game of the Week theme in 1989, their final year of carrying the package before CBS took over.

[@MrT8599]

Cathode Ray 60 i know that

[@byrd59]

Tyler Nersinger Seems reasonable to have a playoffs-only theme. The existing GOTW theme remained popular enough during the 1987 and '88 seasons.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Tyler Nersinger then why were you being a dick about it? CBS created a theme just for the Super Bowl a few months later and it ended up being the iconic college football theme they still use to this day. Their awesome pots and pans theme remained the regular season/playoff theme until 1989.

[@jonathan_tong93]

©1999 Star Records, Inc., ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, and Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.

[@joshua_gltm]

"NBC 35th" that ball unveiled on 1961.

[@jonathan_tong93]

The 1986-1989 MLB on NBC Theme was first used by the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation in 1999 for the 25th Anniversary of the first World Series aired on Philippine Television that occurred in 1974 via the Radio Philippines Network and the Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation Net 25 did not used the 86 World Series theme from NBC during the 30th Anniversary of the World Series on Philippine Television in 2004 but they went on to used it during the 35th, 40th, and the 45th anniversaries of the World Series on Philippine Television in 2009, 2014, and 2019

[@johnnysama]

I'd love to see someone make an extended edit of this music piece as heard in the 1986 World Series end credits, where instead of ending @ 2:23, it resets to the start. Would anybody with the expertise do that? Thanks. :D

[@StormFive]

If you reply with an email address I have a clean splice that extends several minutes I can send you.

[@wr70beh]

“BEHIND THE BAG!!!”

[@cleotildeguevarra6172]

The 1986-1989 MLB on NBC theme was first used by ABS-CBN for their coverage of the 1999 World Series (when they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the World Series on Philippine Television when the now-defunct Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation aired the 1974 World Series), and it is currently used by Net 25 for their coverages of the 2004, 2009, and 2014 World Series (as they celebrated the 30th, 35th, and 40th anniversaries of the World Series on Philippine Television after the 1994 World was cancelled due to the 1994-95 MLB Strike and ABC-5 and World TV 21 would have been the broadcasters) Also Peter Musngi from ABS-CBN would open the 1999 World Series with the 1986-1989 Major League Baseball on NBC Theme: "Celebrating 25 Years of the World Series on Philippine Television since 1974, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation in association with Major League Baseball proudly presents, The 1999 World Series! The 25th anniversary of the World Series on Philippine Television! Today, it's Game 1, the New York Yankees versus the Atlanta Braves!" Aside from that, Mico Halili and Butch Maniego called from the old Yankee Stadium and Turner Field in all four games of the 1999 World Series

[@clarenceboddicker1162]

Was also the theme in 1985 and a few others. I think this was the theme 85-90

[@joshw6993]

I am 43....was 9 in 1986.....SO DAMN GLAD to have watched Game 6&7 with Dad.....and SO DAMN GLAD Bahstan LOST!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎓

[@richcerasale8909]

I hope nbc gets back mlb in 2022

[@sdidovich1]

I agree with you

[@byrd56]

@@sdidovich1 Sorry, but in Nov 2018, Fox extended its deal with Baseball to 2028. The only consolation is that ESPN and TBS haven't extended their deals past 2021.

[@chrisguardiano6143]

Steve Byrd 2021 is also the year NBC’s current deals with the English Premier League and the NHL expire so one way they could reacquire MLB is if they give up either one or both of those properties to Turner Sports or ESPN. Or they could simply outbid them for the rights. If NBC got the ESPN portion of the contract it would be very difficult for them to do Sunday night games during football season especially in September. As a way to relieve this issue they could have midweek games on NBCSN and games Sunday afternoon or Saturday night on NBC depending on what TBS wants.

[@coreylevine3856]

You saw the Future NBC got it back today 5 years later

[@RossLipter]

'86!

[@1985OldSkool]

If NBC Sports was still doing the game of the week in the 2020s, the announcer would say something like this: "NBC Sports presents, Major League Baseball Game of the Week. Today, from Citi Field, the Washington Nationals take on the New York Mets." or "Today, from Chase Field, the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks."

[@Game-zn8gv]

Old school MLB.

[@Fireinthestubble]

Where can I buy this song? It brings back memories of the 86 Mets. 😢

[@jmramos0109]

WELCOME BACK MLB ON NBC!!!!

[@thatdannykelly4503]

CBS was a disaster from the start. Low key presentation, inconsistent scheduling. Forgettable in almost every way despite having 2 terrific WS in 91 and 93. NBC were superior in every category.

[@MrJsfingers]

But their NBA on CBS theme was right up there with this opening theme!

[@thatdannykelly4503]

@@MrJsfingers That's true.

[@Knightmessenger]

I thought Clark Gault composed this theme.

[@byrd59]

I usually see him listed as the composer, as well. But the official copyright claim on this video -- which lets me use it but says the owner can monetize it -- says: Heroes - Killer Tracks - Steve Martin Sound recording

[@MusicFromNBAFilms]

Would you know the track used in 1984 NBC Baseball Game Of The Week (Pre Game Show), also used in 1986 Sweet Sixteen - Boston Celtics NBA film? kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWjVlpmAp7uDaLc From 5:21 to 7:48. Thank you!

[@JimmySand9]

Heck of a leap from “King Tut” to this. Don’t @ me.

[@rrvtjd]

www.gpgmusic.com/steve-martin/

[@steveprestegard5151]

I didn't know this had a name. This was similar to NBC's Super Bowl XIII and XV theme music, though that was somewhat more bombastic than this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6OcYY2fhbqkpM0