Fang's Bites

Press Releases That Are Here For You to Read

I have some press releases that are left over from Tuesday so let’s post them so I can sleep.

Starting with NFL.com, the website has a weeklong series devoted to five players hoping to make the grade.

PROFILES THE JOURNEY OF FIVE PLAYERS FIGHTING FOR AN NFL ROSTER SPOT

Training Camp Series Features Super Bowl XLII hero David Tyree, Vikings’ Ian Johnson, Falcons’ Coy Wire, Texans’ Boomer Grigsby and Cardinals’ Lance Long

The most interesting stories during training camp don’t always surround the stars; sometimes the best stories are about players trying to follow their dreams to make an NFL team. Starting this week and throughout training camp NFL.com will follow five such players battling to make their team’s roster.

Log on to NFL.com beginning this week for stories, features, interviews and videos as the On the Fringe series follows these players:

Monday, July 27 – RB Ian Johnson, Minnesota Vikings: The undrafted rookie hopes to earn a spot behind Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

Tuesday, July 28 – LB Coy Wire, Atlanta Falcons: He fought back from a near career-ending injury to captain the Falcons’ special teams but must continue to fight off younger players to retain his roster spot.

Wednesday, July 29 – WR David Tyree, New York Giants: Best known for his helmet catch during Super Bowl XLII, Tyree must re-earn his spot after missing the 2008 season due to injury.

Thursday, July 30 – FB Boomer Grigsby, Houston Texans: Cut by the Miami Dolphins after Week 1 last season, Grigsby thought his NFL career was over until the Houston Texans called during the spring.

Friday, July 31 – WR Lance Long, Arizona Cardinals: After spending his rookie season on the practice squad, Long hopes to make the jump to the Cardinals’ active roster in 2009.

Visit http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=09000d5d8116ffad&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true to follow the five hopefuls throughout the 2009 preseason.

To Sirius NFL Radio which is going to be at every NFL training camp through August 19.

SIRIUS NFL RADIO TRAINING CAMP TOUR KICKS OFF JULY 29

Annual radio series will feature live on-site broadcasts from all 32 NFL team training camps

Plus live coverage of 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement

NEW YORK – July 28, 2009 - SIRIUS XM Radio, the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, will kick off the fifth annual SIRIUS NFL Radio Training Camp Tour on Wednesday, July 29, featuring extensive coverage of all 32 NFL team camps plus the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

All programming is available to both SIRIUS and XM subscribers nationwide exclusively on SIRIUS NFL Radio, SIRIUS XM’s 24-hour NFL channel (SIRIUS channel 124 and XM channel 124 with the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package).

Over 22 days – July 29 to Aug. 19 – SIRIUS NFL Radio hosts will broadcast live on location from all 32 NFL training camp sites around the country, giving listeners access to their favorite teams and players as they prepare for the coming season. Each show will present an expert breakdown of every team, one-on-one interviews with players, coaches and franchise executives, and candid reports on rookies, veterans and free agents.

A full schedule detailing show times, hosts and locations appears below.

SIRIUS NFL Radio personalities on the tour include former players, coaches, front office executives and other insiders including: longtime Dallas Cowboys pro personnel executive Gil Brandt, former NFL defensive lineman Tim Ryan, former NFL front office executive Pat Kirwan, former NFL QB Jim Miller, former NFL defensive back Solomon Wilcots, former NFL lineman Ross Tucker, former NFL coach Dean Dalton, plus NFL experts Peter King, Adam Schein, Vic Carucci and Howard Balzer.

On Saturday, August 8, SIRIUS XM will present a full day of live coverage from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH for the 2009 enshrinement ceremonies. Listeners will hear live coverage as the class of 2009 is inducted – which includes wide receiver Bob Hayes, guard Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, linebacker Derrick Thomas, owner Ralph Wilson and defensive back Rod Woodson.

A detailed tour map featuring camp locations, dates, times and featured hosts can be found at www.sirius.com/nfl. Fans can also interact with SIRIUS NFL Radio hosts and other listeners on SIRIUS NFL Radio’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/siriusnflradio) or by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/siriusnflradio.

As the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, SIRIUS XM broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide, from the preseason through the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl. Listeners can hear home and visiting team broadcasts, national radio broadcasts and Spanish-language broadcasts for select games.

2009 SIRIUS NFL Radio Training Camp Tour Schedule: (All times ET)

Wed, July 29: Buffalo Bills, Pittsford, NY

8-11am The Opening Drive with Ross Tucker and Peter King

Sat, Aug. 1: Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio, TX

11am-2pm Press Coverage with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

New England Patriots, Foxborough, MA

2-6pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Sun, Aug. 2: Houston Texans, Houston, TX

12-4pm The End Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Chicago Bears, Bourbonnais, IL

4-8pm NFL Rewind with Jim Miller and Dean Dalton

Mon, Aug. 3: St. Louis Rams, Earth City, MO

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Howard Balzer and Jim Miller

Minnesota Vikings, Mankato, MN

1-4pm The Red Zone with Dean Dalton and Paul Allen

New York Giants, Albany, NY

4-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Tue, Aug. 4: Indianapolis Colts, Terre Haute, IN

12-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

New York Jets, Cortland, NY

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Wed, Aug. 5: Cincinnati Bengals, Georgetown, KY

1-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

Cleveland Browns, Berea, OH

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Thu, Aug. 6: Tennessee Titans, Nashville, TN

12-3pm The Red Zone with Solomon Wilcots and Jim Miller

Pittsburgh Steelers, Latrobe, PA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Fri, Aug. 7: New Orleans Saints, Metairie, LA

3-7pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Pittsburgh Steelers, Latrobe, PA

7-10pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Sat, Aug. 8: Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, OH

Live coverage from Canton begins at 8am

Sun, Aug. 9: Philadelphia Eagles, Bethlehem, PA

12-4pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Ross Tucker

Mon, Aug. 10: Washington Redskins, Ashburn, VA

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Carolina Panthers, Spartanburg, SC

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

San Francisco 49ers, Santa Clara, CA

8-11pm Late Hits with Randy Cross and Gil Brandt

Tue, Aug. 11: Baltimore Ravens, Westminster, MD

10am-1pm The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein and Solomon Wilcots

Denver Broncos, Englewood, CO

1-3pm The Red Zone with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller

Atlanta Falcons, Flowery Branch, GA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan, Pat Kirwan and Randy Cross

Wed, Aug. 12: Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Seattle Seahawks, Renton, WA

8-11pm Late Hits with Ross Tucker and Jim Miller

Thu, Aug. 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Fri, Aug. 14: Miami Dolphins, Davie, FL

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

Mon, Aug. 17: Kansas City Chiefs, River Falls, WI

1-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

San Diego Chargers, San Diego, CA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller

Tue, Aug. 18: Green Bay Packers, Green Bay, WI

12-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Arizona Cardinals, Flagstaff, AZ

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller

Wed, Aug. 19: Detroit Lions, Allen Park, MI

1-3pm The Red Zone with Vic Carucci and Gil Brandt

Oakland Raiders, Napa Valley, CA

3-7pm Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

** Schedule subject to change. **

NASCAR fans can vote for the inaugural class to be inducted into the new NASCAR Hall of Fame.

NASCAR.com Announces Online Fan Voting for Inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame

Fan vote marks the first time a major sport has allowed fans have taken part in Hall of Fame voting process

NASCAR.com announced today that fans will be able to take part in the voting process for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame. This is the first time a major sport has allowed fans to be part of a Hall of Fame election process. Beginning today, July 28th, fans can log-on to http://www.nascar.com/hall to cast their vote for up to five legends for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. NASCAR fans collectively will represent one of the 51 ballots on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Committee. In an effort to educate fans on the accomplishments of the 25 nominees, videos, photos and bios are available on the site. Fans must register to vote and can only fill out a Hall of Fame ballot one time.

We get a release from Universal Sports touting its acquisition of the Vuelta a Espana, one of the biggest cycling races of the year.

Universal Sports Inks Four-Year Deal to Broadcast the Vuelta a Espana

Network Now Home to Two of the Three Grand Tours of Road Cycling

LOS ANGELES (July 28, 2009) – Universal Sports announced today it has inked an exclusive four-year multimedia deal to broadcast the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain), a three-week road cycling stage race that is one of the three Grand Tours of Europe and part of the UCI World Ranking calendar. Universal Sports will broadcast throughout next month’s Vuelta, beginning with the start in Assen, Holland, on August 29, and ending in Madrid, Spain, on September 22.

The Vuelta will join the Giro d’Italia in Universal Sports’ cycling schedule, giving the network two of the three Grand Tours and firmly establishing Universal Sports as the cable leader in cycling coverage. Additional cycling events on Universal Sports include the Tour of the Basque Country, the Road Cycling and Track Cycling World Championships, other UCI Road and Track events, BMX World Championships, Mountain Bike, Cyclocross and more.

“We’re thrilled to have the Vuelta as part of our growing cycling lineup, allowing us to provide viewers with more of the world’s top cycling events, including two of the three Grands,” said Carlos Silva, president and COO of Universal Sports.

“Collectively between Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com, we’ll show every moment of this exciting competition, offering the most broadcast and online coverage of the Vuelta ever.”

Coverage will be led by David Michaels, executive producer of Universal Sports, who brings more than 30 years experience in producing international cycling events. Michaels produced Universal’s highly acclaimed coverage of the 2009 Giro d’Italia this past May.

Universal Sports will provide more than nine hours of Vuelta programming every day during the three-week event. Every stage will be shown LIVE at UniversalSports.com every morning and replayed on Universal Sports network. Each night, Universal Sports will show an enhanced stage replay in Primetime. Additionally, UniversalSports.com will have an online TRACKER that will show each rider’s location on the course, stage maps, and integrated videos. The site will also offer full-length videos, highlights, photos, recaps, and behind-the-scenes interviews.

Finally, here’s a preview of Thursday’s Homecoming program on ESPN.

Legend Tony Hawk Skates Home With Rick Reilly

Coinciding with the anniversary of his first 900 and the opening night of X Games 15, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk returns to San Diego on the next episode of ESPN’s original series – Homecoming with Rick Reilly. Hosted by 11-time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, the show challenges that old adage “you can’t go home again.” The episode will be televised July 30, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Filmed in mid-May, Reilly talked with the skateboarding pioneer about life as an outcast and his lonely time at the top in front of an intimate audience at Farb Middle School, Hawk’s alma mater. In the crowd was Hawk’s mom, Nancy, fellow members of the revolutionary “Bones Brigade” and X Games stars Bob Burnquist and Bucky Lasek. During the 1-hour show, Hawk gives Reilly a tour of Tony Hawk, INC, which includes a sneak-peek at “The Ride,” his new videogame that will be released later this year. After the interview, Hawk performs an exclusive private skate demo for the kids in the audience. Also captured on film are intimate moments between Hawk and his children as he skates with eldest son and rising street skater, Riley and one-year-old daughter, Kadence, who also enjoys a quick ride with daddy.

Excerpts from the Tony Hawk episode:

“Bones Brigade” member Lance Mountain on Hawk “What he’s done with skateboarding and has done for us, has benefited all the other kids that ever skated.”

Hawk on life at the top “If I didn’t win…they’re like ugh, he’s over, he lost…And there were guys who come up to me and say ‘Oh man, I’m just hoping to get second place.’ And that was supposed to be a compliment but it was crushing…It was lonely at the top…it was just difficult to be in that position at such a young age, and to have so much expected of me , that I just wanted to step back and go I don’t want to, I don’t want to compete.”

Hawk talking to the kids in the audience “If you’re doing something and it’s different and maybe its not the coolest thing but you really love doing it, keep doing it because no matter what if you keep doing what you love you’ll be happy in the end I’m living proof of that.”

We’re done.

When A Tweet Is Not A Tweet

Tonight as Red Sox fans were ready to watch the Jim Rice retirement ceremony at Fenway Park, there was a buzz on the internet after a Tweet stated that the Sox were close to a trade with the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Cliff Lee. It came from an account that said it was “WEEI850AM”. It had the WEEI logo and linked to the station’s website. The Tweet appeared to come from WEEI.com editor Rob Bradford as it said,

UPDATE: Bradford says the #redsox and #Indians are close to a trade that would send Lee to Boston for Bowden, Reddick and another prospect

That tweet was picked up by a legitimate account, MLBTradeRumors which sent it out to its 10,000 followers and was spread among Red Sox fans who were excited about this development. Red Sox beat writers scrambled looking for clues.

I e-mailed Rob to get his version of events and he picks up the story from there:

I was away from the park, spending some time with my family when I got a call from Ian Browne of MLB.com at about 6:30 p.m. asking me what was up with “this Cliff Lee thing”. I had no idea what he was talking about. He explained that there were reports all over the internet that I was reporting that the Red Sox were close to a trade for Cliff Lee. I didn’t know what to say. It was completely out of nowhere. I jumped on a computer and immediately looked on our site and saw nothing was there. I then went to MLB Trade Rumors and saw the post saying that “Rob Bradford reports…” I clicked on the link and saw the WEEI logo all over this Twitter account. For a second I thought somebody in our organization had posted to our Twitter account without me knowing. But then I saw there were only 50 followers and knew this wasn’t a real account, which I obviously quickly verified upon closer examination. But by this time the report had already seeped into multiple corners of the internet. I immediately told Ian that this was bogus and to spread the word, which he did, with help from other WEEI.com writers — such as Mike Petraglia, Joe Haggerty, and Alex Speier — who were in the Fenway press box. (Let me take time here to thank everybody who quickly helped get out the right information.)

It was an odd feeling, not really having an answer how to stop this from spreading. Alex and myself contacted the team officials to apologize for any inconvenience and explain the situation (when something like this is written they get a massive amount of emails trying to confirm or deny such a report). I posted on my own Twitter account as well as WEEI’s real one, while also explaining the situation on our blog, Full Count. I let the folks at MLB Trade Rumors know what happened, and they were very diligent in posting the real story immediately, which was greatly appreciated. Then we just asked everybody and anybody to get the word out that this was not our Twitter account and this was not my report.

As time passed word did get out that this wasn’t my report, which was somewhat gratifying. And Entercom has continued to do due diligence regarding the matter. But this was a HUGE wake-up call. Think about it — was there any Twitter feeds referenced during last year’s trade deadline? Don’t think so. I’m sure this might spawn copy-cats, but what will also do is make news-gathering organizations think twice about where they get info from.

Rob says WEEI is working with their lawyers and Twitter to take down the fake account, but as of 10:08 p.m., it’s still up. The lesson here is that we all have to be careful about Twitter. While it has become an important social networking tool, there are still disadvantages like the fake accounts.

As we’re all aware, fake athlete and celebrity accounts have forced Twitter to verify the real athletes and celebrities who post on Twitter. The service may have to do the same with legitimate media accounts.

MLB Network Covers the Trade Deadline Plus One More Thing

As a virus and a worm get spread on Twitter, I’ll give you a post where I feel it’s at least somewhat safe.

One press release from MLB Network and another from MLB.com.

MLB Network says it will devote all day Friday to the Trading Deadline.

MLB NETWORK TO AIR 15 HOURS OF LIVE TRADE DEADLINE COVERAGE FRIDAY, JULY 31

Coverage to include historical features narrated by MLB Network’s Bob Costas

July 28, 2009 – MLB Network today announced its coverage plans for the Major League trade deadline on Friday, July 31 with MLB Tonight: Trade Deadline Special. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, MLB Network will go live from Studio 3 in its Secaucus, New Jersey headquarters and remain on-air until MLB Tonight is off the air, totaling approximately 15 hours of live coverage.

MLB Network hosts Greg Amsinger, Victor Rojas and Matt Vasgersian will alternate hosting duties with analysis from MLB Network’s John Hart, Jon Heyman, Joe Magrane, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and Mitch Williams. MLB Scouting Bureau Director Frank Marcos and MLB.com senior writer Jonathan Mayo will also join to discuss projected club line-ups and starting rotations, free agents in 2009 and 2010, and what Minor Leaguers may soon become household names. MLB Network reporter Hazel Mae, who is traveling with the Toronto Blue Jays tracking updates on pitcher Roy Halladay through Friday, and MLB Network Baseball Insider Ken Rosenthal will check in throughout the day offering updates and predictions.

MLB Network’s Bob Costas will narrate six editions of “MLB Network Remembers,” looking back at significant trades in Major League Baseball history, including Hall of Famer Lou Brock’s trade to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. Other editions highlight David Cone’s trade to the New York Yankees, Mark McGwire’s trade to the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Boston Red Sox trading for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek in 1997.

“The Major League trade deadline generates tremendous interest from baseball fans and we knew it would be important to provide expanded coverage on Friday and throughout this week,” said Tony Petitti, President and CEO of MLB Network. “We’re looking forward to using all of our resources to give fans the latest updates on each club’s trade activity and predict how these trades can affect the second half of the season.”

Friday’s coverage will also include live streaming on MLB.com from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET, use of MLB Network Ballpark Cameras at U.S. Cellular Field, PETCO Park and Busch Stadium for interviews with club managers and players, and graphics with a trade-specific ticker highlighting information about clubs’ trade deadline history.

And the New York Yankees became the first team in MLB to have one million registered users.

NEW YORK YANKEES BECOME THE FIRST MLB CLUB TO REACH ONE MILLION REGISTERED USERS

NEW YORK, July 28, 2009 – MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, announced today that the New York Yankees this month became the first of the 30 Major League Clubs to surpass one million registered users for free newsletters and alerts, including exclusive ticketing opportunities, via its official Web site, www.Yankees.com.

“We are proud to reach a milestone that is representative of the passion and commitment Yankees fans have demonstrated for generations,” said Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost. “Yankees fans from every corner of the globe, including fans from each of the 50 United States, have embraced the exclusive online benefits delivered to their inbox.”

With free registration of a valid email address, Yankees fans can personalize their subscriptions to any of a number of direct communications to stay connected with the Club, including the Yankees Insider newsletter, a weekly source for exclusive inside-the-clubhouse stories, the latest ticketing opportunities, prospect scouting reports, discounts on authentic Yankees merchandise, photo galleries, video highlights and Yankees trivia.

Some of the other free newsletter and alert subscription options for Yankees fans to have delivered directly to their inbox include breaking news alerts, postgame alerts, ticket alerts and shop and memorabilia auction information. In addition, the Yankees offer a Spanish-language weekly newsletter. All newsletters are available in an HTML format with photos, graphics and features unavailable in the plain text format.

There you go.

Our Tuesday Links

I have work to do so I’m going to go through the links as quickly as I can so I can free myself up for work throughout the day. And for some reason, I’m craving chicken salad for lunch.

To the links.

In case you didn’t see the totally bizarre press conference in which Mets General Manager Omar Minaya called out New York Daily News reporter Adam Rubin during the announcement of the firing of Tony Bernazard, here it is. Seeing Rubin’s reaction was priceless.

Rubin refutes the charges that Minaya made against him during the press conference.

Christian Red of the Daily News says SNY’s Mets announcing crew criticized Minaya for calling out Rubin.

The Daily News has the transcript of SNY’s Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling talking about the press conference.

Also from the Daily News, Flip Bondy felt Minaya’s attack was a cheap shot at Rubin.

Newsday’s Neil Best gives his take on the press conference.

Neil has more reaction in his blog. Neil suggests Minaya not do press conferences for a while.

Ben Shpgiel of the New York Times gets Rubin’s reaction to the whole affair.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News can’t believe Omar Minaya’s behavior after getting to know him as a member of the Texas Rangers organization.

In regards to the Erin Andrews story, Bonnie Erbe in U.S. News & World Report tells women to stop being a part of the sports culture. I think Bonnie is not a sports fan.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell has comments from Yankees President Randy Levine about slow ticket sales.

Here’s the video of that interview.

The lovely Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald picks up a story that I first reported over the weekend, that former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni will remain on WEEI after being courted by CBS Radio.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette has some news and notes.

Courtney A. Erickson of the Oneonta (NY) Daily Star talks with Baseball Hall of Fame announcer Tony Kubek who no longer is connected to the game.

Keith Groller from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes about a local TV reporter who appears to be on the verge of getting her big break.

Keith has some more TV news and notes in his blog.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Tony Barnhart writes in his excellent college football blog that the ACC has to find a way to bridge the money gap with the SEC.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman previews CNBC’s updated documentary on Ultimate Fighting.

Richie Whitt of the Dallas Observer writes that local sports personality Dale Hansen quit his job at the local ESPN Radio affiliate after being told not to talk about the Ben Roethlisberger story.

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press found new ESPN/ABC college football analyst Matt Millen at the Big Ten conference media days.

Don Walker of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Packers are looking for a sponsor patch to adorn its practice jersey.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times didn’t notice anything special about ESPN’s announcing experiment during last night’s Dodgers-Cardinals game.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles wishes the Baseball Writers Association of America would follow the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America’s lead on steroids.

Sarah Johnson of Marketing Magazine says Sky Sports plans to run an ad campaign in regards to ESPN picking up the rights to the English Premier League.

Darryl Broadfoot of The Herald writes that noted soccer announcer Derek Rae will call Scottish Premier League games for ESPN in the UK.

Nancy Gay of Fanhouse talks with incoming Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rod Woodson of the NFL Network.

The great Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball worked very hard on this and you should read it (I’m part of it, but that’s not the reason you should read it). He asked writers, bloggers and broadcasters about the impact of social networking on their work.

Dan Levy in the latest edition of On the DL talks with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina about a whole plethora of subjects.

The Big Lead says ESPN is denying that it has an Enemies List based on the Erin Andrews story.

Ms. Kristine Leahy has the latest edition of The Five on WEEI.com

Amanda Bruno of Batter-up with Bruno gives thanks to your humble blogger for the linkage yesterday. My pleasure, Amanda.

That’s it. During the middle of the links, I went out to get a chicken salad sandwich so my craving is taken care of. Time to do some work. See you all later.

A Couple of Things for You

I have a leftover press release from last night plus a viewing reminder for tonight.

First, ESPN2 carries the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.

2009 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday on ESPN2

Landon Donovan and MLS’s Best vs. English Premier League’s Everton FC

First MLS All-Star Event at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah

ESPN2 will present live coverage of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET from Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The special presentation of MLS Game of the Week series will feature the MLS All-Stars versus Everton FC of the English Premier League. The match will be aired in high definition and will be available on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile.

Seattle Sounders’ Freddie Ljungberg, making his MLS All-Star debut, will join Chicago Fire midfielder and former Mexican National Team star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donovan, as the roster of 18 top-tier MLS players faces 2009 FA Cup finalists Everton FC, which features U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard. Other international stars on Everton’s roster include Tim Cahill (Australia), Louis Saha (France), Marouane Fellaini (Belgium) and Steven Pienaar (South Africa).

JP Dellacamera and John Harkes, ESPN and ABC’s lead soccer play-by-play and analyst team for the U.S. National Team and MLS, will call the action, with sideline reporter Allen Hopkins. Rob Stone, Alexi Lalas and Julie Foudy will host the studio coverage including pre-game, halftime and post-game segments live from Rio Tinto Stadium. Coverage will also include live, in-game interviews with select coaches and/or players.

Golfer Anna Rawson who’s been getting some buzz on the sports blogosphere is going to be on ESPN’s E:60 tonight.

Anna Rawson on E:60

Tune in to see Anna Rawson on E:60 this Tuesday at 7 pm EST on ESPN. Tom Farrey interviews Rawson about her unique career, controversial comments, and the state of the LPGA. See commentary by LPGA players Annika Sorenstam, Morgan Pressel, and Jan Stephenson.

Also, join Anna live on ESPN SportsNation to chat about her first year on tour, the financial future of the tour, and her modeling career.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/27633/lpga-anna-rawson

See Anna Rawson play in the 2009 British Open this week. July 30-31 on TNT and August 1-2 on ABC.

Here’s a preview of the E:60 feature tonight:

That’s it before I start doing the links.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

MLB

American League
Oakland at Red Sox – Comcast SportsNet California/NESN, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Baltimore – Fox Sports Kansas City/MASN2, 7 p.m.
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay – WWOR/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota – Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Texas – Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
Cleveland at Anaheim Angels – STO/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.
Toronto at Seattle – Rogers Sportsnet/FSN Northwest, 10 p.m.

National League
Atlanta at Florida – SportSouth/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Colorado at New York Mets – FSN Rocky Mountain/SNY, 7 p.m.
San Diego at Cincinnati – Cox 4/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Houston at Chicago Cubs – Fox Sports Houston/WGN America, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis – KCAL/Fox Sports Midwest, 8 p.m.
Washington at Milwaukee – MASN/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Arizona – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at San Francisco – FSN Pittsburgh/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10 p.m.

MLB Tonight: 1st to 3rd – MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight: Roundtripper Final – MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
The Superstars – ABC, 8 p.m.
Big Brother 11 – CBS, 9 p.m.
America’s Got Talent – NBC, 9 p.m.
Deadliest Catch – Discovery, 9 p.m.
Saving Grace – TNT, 10 p.m.
Rescue Me – FX, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Even More Monday Links

We have a bunch of links this evening and let’s get to them before I start watching Weeds on Showtime.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe gives his impressions on NESN’s Jim Rice who finally got into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Neil Best of Newsday notes that Mets GM Omar Minaya called out a New York Daily News beat writer during a press conference to announce Tony Bernazard’s firing. Following that on Twitter, people were commenting on what a train wreck the press conference was. You can see video of Minaya calling out reporter Adam Rubin and Rubin’s reaction to SNY right here.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says backup Orlando Magic center won’t be wearing Reeboks next season after criticizing the company for not paying him enough.

Darren writes that Jack Nicklaus is not optimistic for golf course design next year.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette looks at MLB Network’s upcoming schedule of live games.

P.J. Harmer of the Oneota (NY) Daily Star says Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Tony Kubek totally winged it during his induction speech yesterday.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes about the Bengals getting ready to be on HBO’s Hard Knocks this summer. Thanks to Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News for the link.

Richie Witt of the Dallas Observer says popular sports personality Dale Hansen is dropping his radio show.

Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times says fans can Tweet questions to the Pac 10′s football coaches during the conference media days.

Zennie Abraham of the San Francisco Chronicle cannot believe that Erin Andrews topped a media listing on Mediate.

Ryan Leong of the San Francisco Examiner raves about Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s SportsNet Central programs.

Evan Weiner warns that Jacksonville could be losing the Jaguars to Los Angeles down the line.

Mike Fleming of Variety reports that ESPN Films, NFL Films and a Hollywood production company are teaming up on a feature on the late Packer coach Vince Lombardi.

Rich Thomaselli of Advertisting Age says with newspapers reducing their motorsports coverage, NASCAR is handpicking 28 motorsports blogs and credentialing them to help cover races starting this month.

The Sports Media Watch has caught ESPN. A week after refusing to initially report the civil suit against Ben Roethlisberger saying it doesn’t report on civil suits, ESPN is now reporting the civil lawsuit against Indianapolis Colts WR Marvin Harrison.

SportsbyBrooks reports that Fox Sports Radio demotes J.T. the Brick and replaces him with Tony Bruno.

Jay Busbee of Yahoo! Sports wondered why Golf Channel did not air the entire rain-delayed final found of the Canadian Open today.

Mike Bailey of World Golf says the estranged son of former New York City Rudolph Giuliani will be on the next edition of Big Break.

Deadspin says USA Today’s Christine Brennan continues to make statements against Erin Andrews.

MLB Network’s Victor Rojas who has his own MLB.com blog called “The Spoils”, talks about his experience at the Baseball Hall of Fame over the weekend.

Joe Favorito talks about Affliction getting out of the event production business to do what it does best.

Christopher Byrne of Eye on Sports Media talks about legendary Georgia football voice Larry Munson writing about his days in the broadcast booth.

Rafat Ali of paidContent.org talks about Fox Sports buying a stake into OpenSports and furthering its commitment into fantasy sports.

A photographer is suing ESPN for using one of her images without her consent.

Amanda Bruno (linked twice in one day!) of the Batter-up with Bruno blog discovers the actual height of Red Sox All-Star and reigning American League MVP Dustin Pedroia.

This has nothing to do with sports media or my Browns, but I promised Steelergurl I would link to her training camp preview if she would put me back in her blogroll after she redesigned her site. She did and thus I give you the link.

I found more links than I thought. That’s it. See you back here tomorrow.

MLB Network Announces Live Games Through August 8

This is MLB Network’s schedule for Thursday and Saturday Night Baseball through 08/08/09.

MLB NETWORK ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE OF LIVE GAMES THROUGH AUGUST 8

Games to air on “Thursday Night Baseball” and “Saturday Night Baseball” as American League and National League Postseason Races Heat Up

Secaucus, N.J., July 27, 2009 – MLB Network today announced its schedule of live Thursday and Saturday night games from July 30 through August 8, 2009, featuring seven MLB clubs in four live regular season games.

This week’s Thursday night game will air on July 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox and MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Jim Kaat calling the game. The following week will showcase an A.L. East showdown with the Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees on August 6. As N.L. Division Series and Wild Card races intensify, MLB Network will also feature postseason hopefuls Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, starting with the Astros at Cardinals on Saturday, August 1.

Saturday Night Baseball will be simulcasts of local broadcasts, including local announcers. On Saturdays, MLB Tonight will provide in-game updates on developments throughout MLB as well as news, analysis and highlights following the game telecast.

MLB Network’s complete live game broadcast schedule from July 30 through August 8 appears below.

MLB NETWORK LIVE GAME SCHEDULE THROUGH AUGUST 8, 2009 (all times Eastern):

July 30 – 8:00 p.m. Yankees @ White Sox – Bob Costas & Jim Kaat

August 1 – 7:00 p.m. Astros @ Cardinals

August 6 – 7:00 p.m. Red Sox @ Yankees – Bob Costas & Jim Kaat

August 8 – 8:00 p.m. Cubs @ Rockies

Games will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory. Viewers in areas subject to blackouts will be provided with an alternate game telecast or other programming. MLB Network will continue to announce future Thursday Night Baseball and Saturday night games coinciding with its selection windows.

MLB Tonight, the signature program of MLB Network during the regular season, airs live beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET until the final MLB game of the night ends each Monday through Friday, featuring live look-ins of games in progress, updates, highlights, reporting and analysis. On Saturday nights, the show provides in-game updates and then airs after the game’s conclusion, while on Thursday nights, the show leads in to Thursday Night Baseball, providing viewers with highlights and analysis after the game as well as live studio updates during the game broadcast.

Looks like Costas & Kaat may be working down the stretch for the pennant races which is not a bad thing at all.

More Monday Links

Some links on a Monday.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with several members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who are in favor of making their votes public.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NBC Universal pans to make its rarely seen mun2 channel available on August 12 for free just in time for that day’s USA-Mexico World Cup qualifying game. This includes DirecTV, Dish Network and other providers.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes that tickets can be had at Citi Field for cheap!

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says Scott Garceau and Anita Marks are cleaning up in the afternoon drive timeslot for MASN and 105.7 FM in Baltimore.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer wishes ESPN’s Chris Mortensen would pay a visit to the Queen City.

Stacy Straczynksi of Mediaweek writes Sports Illustrated and Nissan are teaming up for a 10 city tour of the Heisman Trophy.

Len Berman’s Top 5 is in the Huffington Post.

The Sports Media Watch says ratings for the WNBA All-Star Game on ABC weren’t good.

And SMW says despite having Michael Phelps in the pool for the World Aquatics Championships, the ratings weren’t worth the hype.

The 38 Cliches blog links to two podcasts from former Red Sox announcer Jerry Trupiano.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media is happy to see an Atlanta Journal-Constitution news reporter back in the sports fold.

I’ll end it there for now.

Some Monday Press Releases to Post

I’ll provide some press releases while I can.

Here’s the interview CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta conducted with Lance Armstrong. This interview aired on today’s edition of American Morning.

In an interview that aired on today’s American Morning, CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke exclusively with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, just after he took third place at the Tour de France this weekend. Armstrong spoke candidly about the challenges he faced after a four year break, drug tests, his critics and why he has committed to race in 2010.

Full transcript:

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Today has been a remarkable 22 days for Lance Armstrong right here in France. Tour de France started in Monaco, ended right here in Paris. Fans, cancer survivors from all over the world really cheering on the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Now I set on the board of Lance Armstrong, and I can tell you, after a four-year hiatus it was a big decision for him. I caught up with him just a few hours after he took third place at the Tour de France to talk about some of the challenges, to talk about some of the criticisms that have been waged against him, and how he responds to those and to simply ask him why he decided to get involved in all of this again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (on camera): Coming in first, is that something you thought about? I mean, did you care? You write it’s not about the bike. But do you care if you come in first or not?

LANCE ARMSTRONG, THIRD PLACE AT TOUR DE FRANCE: Well, I wanted to come in first. But sometimes in sports there’s somebody that’s better.

And I was that guy for seven years. And I never understood what it felt like to get second or third. I’m 38 now. And you race guys that are 24 or 25 or 26, and they’re fast, they’re strong. They have acceleration.

They have all of the things that you had at that age. And you get third. That’s what the great thing about the Tour is that the best man always wins.

GUPTA: How was this race different for you in terms of how you trained, what you ate? Were there differences compared to five years ago?

ARMSTRONG: Well, I used a lot of the same training, the same idea with diet. I mean, the only difference, I guess, is that I’m now 38 years old. So a 38-year-old man does not wake up every day like a 28-year-old. But I can’t even complain. I mean, I think I rode well.

GUPTA: Why come back after four years? What inspired this?

ARMSTRONG: Obviously, I have to have a love for the bike. I have to have a love for the Tour. Otherwise, this is too hard. It’s just way too damn hard to go out and do this. But my passion for fighting cancer and fighting it not just in Texas or the United States but around the world.

GUPTA: When you look at you the man, Lance, and the issue of cancer, do you think that people separate that? I mean, do they understand why you’re riding and why you came back?

ARMSTRONG: Yes, I think so. You know, these days it’s easy to get feedback. When people have a comment or have an issue, they let you know. And most of them are regarding cancer. So that tells me that the people understand. They’ve been affected either themselves or a loved one and they understand it. And then they say keep going. You know, pedal hard for them tomorrow. Pedal hard for my mom or my neighbor or my co-worker.

GUPTA: One of the things you mention — you talked a lot about during the whole tour was surprise test for doping. They just come and surprise you.

ARMSTRONG: They’re not surprises any more.

GUPTA: Not surprising — 40, I think over 40 tests.

ARMSTRONG: They’re 50 — they’re 50 now.

GUPTA: What do you say to the critics? What do you say to the skeptics now at the end of the tour?

ARMSTRONG: Look, I’ve done this a long time. And I’ve been at the highest level now since 1992 until 2009. I’ve been tested more than anybody else. If I can take four years off and come back at the age of 38 with more controls than anybody else on planet Earth and get third in the hardest sporting event in the world, I think we’ve answered the questions.

In what has become a cliched and hackneyed feature not just on ESPN, but on any media outlet, ESPN NFL Insider Chris Mortensen will be reporting from 20 training camps in a span of 24 days.

Mort Goes to Camp: July 31- Aug. 23
Live Reports from 20 NFL Training Camps in 24 Days
Senior NFL Analyst Chris Mortensen to Take Three-Week Road Trip

Senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen will take a three-week road trip to cover 20 NFL team training camps in 24 days, July 31 – Aug. 23. Mortensen will travel by bus across the country and provide news and information updates from around the league daily on SportsCenter, NFL Live and other ESPN platforms.

“This trip will give me the chance to see the country and many of the teams in the league up close, said Mortensen. “I look forward to visiting with coaches, players and the front-office staff of the teams, and interacting with many passionate football fans as they get ready for the new season.”

“Mort Goes to Camp” coverage will include daily appearances on SportsCenter and NFL Live, as well as Monday Night Countdown (before ESPN’s Monday Night Football preseason games on Aug. 13 and 17); reports on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (simulcast on ESPN2); blog items, video, interactive maps and daily post cards on ESPN.com; and regular updates on Twitter (@mortreport).

Mortensen’s tour will span some 6,400 miles, beginning with a visit to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 31. The tour will conclude Aug. 23 in Miami, which will host Super Bowl XLIV in February.

“Mort Goes to Camp” Schedule:
7/31 Dallas/Arlington, TX
8/1 Dallas Cowboys (San Antonio, TX)
8/2 New Orleans Saints (Metairie, LA)
8/3 Travel to Minnesota via Hattiesburg, MS
8/4 Minnesota Vikings (Mankato, MN)
8/5 Green Bay Packers (Green Bay, WI)
8/6 Chicago Bears (Bourbonnais, IL)
8/7 Indianapolis Colts (Terre Haute, IN)
8/8 Detroit Lions (Allen Park, MI)
8/9 Cleveland Browns (Berea, Ohio)
8/10 Pittsburgh Steelers (Latrobe, PA)
8/11 Philadelphia Eagles (Bethlehem, PA)
8/12 N.Y. Jets (Hempstead, NY)
8/13 ESPN (Bristol, CT)
8/14 N.Y. Giants (Albany, NY)
8/15 New England Patriots (Foxboro, MA)
8/16 Baltimore Ravens (Westminster, MD)
8/17 Washington Redskins (Ashburn, VA)
8/18 Tennessee Titans (Nashville, TN)
8/19 Atlanta Falcons (Flowery Branch, GA)
8/20 Jacksonville Jaguars (Jacksonville, FL)
8/21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Tampa, FL)
8/22 Miami Dolphins (Davie FL)
8/23 Miami, FL

We continue with ESPN and the motorsports events it will air this week.

Motorsports This Week on ESPN

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Live from Pocono on ESPN

ESPN will have live, flag-to-flag coverage in high definition as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competes for 500 miles at the “Tricky Triangle,” Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., on Sunday, Aug. 2. The telecast is presented by Old Spice and begins with NASCAR Countdown at 1:00 p.m. ET. The race’s green flag is at 2:18 p.m.

The final 17 races of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will air on the ESPN Networks, with the first six on ESPN and the final 11 on ABC, including all 10 races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

ESPN’s coverage from Pocono includes a live telecast of NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying on Friday, July 31, at 3:27 p.m., and telecasts of two practice sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars on the 2.5-mile track, all on ESPN2. The first practice session airs Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m., while final practice airs at 11:30 a.m.

Dr. Jerry Punch will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1999 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Dale Jarrett and two-time NASCAR champion crew chief Andy Petree. Reporting from the pits will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, with two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion crew chief Tim Brewer in the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage.

Allen Bestwick will host the pre-race NASCAR Countdown program with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Brad Daugherty, owner of a winning team in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the ESPN pit studio.

Also this week, ESPN Classic will air highlights of the 1988 Budweiser 400 from Riverside International Raceway on Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. The event was the final NASCAR race ever run at the famed California road course and was won by Rusty Wallace.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Makes Iowa Speedway Debut

ESPN continues its season-long coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series this weekend as the series races for the first time ever at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. The live, flag-to-flag telecast airs on ESPN on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m. ET. ESPN2 is the home of the NASCAR Nationwide Series all season, with selected races on ESPN and ABC.

Also on Saturday, live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying airs at 1 p.m. on ESPN2, while coverage of final practice airs Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

Marty Reid will be lap-by-lap announcer for ESPN’s coverage, with analysis by 1989 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace and two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie. Reporting from the pits will be Jack Arute, Mike Massaro and Rick DeBruhl.

ESPN Pit Reporters on NASCAR Now Roundtable

The four reporters who work the pits in ESPN’s coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be panelists on NASCAR Now’s weekly roundtable discussion program on Monday, Aug. 3, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Joining host Allen Bestwick will be Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch.

Mike Massaro slides into the host role for half-hour episodes of NASCAR Now airing Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at 5 p.m., and then Nicole Manske hosts episodes airing Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m.

Manske also hosts the one-hour weekend edition that airs Sunday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. with a preview of that day’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. The weekend wrap-up edition airs at 10 p.m. Marty Smith will report from Pocono for both programs. .

NASCAR Now is hosted by Massaro, Bestwick and Manske and originates from ESPN’s high definition studios in Bristol, Conn. Contributors include NASCAR Insiders Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis, analysts Ray Evernham, Tim Brewer, Brad Daugherty, Boris Said, Ricky Craven and Randy LaJoie, and ESPN.com reporters Ed Hinton, Terry Blount and David Newton. The NASCAR on ESPN team event coverage team of Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Dr. Jerry Punch, Andy Petree, Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Spake and Vince Welch also make frequent contributions to NASCAR Now.

NHRA Lucas Oil Series Action Monday on ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic airs two hours of drag racing action featuring the NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Series on Monday, Aug. 3, beginning at 11 a.m. ET.

The first hour includes highlights from racing at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. A second hour airing at noon presents action from Englishtown, N.J.

These are the tournaments that Golf Channel will air this week.

GOLF CHANNEL TOURNAMENT COVERAGE

July 27 – August 2, 2009

Buick Open

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, Mich.

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)/2 – 5 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 3 – 6 p.m. (Live)/8:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

Saturday 1 – 2 p.m. (Live)/9:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

Sunday 1 – 2:30 p.m. (Live)/9:30 – 11:30 p.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Rich Lerner (Play by Play)

Frank Nobilo (Analyst)

Peter Oosterhuis (Tower)

Gary McCord (Tower)

Mark Lye (On Course)

Scott Walker (Interviews)

Broadcast Notes: Golf Central will recap the news and storylines from all of the tours, preview the Buick Open and deliver news and insight. Thursday – Sunday, Golf Central will broadcast live from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, delivering all of the comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the 2009 Buick Open in addition to the latest news from the Ricoh Women’s British Open and all golf’s major tours… Hosted by Kraig Kann and Brandel Chamblee on-site from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Golf Central Pre Game will prepare viewers for all of the action on the various golf tours with news, interviews and analysis. Saturday and Sunday, Golf Central Pre Game will air from 12:30 – 1 p.m. ET prior to GOLF CHANNEL’s lead-in coverage, and return for a second show from 2:30 – 3 p.m., preparing viewers for CBS Sports’ weekend action.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: The Ohio State University Golf Club, Columbus, Ohio

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Replay)/12:30 – 2:30 a.m. (Replay)

Friday 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

Saturday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

Sunday 7 – 9:30 p.m. (Replay)/Midnight – 2 a.m. (Replay)

GOLF CHANNEL On-Air Talent:

Jerry Foltz (Play by Play)

Curt Byrum (Analyst)

Kay Cockerill (Tower)

Phil Parkin (On Course)

Stephanie Sparks (On Course)

Moravia Silesia Open 2009

Dates: 7/30 – 8/2

Venue: Prosper Golf Resort, Celadna, Czech Republic

Airtimes (Eastern):

Thursday 9 a.m. – Noon (Live)

Friday 9 a.m. – Noon (Live)

Saturday 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Live)

Sunday 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Live)

HBO Sports will air a new documentary this week on the 1983 Jr. Middleweight fight between Billy Collins, Jr. and Luis Resto. Look for my review of the doc before the airing.

HBO SPORTS DOCUMENTARY “ASSAULT IN THE RING” REVISITS THE ILL-FATED 1983 JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHT FIGHT BETWEEN BILLY COLLINS JR. AND LUIS RESTO WHEN IT DEBUTS AUG. 1 ON HBO

HBO Sports presents ASSAULT IN THE RING, a documentary about the ill-fated junior middleweight bout between Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto and its subsequent effect on both boxers. Debuting SATURDAY, AUG. 1 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, the special explores the events that profoundly impacted the New York sports landscape and the world of boxing, and changed the lives of two athletes.

“This film will revisit one of boxing’s saddest days,” says Rick Bernstein, executive producer, HBO Sports. “But it’s a compelling story that we feel needs to be told, because so many lives were changed forever on that night at Madison Square Garden. This is an in-depth, comprehensive examination of that tragic event.”

“There were so many unanswered questions surrounding what really happened and who, if anybody, was responsible. What we discovered was much worse than had ever been imagined,” says director and producer Eric Drath. “However, what we ultimately found was a story that went far beyond fact-finding; what unfolded before our cameras is a story of redemption.”

ASSAULT IN THE RING revisits a boxing scandal considered one of the sport’s darkest hours, and traces a man’s despairing journey following his alleged involvement in a criminal plot. The documentary examines new evidence about this boxing match turned 30-minute assault, and reveals much more about the pre-fight activities of Luis Resto, his trainer Panama Lewis and the athletic commission representatives.

On June 16, 1983, undefeated prizefighter Billy Collins Jr. set out to fulfill every boxer’s dream of fighting in the world’s most famous arena – Madison Square Garden. Collins’ opponent, Luis Resto of the Bronx, moving up from welterweight, had his own dream of rising to the occasion in front of hometown fans. But what began as a match that Nashville native Collins was favored to win changed both athletes’ lives – ending Collins’ career dreams and landing Resto in prison.

Resto seemingly reached a fighter’s ultimate goal by upsetting Collins, but his post-fight victory celebration was short-lived when it was discovered that the padding had been illegally removed from Resto’s gloves by his trainer, Panama Lewis, before the fight. Resto was subsequently incarcerated and banned from the sport, while the brutally beaten Collins went into a tragic downward spiral. Resto gives his account of the story in the documentary.

Lewis, whose official career as a trainer came to an end that night, was also subsequently banned, and speaks for the first time in ASSAULT IN THE RING about the events of the fight and their impact. Others interviewed include: former New York State Athletic Commission chairmen Jack Prenderville, Randy Gordon and Ron Scott Stevens; members of the prosecution, defense and jury from the 1985 trial in New York, including former New York prosecutors John Bicks and Thomas Moore; attorneys Robert Beecher and Mickey Joseph; referee Tony Perez; New York State forensic scientist Charles Pampa; former New York City police detective James Rodriguez; Luis Resto’s sisters, Marta Resto and Susan Lopez; Luis Resto’s sons, Brian and Luis Jr.; and Billy Collins Jr.’s former wife, Andrea.

HBO Sports presents a Live Star Entertainment Production; director and producer, Eric Drath; for HBO: executive producers, Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; executive producer, Barry Murphy; supervising producer for HBO, Joe Lavine; writers, Aaron Cohen and Eric Drath.

CNBC will air a documentary this week in Ultimate Fighting.

The documentary will re-air on Friday, July 31st at 1AM and Sunday, August 2nd at 10PM ET.

It’s a hit business like no other. And CNBC is ready for a rematch.

Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premiere name in the sport of mixed martial arts.

CNBC takes a new look inside the biggest brand in brawling with “Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars,” a fresh take on CNBC’s original Emmy-nominated documentary from 2007.

Correspondent Scott Wapner travels to Germany for the UFC’s first-ever event in mainland Europe, and goes inside the Octagon with Dana White, the controversial front man, as well as billionaire backers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. Wapner also profiles a stable of skilled fighters who have helped the league grow from a dying franchise to a global sensation in less than a decade.

It’s not just the sport’s growing legion of fans who’ve taken notice, but Madison Avenue, too. In 2007, marquee brands were reluctant to advertise with a league that had a no-holds-barred reputation. Despite continued controversy, the UFC has gone mainstream, and Fortune 500 companies like Budweiser and Harley-Davidson are big-time backers.

The sport is becoming so popular and profitable that billionaires Mark Cuban and Donald Trump are throwing their hats into the ring. Their league, Affliction, promises top fighters and revenues to match, but Dana White tells Wapner that it’s just another in a long list of competitors he’s ready to take to the mat.

CNBC takes a look at the range of promotions, endorsements and movie deals tied to the sport, as well as at TapouT, the successful apparel company created by three hardcore fans who turned their passion for mixed martial arts into a $100 million dollar business.

It’s a mix of muscle and mayhem that is making money hand over fist.

“Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars” premieres Wednesday, July 29.

That’s going to do it for now.

Back to the Grind Links

As many of you return to work today, time for some linkage.

Starting with USA Today’s Michael Hiestand, he says ESPN will conduct an announcing experiment during tonight’s Dodgers-Cardinals game.

Mike Freeman from CBSSports.com, who wrote a book about problems at ESPN, writes that ESPN has put together a list of 100 banned reporters in regards to the Erin Andrews story. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Journal has an extensive look at the rise and fall of Nashville Predators co-owner Boots Del Biaggio.

Dan Steinberg of On the DL recaps an interview Fox Sports and MMA enthusiast Jay Glazer did with WNYC’s On the Media in his Sporting News column.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir recaps the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks about Nick Peters who was inducted into the Writers wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Neil loves Batting Stance Guy.

The angry Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says there’s no hiding the empty seats at Yankee Stadium.

To Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner who talks with Versus’ Phil Liggett about the 2010 Tour de France.

And Jim discusses the premiere of a new sports radio show on the local ESPN Radio affiliate.

Travis Sawchik from the Charleston (SC) Post and Courier says with the ACC starting its media days this week, the conference is now looking ahead to its TV negotiations in hopes of increasing its rights fees.

Paul Strelow of The State says ACC Commissioner John Swofford hopes to bridge the gap in TV rights money between the super rich SEC and the ACC which is now fallen to fifth of the 6 BCS conferences in TV money.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times looks back at the weekend in TV sports.

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel profiles ESPN Dictator George Bodenheimer.

From the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn congratulates former NBC/TSN/MSG Network analyst Tony Kubek on his enshrinement to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post talks with an FSN Rocky Mountain anchor/reporter who originally wanted to go into international business.

Jerry Crowe of the Los Angeles Times has Dodgers voice Vin Scully recalling the day where he caught his big break during a cold afternoon at Fenway Park back in 1949.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says there’s a double standard when it comes to judging female sportscasters.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star feels the Canadian Open deserves more TV coverage.

In the Batter-up with Bruno blog, Amanda Bruno talks about Gordon Edes of Yahoo! giving shoutouts to his former Boston Globe copy editors during the Orioles-Red Sox game on NESN.

Kristine Leahy has a new edition of The Five on WEEI.com.

That’s going to do it for today.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Golf
PGA Tour/Canadian Open, final round – Golf Channel, 2:30 p.m.

MLB

American League
Oakland at Red Sox – Comcast SportsNet California/NESN, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Baltimore – Fox Sports Kansas City/MASN2, 7 p.m.
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay – YES/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Minnesota – WCIU/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Texas – Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
Cleveland at Anaheim Angels – STO/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.
Toronto at Seattle – Rogers Sportsnet/FSN Northwest, 10 p.m.

National League
Colorado at New York Mets – FSN Rocky Mountain/SNY, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis – ESPN/Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Fox Sports Midwest, 7 p.m.
San Diego at Cincinnati – Cox 4/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Houston at Chicago Cubs – Fox Sports Houston/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Washington at Milwaukee – MASN/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Arizona – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at San Francisco – FSN Pittsburgh/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10 p.m.

MLB Tonight: 1st to 3rd – MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight: Roundtripper Final – MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
Great American Road Trip – NBC, 8 p.m.
Intervention: Danielle – A&E, 9 p.m.
Sex in ’69: Sexual Revolution in America – History Channel, 9 p.m.
The Closer – TNT, 9 p.m.
Hooked – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
Raising the Bar – TNT, 10 p.m.
Weeds – Showtime, 10 p.m.
Nurse Jackie – Showtime, 10:30 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Some More Sunday Links

Here are some more links on this Sunday as I try to watch True Blood and not get attracted to Anna Paquin. Ever since I saw her in “The Piano”, I never gave her a thought as she was only a kid. Then I saw her in “Almost Famous” and couldn’t believe how much she had grown up. Now in True Blood, she’s so sexy, even with that gap in her teeth. Never thought I would think that about her, but man. Anyway, I’ll do the links before I get distracted.

Rob Oller of the Columbus (OH) Dispatch talks about the SEC Network encroaching into Big Ten Conference territory.

The Princeton (KY) Times-Leader writes that three local TV stations have signed up to show SEC Network games.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says swimming’s governing body’s decision on the LZR swimsuit could have far-reaching implications.

Stuart Levine from Variety says Versus’ new deal with the Tour de France is already paying off.

Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable says TV stations in Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York are getting ready to battle ESPN’s local websites when they start launching this year and next.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says prepare to watch Mel Kiper, Jr. in primetime next year.

The Daly Planet blog was disappointed in ESPN’s coverage of the Brickyard 400 today.

That’s it for now.

A Few Sunday Links

Well, with the entire fam getting together for the first time since Christmas time, I won’t be around much today so I’m trying to sneak a blog post in.

Just a reminder that there is some breaking news on the Boston sports radio front and head to the Fang’s Bites page at Boston Sports Media Watch.

Starting with Neil Best of Newsday (and those webmasters have got to get an RSS feed going for his blog), he writes that SNY’s announcers have had to deal with a pretty bad Mets team this season.

Neil writes that last week was a bad week in the sports media.

Neil did a podcast interview with the Fanhouse’s Ryan Wilson.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times spent some time with former broadcaster Tony Kubek who’s being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today.

Richard says the Hall often has to undergo scavenger hunts to find items related to their inductees.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News writes that Kubek is deserving to go into the Hall. I’ll agree with that.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick gets on the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs for something, my eyes glazed over.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says Versus is close to finalizing a pretty decent college football schedule.

John Steigerwald writing in the Tarentum Valley (PA) Dispatch wonders what if the Ben Roethlisberger story is true.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies and soccer are among the highlights for viewing this weekend.

Jim talks with the ESPN NASCAR announcing team about today’s Brickyard 400.

The Greensboro (NC) News-Record talks with ACC Commissioner John Swofford in advance of the conference Media Days.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times talks about the backlash over the Erin Andrews and Ben Roethlisberger stories for ESPN.

George Robinson of the Clarksville (TN) Leaf Chronicle says African American athletes will wonder if they will get the same protection from ESPN after what the network did for Ben Roethlisberger last week.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News says Cowboys WR Patrick Clayton is an unlikely media star for ESPN.

Mark J. Konkol of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the investors into the now-defunct Windy City internet sports radio station are now suing the owner based on his alleged faulty business practices.

Todd A. Mayes of the Los Angeles Canyon News feels ESPN’s coverage of the Open Championship was under par.

Artie Gigantino from the San Francisco Examiner is sickened by the whole Erin Andrews affair.

Nick Peters of the Sacramento Bee profiles former Bee writer Nick Peters who goes into the Sportswriters Wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame today.

USA Today picks up an AP story about former Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes who is now going into a second career as a broadcaster.

Joe Favorito writes about Nathan’s building its brand thanks to the annual Competitive Eating contest.

The Sports Media Watch looks at who could be the successor to Erin Andrews. The SMW has its weekend ratings predictions.

Ray Frager in the Sports Media Journal has one of the more reasonable takes on the Erin Andrews saga.

The Rookies blog noticed that Shaun Phillips was actually looking for the Erin Andrews tape. Not smart. Thanks to The Big Lead for the link.

No matter what you think of MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann’s politics, one cannot dispute his love for baseball. He’s in Cooperstown for the Baseball Hall of Fame ceremonies today and he’s writing about his experience in his MLB.com blog.

That’s going to do it for now.

Videos of the Week – Tour de France

As the Tour de France ends today, I thought I would take a look back at how the Tour was covered on US TV some two decades ago. Thanks to Lance Armstrong, the popularity of the Tour has led to wall-to-wall coverage on Versus.

When CBS had the exclusive rights, it would only show coverage on weekends and maybe an hour recap on CBS Sports Spectacular. For many viewers, it was the only way to see the Tour. There was no cable coverage, ESPN had not seen the viability of the event. When ABC Sports took the rights of the Tour in the early 1990′s, it did similar coverage, only on the weekends.

Then a network called OLN, Outdoor Life Network got the rights in the late 1990′s and with the rise of Lance Armstrong, showed coverage every day and when he started winning, the awareness of the Tour rose as well. And of course, OLN became Versus and the Tour is a mainstay of the network every July.

But let’s take a look at how CBS covered the Tour de France in 1988, 21 years ago. Tim Brandt was the host in this segment. And the music was done by John Tesh, who many of you may not know began first as a TV news reporter, then moved to CBS Sports in the early 1980′s, then when on to Entertainment Tonight and called the 1992 and 1996 Olympics gymnastics competition for NBC.

See how different the coverage was back then. This is how Tim sets the scene for CBS’ start of three weeks of coverage.

This is where we see the legendary Phil Liggett explaining the players and what we’ll see coming into the 1988 Tour de France.

We continue with the scenesetters. In this part, we have interviews with former Tour winner Greg Lemond, the first U.S. winner of the Tour.

Here’s more of the scenesetter from CBS. Tim Brandt again is the main host.

CBS recaps the first week. Tim and Phil are your narrators.

Here’s more from Week 1 of the Tour.

Here’s another opening montage for CBS. This is leading to the final prologue to Paris. Of course, some things never change at the Tour as you’ll see.

And we move to the final week of the Tour with Tim and Phil. Again CBS recaps from the beginning. The music is from John Tesh.

CBS now goes to the Final Stage.

And we conclude the Final Stage.

That concludes your look at the Tour de France on CBS from 1988.

Some Breaking News in Boston

I have an interesting piece of news regarding the Boston Sports Radio War between incumbent WEEI and newcomer WBZ-FM/The Sports Hub.

Check it out at the Fang’s Bites at Boston Sports Media Watch page.

Some Press Releases For You on A Saturday

Here are some press releases that hit the Fang’s Bites inbox either yesterday or early Friday evening. Because I did the Megalinks relatively early, I just didn’t feel like blogging last night. Then I got bogged down today doing family stuff so while I have a respite, let me post these releases and then I have to get ready for another big thing around 9 tonight.

First, MLB Network will re-air the Mark Buehrle perfect game from earlier this week on Sunday morning so get your DVR’s ready.

MLB NETWORK TO RE-AIR CHICAGO WHITE SOX P MARK BUEHRLE’S PERFECT GAME ON SUNDAY, JULY 26 AT 10:00 A.M. ET

July 24, 2009 – MLB Network will re-air Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle’s perfect game on Sunday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Buehrle threw the 18^th perfect game in Major League Baseball history at Comiskey Park on Thursday, July 23, 2009. A 15-second promo including highlights from the game is attached.

Following the re-airing, MLB Network will begin its coverage of the 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. EDT with MLB Tonight: Hall of Fame Edition, a pre-ceremony show from MLB Network’s studios in Secaucus, N.J. Hosted by Greg Amsinger and MLB Network Baseball Insiders and Hall of Fame voters Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal, the pre-ceremony show will feature profiles on Gordon, Henderson and Rice. Live coverage of the ceremony, including each inductee’s acceptance speech, will begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT and will feature on-site reporting from MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds and Victor Rojas. MLB.com will simulcast MLB Network’s coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

As the release states, here’s the promo:

Mark is also going to be on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday doing the Top Ten List.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX STAR AND PERFECT GAME PITCHER MARK BUEHRLE PRESENTS THE TOP TEN LIST ON CBS’s “LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN,” MONDAY, JULY 27

NEW YORK, July 24 — Chicago White Sox star Mark Buehrle, who pitched a perfect game on Thursday, will present the Top Ten List on the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, Monday, July 27 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Buehrle faced 27 batters and threw 76 strikes out of 116 pitches in the White Sox 5-0 victory Thursday over the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming only the 18^th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to pitch a perfect game and also throwing the second no-hitter of his career. Also on hand to help present the Top Ten List with Buehrle will be teammates Josh Fields, who hit a grand slam in Thursday’s game, and center fielder DeWayne Wise, who robbed the Rays’ Gabe Kapler of a leadoff home run in the ninth inning to get the assist in Buehrle’s perfect game.

Also featured on the LATE SHOW Monday will be interviews with actor Eric Bana, musician Dave Matthews and musical guests Dave Matthews Band, who will perform the first of two nights on the broadcast (they’ll also visit the show on Friday, July 31). The LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN is a production of Worldwide Pants Incorporated. Barbara Gaines, Maria Pope, Jude Brennan and Rob Burnett are the executive producers.

ESPN provides us with quotage from a press conference that the network’s NASCAR production and announcing crew did at the Indy Motor Speedway in advance on Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

Quotes From ESPN News Conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

ESPN will have live, high definition coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 26, beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET, the first of 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races to be televised on ESPN and ABC to close out the 2009 season. Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports, event production, and four former NASCAR Sprint Cup champions who are members of the telecast team – Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree, Rusty Wallace and Ray Evernham – participated in a news conference Friday at the speedway. Some highlight quotes:

RICH FEINBERG
On the subject of ESPN starting its portion of the Sprint Cup schedule at Indianapolis:

“It’s extremely special. ESPN and ABC’s relationship with this track is, I believe, the second-longest relationship in a broadcast entity that it has with any sports property. As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing in the world like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This place changes peoples ‘s lives, and it’s a privilege to start our coverage here at this track knowing that the event and whatever unfolds, however it takes place, is going to change somebody’s life. It changed my life, as well. I came here in 1986 as (Indy 500 pit reporter) Jack Arute’s water boy.”

RAY EVERNHAM
On the subject of winning the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994 as crew chief for Jeff Gordon:

“The sharpest memory I have is how emotional, how draining it was. We pushed the car out onto the track and when I turned away from the car, it hit me all at once where we were and what we were getting ready to do. We had been so focused on the car with practice and qualifying and all of a sudden we were getting ready to start the race. I got all choked up. When we won the thing (in 1994 with Jeff Gordon), I have pictures in Victory Lane and I just have this blank look on my face. The biggest memory is how much emotion caught up with me when I realized where we were. For me, it’s a place I’ve always loved. I started out wanting to go Indy car racing. I wanted to race in the Indy 500. A. J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and those guys were my heroes.”

ANDY PETREE
On the subject of the first Brickyard 400, in which he was crew chief for Dale Earnhardt:

“We never thought we’d ever be invited to come here. This is a very special open-wheel facility – one race a year. We never thought that we would actually race here, and when we got to race here it was really special. We felt like, as a sport, we had really come somewhere.”

RUSTY WALLACE
On the subject of drivers learning to control their emotions:

“It’s pretty hard to control emotions here at this particular racetrack because this place is overwhelming. When I was a driver, I would come to this particular track and I was just (eaten) up with emotions. It was a race that I had circled on my calendar. We’re only here for three days, but I felt like I was here for two weeks. I felt like it was a race that is so important. It’s incredible. When I’m sitting on the line, getting ready to start the race, I am all jacked up, but I’m a little nervous, too. And I’m dying for it to start. Everything going on around me becomes numb. It becomes a different sound. I’m not hearing people. I’m just real focused on what I’m doing. It would be easy to over-think the track, to over-plan, to over-do a lot of things you normally don’t do. I guess the key thing that I would try to do is to keep my routine going on that I had done every single week that got me to that point. It’s hard to stay focused because this is such a special event and a lot of things go through your mind that doesn’t normally go through your mind at different events.”

DALE JARRETT
On drivers controlling their emotions:

“Looking at this race, as a driver you have to understand your position throughout a whole season and putting things in perspective and trying to win a championship. This is one of 36. Or one of 26 in trying to get yourself situated in the Chase. It is an enormous race, and you are going to hear us talk about how big it is and how special it is to be here. You’re going to hear all these drivers talk about how special it is to try and win or to be here and race at Indy. Everybody wants to kiss the bricks. Everybody wants that trophy. If you’re in those first six positions (in the Chase), I think you’re pretty safe and you can kind of throw caution to the wind a little bit and run your race. You can take a few more risks because you’re pretty much locked into the Chase unless things just go terribly bad. Those guys from seventh back to 14th have to look at this race totally different. So, they have to keep their emotions in check a lot more. If it’s a bump that makers them mad. Or if it’s a bad pit stop that gets them upset. Is it a mistake they make on the track? You have to really keep that in check and this is a tough place to do that because the racing is so tight.”

On the subject of double-file restarts in the Brickyard 400:

DALE JARRETT: “We’ve seen it be exciting so far. But this has the chance of being the most exciting and changing the race. If the leader comes in on that last pit stop and he happens to get beat by one person, which means by the time he gets out of Turn 1 and out of Turn 2 going down the back straightaway he may be back to fifth or sixth before he can get in line. We’re going to see some pretty drastic measures if we get late-race cautions here because that patience starts going away. And these guys are going to get extremely aggressive. The ones on the outside are going to really have to squeeze these guys on the inside. You’re going to see guys rubbing against each other, really pinning guys down, which can create situations. So, I think we’re going to see the most exciting restarts we have seen in this situation. You hear a lot of these drivers saying how the double-file restarts have caused some ill will between them. I think after Sunday we might hear a lot more about it.”

RUSTY WALLACE: “That is probably going to be one of the biggest stories throughout the race, those double-file restarts. When you’re a lapped car and you’re on the inside, you feel like you have to give way to the guy on the outside. Really, the guy up front is the only guy who can get a lap back at that point. But you’re going to have all of these guys going through Turn 1 and Turn 3 feeling like: ‘Hey man, I don’t have to give way to anybody. I’m racing all of these guys.’ Third place, fourth place, fifth place – they’re all going to bomb into Turn 1 and probably somebody is going to wreck if they do it right and if they have a lot of nerve and don’t give up. Nobody is going to be giving way.”

In the latest gimmick to raise NASCAR’s anemic ratings, ESPN will not use a play-by-play announcer for the Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway next month.

ESPN’s Champions Take Over Booth at Michigan Nationwide Series Race

Backseat Drivers To Call Action Without Play by Play Announcer

ESPN’s live coverage of the Aug. 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Michigan International Speedway will have a new and different approach as the telecast will prominently feature five former NASCAR champions and will be done without a traditional “play by play” announcer.

ESPN’s “Backseat Drivers” telecast will engage NASCAR fans with the authenticity and experience of analysts Tim Brewer, Ray Evernham, Dale Jarrett, Andy Petree and Rusty Wallace. With Brewer contributing reports and analysis from the ESPN Craftsman Tech Garage, Evernham, Jarrett, Petree and Wallace will call the race from the booth.

“Our goal is to give viewers a different presentation, one filled with discussion, observations, and stories from some of the most respected champions NASCAR has crowned, and their unique unfiltered perspective on an event,” said Rich Feinberg, ESPN vice president, motorsports.

“This is an opportunity for our viewers to have the experience of sitting around watching a race with these champions from their couch at home, and without the traditional approach to sportscasting.“

Jarrett and Wallace were NASCAR Sprint Cup champion drivers in 1999 and 1989, respectively. Petree won the 1993 and 1994 championships as crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, while Brewer won the 1978 title as crew chief for Cale Yarborough and the 1981 title with Darrell Waltrip. Evernham won the 1995, 1997 and 1998 titles as crew chief for Jeff Gordon.

In addition to the five champions, the telecast will include pit reporters Dave Burns, Jamie Little, Shannon Spake and Vince Welch, while Allen Bestwick will host. The race airs Saturday, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

And Golf Channel says its website saw record hits last month.

GOLF CHANNEL POSTS RECORD WEB TRAFFIC; SURPASSES 2 MILLION MONTHLY USERS

GolfChannel.com Remains #1 Golf Web Site in 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 24, 2009) – GOLF CHANNEL announced today that its online arm, GolfChannel.com, experienced record traffic numbers last month, cementing it as the #1 golf site on the Web. GolfChannel.com exceeded 2 million unique users for the first time during the month of June (sources: comScore, 2,632,000; and Nielsen, 2,090,000). According to comScore, GolfChannel.com also has been the #1 golf Web site for four of the past six months of 2009, beating out other golf centric Web sites including, PGATOUR.com, PGA.com and Golf.com.

GolfChannel.com’s most popular content in June included the site’s wide array of news articles written by a dedicated editorial team, live updates and analysis, customizable leaderboard and over 2,500 instructional videos. The impressive traffic numbers also are a reflection of GolfChannel.com’s extensive U.S. Open coverage last month which included breaking news reports, inside analysis, compelling features such as the popular “Shag Bag” blog, and live on-site reporting from Bethpage Black by Rex Hoggard, Jay Coffin, Randall Mell and David Allen.

“We are seeing a tremendous amount of growth both on the GOLF CHANNEL network with our new original programming line-up and now with our expanded online offerings on GolfChannel.com,” said Gene Pizzolato, GOLF CHANNEL chief revenue and marketing officer, who also has recently assumed new duties as chief operating officer for GOLF CHANNEL New Media Ventures. “It is extremely important to us to continue to set ourselves apart from the other network and golf Web sites with new, exciting content that appeals to golfers of all skill levels who are looking for news on all of the major tours, tips on improving their game, and getting insight on the latest equipment and golf destinations.”

I have a few things to so I’ll probably see you next on Sunday morning with the Video of the Week.

A Friday Megalink Post

Time to give you the megalinks. Let’s get to them, but as usual, we have the Weekend Viewing Picks.

This weekend, there’s quite a bit of action.

For baseball, Fox gives us St. Louis at Phildelphia among its regional coverage, Saturday at 4. MLB Network will air San Francisco at Colorado, Saturday night at 8. TBS shows Cards-Phils, Sunday at 1:30 and ESPN’s Sunday Night game will the White Sox at Detroit. The full regional split for Fox plus the TBS preview is here.

Also, the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies in Cooperstown, NY take place on Sunday as Ricky Henderson, mostly known from his career with the Oakland A’s and Yankees, and Jim Rice of the Red Sox go into the Hall. MLB Network has full coverage starting at 12:30 p.m.

NASCAR heads to Indianapolis for the Brickyard 400 and it marks ESPN’s first race of the Sprint Cup season. That race starts at 2 on Sunday.

Tennis fans have the start of the hard court season and the U.S. Open Series which kicks off in Indianapolis. ESPN2 and Tennis Channel split coverage throughout the weekend.

The PGA Tour is in Canada for the Canadian Open. CBS has weekend coverage.

NBC actually shows live swimming this weekend as the World Aquatics Championships kick off in Rome on Sunday.

A big test for the United States mens’ soccer team takes place on Sunday as the US takes on Mexico in the finals of the Gold Cup from Giants Stadium. Fox Soccer Channel airs the match at 2 p.m.

And there’s the WNBA which ABC carries on Saturday afternoon at 3;30.

The full schedule of viewing along with your primetime picks are here.

Ok, let’s get to your links.

National

Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he writes that ESPN is denying that it judges news coverage on its relationships with sports leagues.

Michael also writes about the NFL Draft expanding to three days and two nights.

Sports Illustrated’s Jeff Pearlman talks with CBS Sports reporter Lesley Visser.

SI’s Stewart Mandel says the SEC’s new TV deal puts it light years ahead of other college conferences.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if more teams will simulcast their TV game broadcasts on radio.

Darren breaks down Lance Armstrong’s new deal with Radio Shack for next year’s Tour de France.

Darren writes some current and past Yankees have bought memorabilia from the old Stadium.

Darren tells us that despite his legal troubles, Ben Roethlisberger’s new Dick’s Sporting Goods will still run on TV.

Joe Favorito says Army is looking to become New York’s football team.

Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable looks at the NFL’s expansion of the Draft for next year.

John Eggerton of B&C writes about Comcast and Golf Channel’s new documentary on the challenges of those who tried to break professional golf’s color barrier.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says the Big Ten Network’s signature studio show will go on the road in August.

The Sports Media Watch feels ESPN’s explanation on its coverage of the Ben Roethlisberger civil lawsuit is not good enough.

However, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban felt ESPN used the proper restraint.

Michael David Smith of Fanhouse writes that ESPN had to pull a report about Michael Vick after the NFL debunked original reports on Twitter.

In the Sporting News, Dan Levy of On the DL feels columnist Jason Whitlock went overboard in his criticisms of the Erin Andrews situation.

Steve Lepore from Puck The Media may have figured out the TSN Wednesday Night Hockey schedule.

Maury Brown from the Biz of Baseball has the new logo for next year’s MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim.

I put this in Follow Friday, but I’ll put here as well. You have got to check out the 24 Hours of StarburyMarbury marathon on Ustream. It’s so funny and compelling to watch.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe writes that ESPN executives are hiding under their desks in regards to the Erin Andrews and Ben Roethlisberger stories.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram notices NESN’s silence in regards to Jerry Remy’s return to the booth.

But then today, Barstool Sports caused an uproar by citing “sources” that Remy was going to return tonight.

I e-mailed Gary Roy, a NESN spokesman and he replied, “I was just told about this rumor by three different people in about a 5 minute span.

“The answer is no, Jerry is not returning to the booth tonight. At this point, Jerry has not yet set a date for his return.”

So there you have it officially from NESN. No timetable for Jerry’s return.

Newsday’s Neil Best writes about ESPN banning New York Post’s reporters from TV and radio after the paper published pictures from the Erin Andrews peephole video.

Neil writes that the Mets are slowly fading into oblivion.

In his blog, Neil says ESPN is paying for its too cautious approach to the Ben Roethisberger story. Neil explains why the Erin Andrews story remains in the forefront of many newspapers and newscasts. And Neil points out that the move by the NFL to expand the Draft into primetime on Thursday and Friday has annoyed some West Coast fans.

Of course, Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News takes the opportunity to jump on ESPN on the Big Ben issue.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says we’re hearing too much from athletes’ lawyers.

The Post’s Justin Terranova talks with YES analyst Ken Singleton about the Yankees’ improved play since the All-Star break.

And Justin has five questions for new NBC NFL studio analyst Rodney Harrison.

Jack Bell of the New York Times talks with Fox Soccer Channel analyst Christopher Sullivan who’s been calling the Gold Cup.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says televised poker is not leaving us anytime soon.

Pete says in a span of 12 hours, we got to hear the best and worst in baseball broadcasting. And Pete writes that the four major sports leagues are in court to fight Delaware’s attempt to start legalized sports betting.

Dean Jones, Jr. of the Baltimore Sun says ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt will get his own bobblehead this Sunday.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner has his weekend viewing picks.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times talks with ESPN soccer analyst Alexei Lalas about the sport’s popularity in the U.S.

Jennifer Harper of the Times says one of her colleagues is joining the ESPN Radio DC affiliate.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the NFL is trying to create more buzz by expanding its Draft to three days.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times says the Erin Andrews and Ben Roethlisberger stories brought ESPN some unwanted attention.

David Moulton of the Naples Daily News feels ESPN has had one big bad week.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that some decisions will be made soon at a local sports radio station in regards to its lineup.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News wonders when a decision will be made on whether to bring back Texas Rangers TV voice Josh Lewin for next season.

Barry has some thoughts on the recently completed 4th and Long reality show.

Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman writes that ESPN hopes to end the trend of falling NASCAR TV ratings this year.

Mel reports a local sportscaster may be in line to become the sideline reporter for Oklahoma University football games. Mel has his usual media notebook.

Midwest

Brad VanFossen of the Cleveland Leader has manlove for ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley culls some Packer tidbits from the new NFL Kickoff Information Guide.

Paul Christian of the Rochester Post-Bulletin says a local sports radio station is up for a national award.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a sports radio station has spun off its FM unit.

Dan writes that the local WPS team is a ratings dud.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News feels the mtn. botched coverage of the Mountain West Conference’s media days.

Joe Santoro of the Lahontan Valley (NV) News says ESPN represents everything wrong in sports (calling Erin Andrews a “bimbo” is very harsh).

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic looks forward to one particular NFL Network show.

Jay Posner in the San Diego Union-Tribune says a local sports talk show host returns to his former station and finds many of his colleagues gone.

The North County Times’ John Maffei hopes the new Shaquille O’Neal reality show will be must see TV viewing.

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times writes that a group of Time Warner Cable customers never got to see Manny Ramirez’s pinch hit home run on Wednesday. Oops.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has his take on the Erin Andrews story.

Tom has his extensive media news and notes in his blog. Tom also reviews the week in blogging.

Howie Stalwick of the Tacoma (WA) News Tribune talks with ESPN’s Cindy Brunson about the Erin Andrews story.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at the Erin Andrews story as well.

And Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star agrees with Jason Whitlock’s take on Erin Andrews and how blogs are to blame for Global Warming.

Lots of links today. That’s it. See you later.

Follow Friday VII

Time for another edition of Follow Friday where I recommend several sites to visit and if you so choose, start following regularly. To see past recommendations, go here.

One of the more interesting social experiments is happening all day Friday into Saturday. It’s the 24 hours of StarburyMarbury Marathon. Yes, that’s right, Stephon Marbury is on the internet streaming live at Ustream and he’s answering your tweets. Sometimes he raps, sometimes, he sings, sometimes he holds his fashion drawings up to the camera, but overall, it’s just him sitting in front of his computer and a camera answering questions. There are times when the audio or video goes down, but when it’s up, it’s pretty compelling. So for your Friday, the 24 hours of StarburyMarbury is our first site recommendation today.

Real Clear Sports does what I do, links you to a series of articles each day. It does a morning and afternoon edition of links, but it’s not just sports media, it links to whatever the story of the day is. In addition to linking to newspaper articles, RCS also has some writers offering exclusive columns, so it has some very good content. Plus, it was a sponsor of the original Blogs with Balls conference in New York in June so it’s quite interested in the relationship between mainstream media and blogs.

A couple of links if you’re a Big Ten sports fan. There’s the Big Ten Network which is gearing up for football season. If you have BTN on your cable or satellite system, then you know that the network brings you Big Ten Conference sports, not just football, basketball, but also Olympic sports as well. The site provides all types of updates on Big Ten news and also keeps you up to date on programming.

For Michigan fans, the MGoBlue site, the official site of University of Michigan athletics (don’t worry, I’ll recommend other Big Ten sites down the line, I know Big Ten fans get angry if they don’t see their school) is a very comprehensive site offering news on the school’s teams. The content is there, although the colors are a bit too bright for my tastes, but the MGoBlue site is done quite well if you overlook the splashes of yellow.

Gunaxin is a site which mixes sports, gadgets, humor and of course, the obligatory shots of women, but they’re all done tastefully. It’s a site that doesn’t require heavy lifting, but then again, the site doesn’t want you to do a lot of thinking. It does the thinking for you. Good site to go to especially after a long day at work.

TheOBR or The Orange and Brown Report is a site that is devoted to my beloved Cleveland Browns. Plenty of blogs, reports and video content to bring you everything that you need to know on the fastest rising team in the NFL. Ok, I made that last part up, but I can dream, can’t I?

The Two Cents from Beantown blog provides thoughts on Boston sports. I just found this a couple of weeks ago and it’s being given my stamp of approval.

And the Without A Curse podcast hosted by Alex Reimer is up at The Sports Stuff site. Alex had gained notoriety especially on a late night talk show for being one of the youngest to ever host a podcast. He’s 16 now, but he’s been going strong for the last couple of years. I’m not endorsing this just because I was a guest earlier this week, but because Alex knows his stuff. Plus, he has had many Boston sports media heavy hitters on his podcast so make sure you download Alex’s podcast off iTunes.

As usual, two non-sports sites for you to visit, one with New England ties, the other without.

First, there’s Olivia Munn’s official website. She’s the co-host of Attack of the Show on G4. Olivia provides videos, blogs and pictures on her site, not just of herself, although she has her own gallery. And yes, she’s on Twitter as well.

Last but not least, Kay Hanley, the former lead singer of Letters to Cleo, is someone you should check out. Not only is she a devoted Red Sox fan, but she’s got a great singing voice as well. Check out the latest on Kay at her site and at her Twitter account. When Kay gets angry about the Red Sox, it’s tremendous reading so if you haven’t joined Twitter, just signing on to follow Kay is totally worth it.

That concludes this edition of Follow Friday.

Weekend Viewing Picks

Saturday, July 25

Cycling
Tour de France, Stage 20 – Versus, 7 a.m.

Golf
LPGA Tour/Evian Masters, 3rd round – Golf Channel, 1 p.m (same day coverage)
PGA Tour/Canadian Open, 3rd round – CBS, 3 p.m.
Senior Open Championship, 3rd round – ABC, 2 p.m. (same day coverage)

MLB

American League
Oakland at New York Yankees – Comcast SportsNet California/YES, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Toronto – Fox Sports Florida/Rogers Sportsnet, 1 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Detroit – Fox, 4 p.m.
Minnesota at Anaheim – Fox, 4 p.m.
Baltimore at Red Sox – MASN/NESN, 7 p.m.
Texas at Kansas City – Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Kansas City, 7 p.m.

National League
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs – Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 1 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia – Fox, 4 p.m.
Atlanta at Milwaukee – MLB Network/SportSouth/WMLW, 7 p.m.
New York Mets at Houston – WPIX/Fox Sports Houston, 7 p.m.
San Diego at Washington – Cox 4/MASN2, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Arizona – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Arizona, 8 p.m.
San Francisco at Colorado – MLB Network/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/FSN Rocky Mountain, 8 p.m.
Florida at Los Angeles Dodgers – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
Quick Pitch – MLB Network, 11 p.m.

NASCAR
Nationwide Series/Kroger 200 – ESPN, 8 p.m.

Tennis
U.S. Open Series/Indianapolis Tennis Championships, semifinals – ESPN2, 1:30 p.m./Tennis Channel, 4 p.m.

WNBA
All-Star Game – ABC, 3:30 p.m.

Entertainment
Giada at Home – Food Network, 1 p.m.
Kings – NBC, 8 p.m.
Primeval – BBC America, 8 p.m.
Cops – Fox, 8:30 p.m.
America’s Most Wanted: America Fights Back – Fox, 9 p.m.
Most Human – BBC America, 9 p.m.
Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends/Montreal: Cosmopolitan City – Travel Channel, 10 p.m.
Alone in the Wild: Can I Survive? – National Geographic Channel, 10 p.m.
Jim Breuer: Let’s Clear the Air – Comedy Central, 11 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Showtime 2, midnight

Sunday, July 26

Cycling
Tour de France, Final Stage – Versus, 7;30 a.m./CBS, 2 p.m. (same day coverage)

Formula 1
Hungarian Grand Prix – Fox, 3 p.m. (same day coverage)

Golf
LPGA Tour/Evian Masters, final round – Golf Channel, 1 p.m (same day coverage)
PGA Tour/Canadian Open, final round – CBS, 3 p.m.
Senior Open Championship, final round – ABC, 1 p.m. (same day coverage)

Indy Car Series
Edmonton Indy – Versus, 5 p.m.

MLB

American League
Oakland at New York Yankees – Comcast SportsNet California/YES, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Toronto – Sun Sports/Rogers Sportsnet, 1 p.m.
Baltimore at Red Sox – MASN/NESN, 1:30 p.m.
Texas at Kansas City – Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Kansas City, 2 p.m.
Cleveland at Seattle – STO/FSN Northwest, 4 p.m.
Minnesota at Anaheim – WFTC/KCOP, 4 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Detroit – ESPN, 8 p.m.

National League
San Diego at Washington – Cox 4/WDCW, 1:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia – TBS/KSDK/PWHL, 1:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Milwaukee – Fox Sports South/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 2 p.m.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs – Fox Sports Ohio/WGN America, 2 p.m.
New York Mets at Houston – SNY/Fox Sports Houston, 2 p.m.
San Francisco at Colorado – Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/FSN Rocky Mountain, 3 p.m.
Florida at Los Angeles Dodgers – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 4 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Arizona – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Arizona, 4 p.m.

MLB Tonight: Hall of Fame Edition – MLB Network, 12:30 p.m.
Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – MLB Network, 1:30 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 7 p.m.
Quick Pitch – MLB Network, 7 p.m.
The Pen (season finale) – MLB Network, 8 p.m.

NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series/Brickyard 400 – ESPN, 2 p.m.

Soccer
Gold Cup Final/USA vs. Mexico – Fox Soccer Channel, 3 p.m

Swimming
World Aquatics Championships – NBC, noon

Tennis
U.S. Open Series/Indianapolis Tennis Championships, doubles final – Tennis Channel, 1 p.m.

U.S. Open Series/Indianapolis Tennis Championships, singles final – ESPN2, 3 p.m.

Entertainment
60 Minutes – CBS, 7 p.m.
Big Brother 11 – CBS, 8 p.m.
Doctor Who – BBC America, 8 p.m.
Ice Road Truckers – History Channel, 9 p.m.
True Blood – HBO, 9 p.m.
Hung – HBO, 10 p.m.
Entourage – HBO, 10:30 p.m.
Being Human – BBC America, 10:30 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Showtime2, midnight

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Cycling
Tour de France, Stage 19 – Versus, 8:30 a.m.

Golf
LPGA Tour/Evian Masters, 2nd round – Golf Channel, 6:30 p.m. (same day coverage)
PGA Tour/Canadian Open, 2nd round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

MLB

American League
Chicago White Sox at Detroit – Comcast SportsNet Chicago Plus/Fox Sports Detroit, 1 p.m.
Baltimore at Red Sox – MASN/NESN, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Detroit – WCIU/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Oakland at New York Yankees – Comcast SportsNet California/YES, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Toronto – Sun Sports/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Texas at Kansas City – Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports Kansas City, 8 p.m.
Cleveland at Seattle – STO/FSN Northwest, 10 p.m.
Minnesota at Anaheim Angels – Fox Sports North/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs – Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2 p.m.
San Diego at Washington – MASN2, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia – Fox Sports Midwest/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Milwaukee – SportSouth/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
New York Mets at Houston – SNY/Fox Sports Houston, 8 p.m.
San Francisco at Colorado – KNTV/FSN Rocky Mountain, 9 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Arizona – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Florida at Los Angeles Dodgers – Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

MLB Tonight: 1st to 3rd – MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight: Roundtripper Final – MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Tennis
U.S. Open Series/Indianapolis Tennis Championships, quarterfinals – Tennis Channel, 1 p.m./ESPN2, 4 p.m./ESPN2, 7 p.m.

Entertainment
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? – Fox, 8 p.m.
Torchwood: Children of God/Day Five – BBC America, 9 p.m.
Dateline NBC – NBC, 9 p.m.
20/20: Over A Barrel: The Truth About Oil – ABC, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Lingerie – Cinemax, 11:45 p.m.

The Thursday Press Release Post

There are quite a few press releases to give you on the waning minutes of Thursday. Let’s give them to you.

First, the Big Ten Network prepares to hit the road in August to visit all of the schools in advance of football season.

‘Big Ten Football Tour’ Hits the Road Starting August 11

Revsine, DiNardo, Griffth go all-access with every Big Ten football team

CHICAGO – Eleven teams. Fifteen days. And 3,000 miles.

That’s how far the Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will travel to bring fans Big Ten Football Tour, a series of 11 90-minute shows devoted to a preseason football practice at every Big Ten university. The shows, which begin Aug. 11 and will air the same night as the practices at 10 PM ET, will feature a true, behind-the-scenes look at individual and team drills as Big Ten teams prepare for the 2009 season.

“As the new season approaches, Big Ten fans will love getting an all-access look at their team,” Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. “This will be a great opportunity to see how every football program is gearing up for the season.”

Revsine, DiNardo, Griffith and the Big Ten Network production crew will criss-cross the conference’s eight states in a customized, chartered bus. The bus will be branded with logos and air times for the network’s “Four Pack,” a quartet of new football shows that debut in September. The shows include Breakdown (Tuesdays, 10 PM ET), Sites & Sounds (Wednesdays, 10 PM ET), Behind the Schemes (Thursdays, 10 PM ET) and Big Ten Football and Beyond (Fridays, 10 PM ET).

Revsine will host the Big Ten Football Tour, while DiNardo and Griffith will provide on-the-field analysis of each team’s top newcomers, rising stars, important position battles and schedule. A coach or player will wear a wireless microphone during practice to give fans another perspective on the team’s preparation for the season.

The tour begins at Ohio State (Aug. 11), and continues at Penn State (Aug. 13), Michigan (Aug. 14), Michigan State (Aug. 15), Indiana (Aug. 17), Purdue (Aug. 18), Illinois (Aug. 19), Northwestern (Aug. 20), Wisconsin (Aug. 21) and Minnesota (Aug. 22), before wrapping up at Iowa (Aug. 25).

In addition to the on-the-field aspects, shows will include interviews with head coaches, coordinators and position coaches. Reporters Mike Hall, Rick Pizzo and Charissa Thompson will have post-practice interviews with key returning players, newcomers, former players or other special guests.

Fans along the Big Ten Football Tour route will have a chance to win football tickets and other Big Ten Network prizes by getting updates through the network’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The Big Ten Network also will produce a separate 30-minute football preview show for each Big Ten school. Those programs will premiere during the last week of August. The network will also air a two-part conference-wide preview show at 10 PM ET on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Preseason coverage for each school is listed below.

Illinois:

Aug. 19 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 29 – Illinois Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Indiana:

Aug. 17 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 28 – Indiana Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Iowa:

Aug. 25 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Iowa Football Preview (9:30 PM ET)

Michigan:

Aug. 14 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 26 – Michigan Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Michigan State:

Aug. 15 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 27 – Michigan State Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Minnesota:

Aug. 22 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Minnesota Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Northwestern:

Aug. 20 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 29 – Northwestern Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Ohio State:

Aug. 11 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 26 – Ohio State Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Penn State:

Aug. 13 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 27 – Penn State Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Purdue:

Aug. 18 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 28 – Purdue Football Preview (10 PM ET)

Wisconsin:

Aug. 21 – Big Ten Football Tour (10 PM ET)

Aug. 30 – Wisconsin Football Preview (10:30 PM ET)

Old school NFL fans will remember the original incarnation of the NFL Today on CBS hosted by Brent Musberger with Phyllis George, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder and Irv Cross. From the late 1970′s through the late 1980′s, it was a ratings juggernaut beating NBC’s NFL pregame show like a drum every year. Of course, having the NFC package had a lot to do with that. The reason why I’m mentioning this is the fact that Irv Cross will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his work on CBS.

FORMER CBS NFL ANCHOR IRV CROSS TO BE HONORED BY PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

IRV CROSS, a nine-year defensive back with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, made history in 1971 when he became the first African American sports analyst on national television with CBS. Four years later he began a 15-year run as the first anchor of the network’s Emmy-Award-winning The NFL Today pregame show.

For his exceptional work on NFL telecasts, Cross will be honored during the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s enshrinement weekend in early August with the PETE ROZELLE RADIO-TELEVISION AWARD.

“The game means a great deal to me and I have a high regard for the people who made pro football what it is today,” Cross said. “I am humbled to have been selected as one of those in the radio-TV business to have had an impact on the game.”

Cross, currently the executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota, joins past Rozelle Award winners including ROONE ARLEDGE, JACK BUCK, DICK ENBERG, FRANK GIFFORD, JOHN MADDEN, and PAT SUMMERALL.

Next, Golf Channel tells us what it has in store programming-wise for the next week.

COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… July 27 – Aug. 2, 2009

Rebirth of New Orleans and Rehab for Wounded Warriors on Golf in America

Original Programming Premieres and Highlights

(All times eastern)

Golf in America

Video Preview: Golf in America

Time: Tuesday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Host: Anthony Anderson

The sixth episode of the 10-week series will feature:

· Bayou District Foundation: Rebirth in New Orleans– City Park was once home to 54 holes of municipal golf in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the facility. Four years later, the North Course is again open to the public, the first step of a rebirth for City Park and St. Bernard Parish. By following the model created by the revival of East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, New Orleans hopes to establish City Park as a championship golf course facility and revive the community. GOLF CHANNEL’s Rich Lerner gets a first-hand look at the facility and the vision for the community.

· Golf As Therapy for Wounded Warriors – For wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, golf serves as both mental and physical therapy. The National Amputee Golf Association teaches golf professionals, rehabilitation professionals and parks and recreation professionals, techniques and drills for teaching golf to veterans with disabilities. GOLF CHANNEL’s Steve Sands will visit with National Amputee Golf Association president Bob Wilson and the professionals at Fort Belvoir Golf Club near Washington, D.C., where they work the front line to help our wounded warriors get back into the swing of everyday life.

· Oakhurst Links – Established in 1884, Oakhurst Links is the oldest golf course in the United States. The fairways are maintained by grazing sheep, the tee-boxes are made of sand and the players wear knickers and use hickory-shafted clubs. Restored in 1994, the West Virginia course hosts the annual National Hickory Championship. Golf in America will give viewers an inside glimpse into the history of Oakhurst Links and will showcase how golf was played before modern technology took over during the 2009 National Hickory Championship in June.

Golf in America takes viewers coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people in capturing the spirit of the game of golf. The series, hosted by film and television actor Anthony Anderson, chronicles stories in stunning HD from celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump to everyday people across the country that are unified by the sport.

Playing Lessons from the Pros

Time: Monday 10 – 10:30 p.m.

Host: Stephanie Sparks

PGA TOUR professional Rory Sabbatini and host Stephanie Sparks will play a round of golf at Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, on a new episode of Playing Lessons From the Pros. Sabbatini will show viewers the keys to his stellar golf game and will delve into how he deals with pressure.

Top 10: Tiger Short Game Shots

Time: Tuesday 9 – 9:30 p.m.

Host: Lauren Thompson

Tuesday’s new episode of Top 10 will count down Tiger Woods’ top 10 short game shots, featuring insight from JB Holmes, Sean O’Hair, Chris DiMarco Rocco Mediate, Dan Hicks and Roger Maltbie. Notable shots to be featured include Woods’ chip-in on the 16^th hole at the 2005 Masters, his birdies on the 72^nd holes to win the 2008 and 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational tournaments and his birdie on the 72^nd hole to force a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open.

PGA TOUR Primetime

Time: Thursday-Friday 8:30 – 11:30 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.

GOLF CHANNEL’s Thursday and Friday coverage from the Buick Open will re-air on PGA TOUR Primetime from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. ET. Saturday and Sunday, GOLF CHANNEL will re-air CBS Sports’ weekend coverage from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. ET.

News and Talk Show Programming Highlights

Golf Central

Live Airings: Monday – Thursday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Friday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 1:30 – 2 a.m.

Saturday 6 – 6:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Sunday 6 – 7 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Golf Central will recap the news and storylines from the RBC Canadian Open and all of the tours, preview the upcoming tournaments and deliver news and insight.Thursday – Sunday, Golf Central will broadcast live from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, delivering all of the comprehensive wrap-around news coverage of the 2009 Buick Open in addition to the latest news from the Ricoh Women’s British Open and all golf’s major tours.

Golf Central Pre Game

Live Airings: Thursday – Friday 2:30 – 3 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday 12:30 – 1 p.m.; 2:30 – 3 p.m.

Hosted by Kraig Kann and Brandel Chamblee on-site from Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Golf Central Pre Game will prepare viewers for all of the action on the various golf tours with news, interviews and analysis. Saturday and Sunday, Golf Central Pre Game will air from 12:30 – 1 p.m. ET prior to GOLF CHANNEL’s lead-in coverage, and return for a second show from 2:30 – 3 p.m., preparing viewers for CBS Sports’ weekend action.

The Golf Fix

Time: Monday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Michael Breed

GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced interactive instructional show will feature the key shots from the weekend, and highlight call-ins and emails from viewers during the show. GolfChannel.com will include a bonus segment following the conclusion of the live show on Monday.

The Approach with Callaway Golf

Time: Tuesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Hosts: Kraig Kann/ Analysts Andrew Magee and Alex Miceli

Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will recap the RBC Canadian Open, the Senior Open Championship and the Evian Masters and preview the Buick Open and the Ricoh Women’s British Open in an entertaining and informative manner.

Grey Goose 19^th Hole

Time: Wednesday 8 – 8:30 p.m.

Host: Vince Cellini/Analysts Jeff Rude and Rex Hoggard

Grey Goose 19^th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show will feature debates on the hot topics in golf coming out of the RBC Canadian Open, Senior Open Championship and the Evian Masters.

To CBS Sports and its coverage of the Tour de France this weekend.

CBS SPORTS BULLETIN BOARD

CBS SPORTS PEDALS TO PARIS ON SUNDAY, JULY 26 AS LANCE ARMSTRONG TRIES TO WIN FINAL STAGES OF 2009 “TOUR DE FRANCE” FOR HISTORIC WIN

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR’s coverage of the 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE pedals into Paris for its final stages on Sunday, July 26 (2:00-3:00 PM, ET; SD TAPE) in this hour-long recap on the CBS Television Network. American Lance Armstrong, making a comeback after winning seven consecutive Tours and falling to fourth place 3:55 behind Astana teammate Alberto Contador after 17 stages, looks to try and overcome three other riders ahead of him for an improbable and unlikely eighth win. Craig Hummer hosts the show, while Vic Frank serves as producer of CBS Sports’ coverage. Production support will be provided by Versus.

Harold Bryant is Vice President of Production, CBS Sports.

Not that you’ll watch, but ESPN wants you to know that the WNBA All-Star Game will be on ABC on Saturday in High Def, no less!

2009 WNBA All-Star Game in High Definition Saturday on ABC HD
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 to be Announced

The best-of-the-best from the East and West will face each other in the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Sunday, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. ET, in high definition on ABC HD. Dave Pasch will call the ninth All-Star Game alongside analysts Nancy Lieberman and Carolyn Peck, with courtside reporters Heather Cox and Rebecca Lobo.

The Eastern Conference will feature All-Stars Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics, Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas of the Indiana Fever, and Candice Dupree and Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky. The Western Conference All-Stars will be led by starters Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Silver Stars and Lauren Jackson of the Seattle Storm.

Asjha Jones of the Connecticut Sun will be one of five former UConn stars suiting up for this year’s All-Star Game, the most by any university. The others include Western Conference All-Stars Sue Bird and Swin Cash of Seattle, Charde Houston of the Minnesota Lynx and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.

Lin Dunn, head coach of the Indiana Fever, will lead the Eastern Conference, while Dan Hughes, head coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars, will coach the West. Both head coaches, one player from each team and the lead referee will wear live microphones during the telecast. ABC’s production will also include the exclusive live announcement of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

To supplement ABC’s telecast of the game, ESPN.com will provide robust coverage of the 2009 WNBA All-Star Game with pre-game features from columnists Mechelle Voepel and Graham Hays, plus a new interactive social media site, which will include live-blogging from Voepel and Hays, tweets from ESPN TV personalities @RebeccaLobo, @NancyLieberman and @CAROLYNPECK and WNBA All-Stars, WNBA fan questions and comments, polls, photos, highlight video, ESPN Stats and Analysis research notes and more. WNBA All-Stars scheduled to participate: Alana Beard, Charde Houston, Cappie Pondexter, Sophia Young and Swin Cash.

That’s it for now.

MLB on TV This Weekend

Let’s go over what the networks are showing baseball-wise this weekend. We’ll post Fox, ESPN and TBS Sports here so you have one stop shopping to find out what game is on in your area.

Here are the games for Fox plus a bit more.

MLB ON FOX’s SATURDAY GAME OF THE WEEK:

Sluggers Howard & Pujols’ Division-Leading Clubs Square-Off in Philly

Rosenthal Weighs-In on LaRoche Acquisition

MLB ON FOX WEEK 16: SLUGGERS SWING FOR FENCES AT CBP – The FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK closes out its July coverage with three matchups featuring teams each within two games of first place on Saturday, July 25 (4:00 PM ET). NL East and Central division leaders clash in Philadelphia as Ryan Howard and the Phillies host Albert Pujols and the Cardinals. In Anaheim, the AL West-leading Angels host Joe Mauer and the Twins. Another AL Central battle ensues as Jim Thome and the White Sox head to Detroit to take on Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers. This week, the pregame show originates live from Comerica Park in Detroit with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins analyst Mark Grace to handle play-by-play duties. For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.

Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports.

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies, Dick Stockton, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 73% of USA

Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels, Kenny Albert & Eric Karros, going to 16% of USA

Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, Chris Rose & Mark Grace, going to 10% of USA

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis

ROSENTHAL: LAROCHE TO RED SOX ADDS TO TEAM’S VERSATILITY – Earlier today, the Boston Red Sox traded two midlevel prospects to Pittsburgh for Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche. FOXSports.com senior writer & MLB on FOX insider, Ken Rosenthal thinks the deal adds to the versatility of the Red Sox. “LaRoche gives the Sox an additional hitter they need at a minimal price in prospects. He’s a left-handed hitter who can start at 1B, against right-handed pitching. All-Star first baseman Kevin Youkilis can move to third base and the Sox can rest Mike Lowell. They need to rest Lowell because his hip remains a concern. Youkilis‘ versatility gives them multiple options.”

For more on this story log onto:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9838522/Pirates-trade-Adam-LaRoche-to-Red-Sox

For more from Rosenthal log onto:

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9837158/Buchholz-gives-BoSox-ace-in-the-hole

Then to ESPN for Sunday, Monday and Wednesday Night Baseball.

Sunday Night Baseball (July 26)

Chicago White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at 8 p.m. ET
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Jon Miller, Orel Hershiser, Steve Phillips

Monday Night Baseball (July 27)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals * at 7 p.m.
* full national telecast; available in both local markets
(ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile TV)
Commentators: Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser, Steve Phillips

Wednesday Night Baseball (July 29)

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays at 7 p.m.
(ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com)
Commentators: Dave O’Brien, Rick Sutcliffe

TBS will be added when the release comes on Friday.

And here is that release.

Matt Holliday and the Cardinals Slug it out with the Phillies on “Sunday MLB on TBS”

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on Sunday, July 26^th at 1:30 p.m. ET with National League match-up featuring newly acquired Matt Holliday and the St. Louis Cardinals taking on Ryan Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies. St. Louis recently picked-up Holliday in a four-player trade with the Oakland A’s. The Cardinals’ probable starting pitcher Todd Wellemeyer is scheduled to take the mound against Joe Blanton of the Phillies. Chip Caray (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and David Wells (analyst) will call the action from the broadcast booth.

Sunday MLB on TBS includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season. In October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 26

1:30 p.m. St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play), Ron Darling (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., August 2

4:00 p.m. Philadelphia Phillies @ San Francisco Giants

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

Sun., August 9

1:00 p.m. Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers

Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Dennis Eckersley (analyst)

And for those of you who have Sirius XM, it will have live coverage of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Cooperstown, NY on Sunday.

SIRIUS XM TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE RADIO COVERAGE OF BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION JULY 26

MLB Home Plate and Mad Dog Radio channels to broadcast live from Cooperstown, NY, during Hall of Fame Weekend

Listeners will hear Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken as they host a Hall of Fame edition of ‘Ripken Baseball’

NEW YORK – July 24, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio announced today that it will offer listeners the exclusive radio broadcast of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, July 26, 2009 on MLB Home Plate, XM channel 175 and SIRIUS channel 210 with the “Best of XM” programming package.

MLB Home Plate, SIRIUS XM’s 24-hour baseball talk channel, will have live coverage starting at 1:30 pm ET, as all-time runs and stolen bases leader Rickey Henderson, longtime Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice, and former Yankees and Indians second baseman Joe Gordon are enshrined in Cooperstown, NY.

In addition to the Induction Ceremony, Hall of Fame Weekend (July 24 – 27) features a variety of baseball events and is attended by dozens of Hall of Famers. MLB Home Plate and Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS XM’s all-sports talk channel, will broadcast live from Cooperstown Friday, Saturday and Sunday, giving fans around the country access to the epicenter of baseball history, plus live one-on-one interviews with some of the game’s legendary players who will be in town for the festivities.

Listeners can tune in to hear Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and his brother and major league veteran Billy Ripken host a special Hall of Fame edition of their weekly MLB Home Plate show, Ripken Baseball. The Ripkens will discuss this year’s Hall of Fame class, air an interview Cal and Billy conducted with Jim Rice, and reminisce about Cal’s induction into the Hall in 2007. Ripken Baseball airs every Friday (12:00 – 2:00 pm ET) exclusively on MLB Home plate. The show replays Saturday morning at 6:00 am ET.

Today, July 24, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo will host his daily show, Mad Dog Unleashed, live from Cooper Park, located outside the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mad Dog Unleashed airs every weekday (2:00 – 7:00 pm ET) exclusively on Mad Dog Radio, SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144.

On Saturday, July 25, MLB Home Plate’s Jim Duquette and Bill Pidto will broadcast live (10:00 am – 1:00 pm ET) from Cooper Park. The following day, July 26, Pidto and Duquette will be live at the Clark Sports Center (10:30 am – 1:30 pm ET) to preview the Induction Ceremony, interview Hall of Famers and lead in to SIRIUS XM’s live coverage of the Enshrinement starting at 1:30 pm ET.

That’s it.

The NFL Draft is Officially a Primetime Affair

This press release came while I was in the car and unfortunately, I could not get to a place that had wireless until late. So here’s the official word from the National Football League that next year’s Draft will span three days with the first round happening on a Thursday night and ending on a Saturday.

Take a look.

NFL DRAFT TO KICK OFF IN PRIME TIME IN 2010

First Round Starts at 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, April 22

Draft to Expand to Three Days for First Time

The NFL Draft will kick off in prime time for the first time in 2010, it was announced today. The first round of the 2010 NFL Draft will start on Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 PM ET with the second and third rounds on Friday, April 23 at 6:30 PM ET followed by rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 AM ET.

The draft will continue to be televised by ESPN and NFL Network. The 2010 NFL Draft – the 75^th draft in NFL history – will again be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

“We continue to look for ways to make the draft more accessible to more fans,” said Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television.”

The 2009 NFL Draft (Saturday, April 25-Sunday, April 26) drew a record 39 million viewers on NFL Network, ESPN and ESPN2. Total NFL Draft viewership increased 66 percent from 2001 to 2009 (from 23.5 million to 39 million).

The first round of last year’s draft on ESPN and NFL Network drew a combined average of 6.3 million viewers, topping all basketball, hockey and baseball games that weekend.

The NFL Draft was a Saturday-Sunday event from 1995-2009. It took place on Sunday-Monday from 1988-94 and prior to 1988 was held on one or two weekdays.

Following is a date and time breakdown of the 2010 NFL Draft:

2010 NFL Draft	Date	Time*
Round 1	Thursday, April 22	7:30-11:00 PM ET
Rounds 2-3	Friday, April 23	6:30-11:00 PM ET
Rounds 4-7	Saturday, April 24	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET

* end times approximate

I would rather see the NFL go Friday through Sunday to get full weekend coverage, but I’m not the Commish to make that decision.

Jason Whitlock Is Bat Shit Crazy

There are certain writers I try to ignore at Fang’s Bites for the simple reasons they write to draw attention to themselves and more often than not, they don’t write about the sports media. But even when these writers do, they come off badly.

Case in point, Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star and Fox Sports.com. Mr. Whitlock is a very good writer. He stirs the pot and that is what columnists like Mr. Whitlock are paid to do. Today, Whitlock wrote about the Erin Andrews situation and blamed Deadspin for the entire situation (without mentioning the heinous person, possibly an ESPN employee, who videotaped Ms. Andrews in her hotel room without her knowledge) citing an old incident between ESPN host Stuart Scott and NFL Network employee Michelle Beisner as evidence. Good for you, Jason. Rehash a previously dead incident and now let everyone relive this including Ms. Beisner.

I can go point-by-point to debunk this, but Bob’s Blitz has already done so and very well, I might add.

There’s plenty of blame to go around and yes, Deadspin originally pointed the videos out, but this was before ESPN confirmed that the person in question in the grainy videos was indeed Ms. Andrews. And yes, Deadspin was one of the first blogs to post pics of Erin, but it was not as Whitlock points out to “exploit private lives for profit…”

And then to ensure people read Whitlock’s column at its website, Fox Sports puts this picture on its front page:

How does this help the situation when you photoshop Jason looking through a peephole at Erin? News Corp. from the New York Post to Fox News now to FoxSports.com has not handled itself well here. I don’t blame Whitlock for that picture, someone at FoxSports.com put that up and really wasn’t thinking. I just shake my head.

It’s been 8 days since the video came to light and unfortunately, the coverage of this story has just gotten worse. Columnists like Whitlock and Jay Mariotti who fired shots at everyone today make it appear as if blogs are to blame for everything including El Nino.

Crazy Thursday Linkage

Well, where do I begin? There’s the Erin Andrews story which continues to pick up momentum. And we have ESPN finally acknowledging the Ben Roethlisberger civil lawsuit story two days after other media outlets have been reporting it. Personally, I found some Harry Chapin albums on iTunes and videos on YouTube so expect to see those in a future edition of Videos of the Week.

Here’s one video before we go to links. Harry Chapin doing “Mr. Tanner” with bassist John Wallace doing the baritone backup. Great song.

After that, it’s time to delve into the links.

Yesterday, I did an interview with 16 year old Alex Reimer of the Without A Curse podcast. We talked about the WEEI/WBZ-FM competition. Click here and you can forward the podcast to about the six minute mark and we talk for about ten minutes or so. Adam does a good job. He knows his stuff.

Starting with Sean Leahy of USA Today’s The Huddle blog, he writes that ESPN finally reported the Roethlisberger story last night.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes that ESPN for whatever reason played it cautious with the Roethlisberger civil lawsuit.

I’m warning you before the link that Newsday’s website underwent a major redesign so you may be a bit shocked when you see white fonts on a blue background instead of dark fonts on a white background. Anyway, Neil writes about ESPN’s decision to come out of its ivory tower and report on Roethlisberger.

Christopher Byrne of Eye on Sports Media writes that ESPN is taking a hit to its integrity to which I say it hardly has any for its reporting of this story.

Kevin Blackistone of Fanhouse believes ESPN swung and missed by joining the coverage late.

Excellent article from the great Ed Berliner, a former sports TV anchor himself, saying ESPN did not do itself any favors.

Dan LeBatard writing in the Miami Herald says ESPN showed restraint by not reporting the story originally. I don’t think it was restraint, it might have been protecting an interest.

To the Erin Andrews story.

Bob’s Blitz which has done a tremendous job following the story says the New York Post is hitting back at ESPN banning its reporters from its network and radio stations for publishing pictures of the creepy video, saying Erin Andrews’ lawyer is to blame for all this putting the name of the website on its complaint.

Here’s the New York Post Page Six article referred to in Bob’s Blitz post.

The Big Lead asks now that New York Post reporters are banned from ESPN, will Fox News be next after Bill O’Reilly ran the video on his show last night.

Jay Mariotti of Fanhouse fires shots at everyone over the video.

The Rookies blog fires back at Jay.

The Buffalo News reports the video may have been shot in Western New York, although that is rather sketchy.

Steve Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says the coverage of Erin Andrews has hypocrisy written all over it.

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times wants all of us to grow up.

Reid Cherner and Tom Weir of USA Today’s Game On! blog has Christine Brennan clarifying her comments about Erin Andrews.

Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald says NESN’s Heidi Watney has chimed in on the video.

To the SEC Network.

Tim Griffin of ESPN.com says the Big 12′s fears came true when it was announced that the SEC Network’s footprint extended into Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Marc Weiszer of the Savannah (GA) Morning News says the SEC just got bigger thanks to ESPN’s power.

Andy Bitter and David Hale of the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer write that ESPN will air 23 more SEC football games this season thanks to the SEC Network.

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tries to sort out the new ESPN/SEC contract.

Bill King of the AJC says Georgia fans can sit back and turn on their TV to see every game this season.

Tommy Hicks of the Mobile (AL) Press-Register says the SEC has released the TV schedule for the first three weeks of the season.

Let’s move on to other links now.

This might have been a lead story had it not been for Erin Andrews, Ben Roethlisberger and the SEC Network. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit is suing the Internal Revenue Service for not allowing him to claim a tax deduction after he donated his house to the local fire department. Is suing the IRS a good idea?

Writing in the Baltimore-centric Press Box site, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com has several local news and notes including the departure of the long-time WBAL-AM vice president and station manager.

From the DC Metro Weekly paper, Sean Bugg interviews Tennis Channel analyst and World Team Tennis player Rennae Stubbs.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that the Capitals will remain on its current radio flagship station.

Back to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and TV/radio writer Rodney Ho who reports the Braves are changing their radio flagships next season.

John Royal of the Houston Press says the Texas Bowl made the right move in going to ESPN after not being seen on the NFL Network for the last three years.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers a day early.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes about tonight’s ESPN Homecoming show starring former Rams QB Kurt Warner.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News digs into the Sports Illustrated vaults and finds an article from 1979 about a small cable TV network that was hoping to show sports 24 a day.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News asks what’s the big fuss over the LeBron James dunk video which was no big deal after it was released yesterday afternoon.

Erica Ogg of CNET.com looks at the MLB At Bat iPhone app which now has every game available on streaming video.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball has an excellent article on the top 10 Marketing issues facing MLB right now.

Evan Weiner writing at the MCN Sports site calls on Congress to change the cable TV laws that allowed networks like ESPN to get too big.

David Goetzl of Mediapost writes about Fox Sports taking a stake in Open Sports Network for fantasy sports.

Wayne Friedman of Mediapost says NBC Universal putting on the USA-Mexico World Cup qualifying match on a little-known and barely seen channel is all about business.

Colby Hall of Mediaite talks with ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons. The less I say about him the better.

Chuck Hanf of the Two Cents from Beantown blog lists his five top sports stars of all time in the Hub. I like his top choice.

I would be remiss if I didn’t link you to the latest edition of The Five on WEEI.com hosted always by the lovely Kristine Leahy.

Wow. Lots of links. I need to clear my head so I’m taking a walk. See you later.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Cycling
Tour de France, Stage 18 – Versus, 8:30 a.m.

Golf
LPGA Tour/Evian Masters, 1st round – Golf Channel, 6:30 p.m. (same day coverage)
PGA Tour/Canadian Open, 1st round – Golf Channel, 3 p.m.

MLB

American League
Cleveland at Toronto – STO/Rogers Preview, 12:30 p.m.
Seattle at Detroit – FSN Northwest/Fox Sports Detroit, 1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox – Fox Sports Florida/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2 p.m.
Oakland at New York Yankees – MLB Network/Comcast SportsNet California/YES, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Anaheim Angels – Fox Sports North/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
San Francisco at Atlanta – Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/SportSouth, 1 p.m.
San Diego at Philadelphia – Cox 4/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Washington – Fox Sports Midwest/MASN, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Arizona – FSN Pittsburgh/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.

Baseball Tonight – ESPN, 10 p.m.
MLB Tonight: Roundtripper Final – MLB Network, 10 p.m.

Entertainment
Big Brother 11 – CBS, 8 p.m.
Torchwood: Children of Earth/Day Four – BBC America, 9 p.m.
Burn Notice – USA Network, 9 p.m.
Royal Pains – USA Network, 10 p.m.
Penn & Teller: Bullshit – Showtime, 10 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman – CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark – Showtime 2, midnight

Various Press Releases

I just got a note from Jessica Camerato from WEEI.com telling me to get to sleep so I’m going to finish this quickly and go to bed. Funny how people just know my schedule thanks to Twitter. So as I listen to Sophie B. Hawkins on iTunes, let me finish this post up.

NBC and Universal Sports team up for coverage of the Swimming World Championships and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps will be there.

PHELPS HEADLINES NBC SPORTS LIVE COVERAGE OF SWIMMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WHICH BEGINS SUNDAY

Universal Sports Live Coverage Continues Monday - Friday

NEW YORK ? July 22, 2009 ? Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in U.S. history with 14 gold medals and 16 total medals, leads the U.S. team as they battle the world's best swimmers as NBC Sports presents six hours of live coverage of the Swimming World Championships over the next two weekends.  Coverage starts this Sunday with a two-hour program at Noon ET. Coverage will continue throughout the week on Universal Sports with a live two-hour program beginning at Noon ET each day Monday-Friday. Joining Phelps, who won seven gold medals at the 2007 championships in Melbourne, will be teammates Ryan Lochte, Dara Torres, Aaron Peirsol, Peter Vanderkaay and Rebecca Soni.

NBC Sports' Olympic swimming broadcast team, featuring three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, Emmy Award-winning host Dan Hicks and reporter Andrea Kremer, will provide commentary for all of the swimming events on both NBC Sports and Universal Sports. Coverage on both networks is hosted and produced by the NBC Olympics production team, led by NBC Sports and Olympics Executive Producer David Neal and Director Drew Esocoff. Esocoff, who is also the director for "NBC Sunday Night Football," directed the swimming coverage at the Beijing Olympic Games.

COVERAGE ON NBC SPORTS: NBC Sports will air six hours of competition over two weekends beginning this Sunday from Noon-2 p.m. ET and continuing August 1 and 2 from Noon - 2 p.m. ET. Coverage highlights include:

This Sunday: Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final (Torres)
  Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final (Phelps)
Saturday, Aug. 1: Men's 100m Butterfly Final (Phelps)
  Women's 4x100 Medley Relay Final (Torres)
Sunday, Aug. 2: Men's 50m Backstroke Final (Peirsol)
  Men's 400 Individual Medley Final (Lochte)
  Women's 50m Freestyle Final (Torres)
  Men's 4x100 Medley Relay Final (Peirsol, Phelps)  

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSAL SPORTS: Universal Sports will run a daily, two-hour live program during the swimming finals, beginning noon ET from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31. Coverage highlights include:

Monday  Men's 100m Backstroke Semis (Peirsol)
  Men's 200m Freestyle Semis (Phelps)
Tuesday  Men's 200m Freestyle Final (Phelps)
  Men's 100m Backstroke Final (Peirsol)
Wednesday  Men's 200m Butterfly Final (Phelps)
Thursday  Men's 200m Individual Medley Final (Lochte)
  Men's 200m Backstroke Semis (Peirsol, Lochte)
Friday   Men's 200m Backstroke Final (Peirsol, Lochte)
  Women's 200m Breaststroke Final (Soni)
  Men's 100m Butterfly Semis (Phelps)
  Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay (Phelps, Lochte, Vanderkaay)

COVERAGE ON UNIVERSALSPORTS.COM: UniversalSports.com will provide live streaming coverage of the entire swimming competition, from heats through finals, with live webcasts everyday at 11:30 a.m. ET.

A full TV schedule is available at UniversalSports.com/tvschedule, and a detailed competition schedule, as well as highlights, full-length videos, photos, breaking news and more will be available at Universal Sports' swimming channel at UniversalSports.com/swimming.

NBC SPORTS, UNIVERSAL SPORTS AND THE WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Throughout the entire World Aquatics Championships (July 17-August 2), Universal Sports and NBC Sports will present more than 50 hours of coverage, more than triple the amount of broadcast hours for any international aquatics event outside of the Olympic Games. 

Here’s what else NBC Sports is covering this weekend.

DEW TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEKEND WITH SKATE OPEN, ISF SKATEBOARDING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON NBC

NEW YORK ? July 22, 2009 ? The world titles in street and vert skateboarding will be decided this weekend during NBC Sports' coverage of the Dew Tour Skate Open, International Skateboarding Federation Skateboarding World Championships from the TD Garden in Boston. This is the first time in its five-year history that the Dew Tour has stopped in Boston. NBC Sports' live coverage of the skate park finals airs Saturday and taped coverage of the skate vert finals airs Sunday, at 4-6 p.m. ET both days.

Athlete analysts Paul Zitzer and Chris Miller will join host Kenan Harkin and correspondent Tiffany Simons from Boston.

The sport's best athletes will be competing for the world titles in street and vert skating including street legend Eric Koston, 2009 Maloof Money Cup champions Chris Cole, Alex Perelson, Ryan Sheckler, 2008 Skate Park Dew Cup champion Chaz Ortiz and Massachusetts-natives Andy Macdonald and Nick Dompierre.

Complete 2009 Dew Tour Schedule:

Date/Event/Site ? Venue
Aug. 13 - 16: Wendy's Invitational, Portland, Ore., Rose Quarter
Sept. 17 - 20: Toyota Challenge, Salt Lake City, Utah, Energy Solutions Arena
Oct. 15 - 18: PlayStation Pro, Orlando, Fla., Amway Arena

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, SATURDAY, 2:30 PM ET

NBC Sports presents an encore presentation of the 2008 Ironman World Championship from Hawaii. Al Trautwig hosts.

Created in 1977 in Honolulu, the Ironman is one of the most challenging competitions in all of sports. Competitors swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and end with a 26.2 mile marathon. Athletes compete through rough terrain that includes harsh ocean waves and lava covered concrete, characteristics of beautiful Kona, Hawaii.

I did not mean for this to be NBC Universal-centric, but this release promotes a new CNBC documentary on Ultimate Fighting that airs next week.

CNBC PRESENTS ULTIMATE FIGHTING:  FISTFUL OF DOLLARS

CNBC DOCUMENTARY TAKES A NEW BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP-THE BIGGEST BRAND IN BRAWLING
One-Hour Special Reported by CNBC's Scott Wapner to Premiere on Wednesday, July 29th at 10PM & 1AM ET on CNBC
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., July 22, 2009-It's a hit business like no other, a violent and growing sport that's attracted controversy, millions of fans, and some deep pockets. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has battled its way to the top of mixed martial arts, continuing to dominate the competition and thrive in a troubled economy when other sports are faltering.

On Wednesday, July 29th at 10PM & 1AM ET, CNBC presents "Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars," a CNBC special reported by CNBC's Scott Wapner that takes a new behind-the-scenes look at Ultimate Fighting Championship- the biggest brand in mixed martial arts, one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The documentary builds on earlier reporting, first aired in 2007, with new interviews and coverage throughout.

Wapner travels to Germany for the UFC's first-ever event in mainland Europe, and goes inside the Octagon with Dana White, the controversial front man who's helped raise the brand to new heights with a shrewd business sense and a style shaped more in the gym than the corporate suite. CNBC also speaks with wealthy backers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, and profiles a stable of standout fighters -- including star Rich Frankin -- who have helped the league grow from a dying franchise to a global sensation in less than a decade.

The program explores the early days of UFC, when it played to meager crowds and was banned from television. Today, the UFC has established a formidable presence in the sporting world and on the landscape of popular culture, and Madison Avenue has taken notice.  In 2007, marquee brands were reluctant to advertise with a league that had a dubious, no-holds-barred past. Though some controversy remains, the UFC has gone mainstream, and Fortune 500 companies like Budweiser and Harley-Davidson have become big-time backers.

With a reported $275 million in revenues last year, the UFC's success has not gone unnoticed, and a number of would-be competitors have emerged. Wapner interviews billionaires Mark Cuban and Donald Trump, who are working together to present mixed martial arts events, promising top fighters and revenues to match. Dana White tells Wapner that they are just another in a long list of competitors he is ready to take to the mat.

CNBC also takes a look at the range of promotions, endorsements and movie deals tied to the sport, as well as at TapouT, the successful apparel company created by three hardcore fans who turned their passion for mixed martial arts into a $100 million dollar business.

For more information including video clips and slideshows log onto: ufc.cnbc.com.

CNBC's "Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars" will re-air on Friday, July 31st at 1AM ET and Sunday, August 1st at 10PM ET.

Mitch Weitzner is the Executive Producer of "Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars."  Alison O'Brien is the Producer.

ESPN previews “Homecoming” hosted by Rick Reilly with guest Arizona Cardinals QB Rick Reilly.

Iowa’s Son Kurt Warner Receives an ESPN Homecoming

Two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner is featured in the next installment of ESPN’s original series –Homecoming with Rick Reilly. Hosted by 11-time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, the show challenges that old adage “you can’t go home again.” In mid June, Warner welcomed Reilly to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, IA for the episode to be televised July 23, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Roughly 1,000 people were in the audience to hear the star recount his humble journey to the top of the NFL that started in a local grocery store,

moved to the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League and finally culminated at Super Bowl XXXIV. Reilly also chatted with Warner’s former coaches including high school coach Jim Padlock, previous head coach of the University of Northern Iowa, Terry Allen, past head coach of the St. Louis Rams, Dick Vermeil and current head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Ken Whisenhunt. Other highlights of the episode include Warner giving Reilly a tour of his childhood neighborhood and building a house with Habitat for Humanity, only one year after a tragic flood hit the state.

Excerpts from the Kurt Warner episode:

High School coach Jim Padlock on playing Warner “…At that point our quarterback selections were pretty small and Kurt was pretty tall for a ninth grader.”

Former head coach of the St. Louis Rams Dick Vermeil on Warner “…For some reason I don’t think he ever gets the deep respect that he deserves…You know, players win games not coaches. He’s heard me say that. The reason I have this ring on is because of him, not me.”

Warner on his future in the NFL “I know it’s coming to an end, I know it’s getting closer. I signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals, and I definitely want to play that out…and at this point in time, I am thinking that that’s probably it.”

Finally, this is what you can expect to see on E:60 when it returns for a five week run on ESPN starting next Tuesday.

E:60 Returns Tuesday, July 28

E:60, ESPN’s primetime news magazine program, returns Tuesday, July 28, at 7 p.m. on ESPN, the first of five shows to be aired weekly, July 28 – August 25. Tuesday’s program includes:

• Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young – an exclusive profile of Young, including his first sit-down interview since September 2009 where he talks about concerns of suicide, hopes for 2009 and mentor Steve McNair’s tragic death
• LPGA pro and model Anna Rawson – reporter Tom Farrey reports on her dual career
• Cheese rolling – the tradition spans hundreds of years and reporter Jeremy Schaap searches for the fascination behind the annual one-day event in Gloucester, England
• Motocross champion James Stewart – known as the Tiger Woods of motocross, Stewart prepares to make his X Games debut in Los Angeles

That’s going to do it. I’m going to bed now, Jessica. LOL.

Two Baseball Press Releases

I have two baseball-related press releases for you. One is the very first from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, a channel I cannot watch on DirecTV, but that’s neither here nor there.

This touts the record ratings the network received for Tuesday night’s extra-inning win over the Chicago Cubs.

Tuesday Night’s Phillies Win Delivers Highest Phillies Rating Ever on the Network

Extra-Innings Thriller is Most-Watched Program in Philadelphia Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA- (July 22, 2009) – Tuesday night’s Phillies – Cubs game on Comcast SportsNet delivered a record-breaking 10.6 rating (315,000 households). The Phils’ extra-innings win marks the highest rated Phillies game in Comcast SportsNet’s 12-year history, breaking the previous mark of a 10.5 rating set on September 27, 2007, when the Phillies played the Atlanta Braves.

Tuesday night’s game peaked at a 15.9 rating (472,000 households) at 10 p.m. and was the most watched program in the Philadelphia market throughout the day. This season the Phillies are averaging a 6.3 rating, a 21% increase over the same time period last year.

After the game, Phillies Postgame Live delivered a 6.6 rating (196,000 households), marking it the highest rated postgame show of the season.

Comcast SportsNet has delivered six consecutive seasons of Phillies ratings growth prior to the start of this season.

And the iPhone/iPod Touch now can watch every MLB game thanks to the updated At Bat app.

iPHONE & iPOD TOUCH TO STREAM ALL MLB GAMES LIVE WITH AT BAT 2009

NEW YORK, June 22, 2009 – MLB.com At Bat™ 2009, the top-selling sports App in the App Store, is adding more live video and will stream every regular season Major League Baseball game exclusively for MLB.TV subscribers, effective immediately. This unprecedented distribution of an online streaming video product provides eligible subscribers access to live feeds of every out-of-market game on the iPhone™ and iPod® touch, as well as their computers.

MLB.TV and MLB.TV Premium subscribers can now access live MLB games in high quality video over either a Wi-Fi connection or the carrier network as part of the At Bat 2009 App. Leveraging standards-based https streaming technology, enabled by the iPhone OS 3.0 update, the MLB.com App includes controls to give users the ability to pause a game or rewind the action. Additionally, adaptive bitrate technology is constantly working automatically to give users the highest quality video stream their network connection can support.

MLB.com will continue to make up to two games per day, the At Bat.TV Games of the Day, available for all At Bat 2009 App subscribers, subject to blackout restrictions. The MLB.com At Bat™ 2009 App also offers live audio broadcasts without blackout restrictions, a continuously updated scoreboard, MLB.com Gameday™ functionality, real-time video highlights and Condensed Games, a short-form video recap of every payoff pitch from every game.

The MLB.com At Bat™ App for the 2009 MLB season, including the entire postseason, is available for a one-time fee of $9.99 from the App Store on iPhone™ and iPod^® touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

One more release post and that’s it.

NFL Network’s Programming Through Next Week

I have too many press releases to post. A lot of them, but I have to break them up so not to make them too long to scroll. So I’ll give you what NFL Network will air through the next six days.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (7/23-7/28)

CARDINALS HEAD COACH KEN WHISENHUNT

IN-STUDIO ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS THURSDAY

Special 90-Minute Training Camp Editions

of NFL Total Access Begin Monday

Debut of NFL’s Top 10 Greatest Hands

Friday at 8:00 PM ET

NFL’S TOP 10 Greatest Hands – Friday at 8:00 & 11:00 PM ET

From Lynn Swann and Fred Biletnikoff to Marvin Harrison and Larry Fitzgerald, these receivers lay claim to records, stats and memorable catches characteristic only of those with the greatest hands in the NFL.

NFL’s Top 10 provides a look at some of the most intriguing subjects in the NFL, creating and debating a top ten list for each category. Each 60-minute episode counts down from No. 10 to the top ranking in each category.

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS: Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt In-Studio

Thursday, July 23

• Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt in-studio
• Around the League with Jason La Canfora
• Footage from the 2009 NFL-USO Coaches Tour including a Camp Slayer complex tour
• Full coverage of training camp openings from around the league

Friday, July 24

• Footage from the 2009 NFL-USO Coaches Tourincluding the Fourth of July naturalization ceremony
• Full coverage of 2009 training camps

Monday, July 27

• The best moments from Giants head coach Tom Coughlin’s NFL-USO trip to Iraq
• Around the League with Jason La Canfora
• Full coverage of 2009 training camps

Tuesday, July 28

• NFL Network game analyst Matt Millen takes part in the annual referee seminar held by NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira
• The best moments from Titans head coach Jeff Fisher’s NFL-USO trip to Iraq
• Around the League with Jason La Canfora
• Full coverage of 2009 training camps

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM: Chat with Hall of Fame VP of Communications and Exhibits Joe Horrigan

Thursday, July 23

• 12:00 PM ET – NFL.com writer Thomas George chat

Friday, July 24

• 12:00 PM ET – NFL.com writer Pat Kirwan chat
• 2:00 PM ET – Hall of Fame VP of Communications and Exhibits Joe Horrigan chat

Monday, July 27

• 12:00 PM ET – NFL.com writer Vic Carrucci chat
• “On the Fringe” – An inside look into the journey of former Boise State RB Ian Johnson’s quest to make the Vikings roster.

Tuesday, July 28

• 12:00 PM ET – NFL.com writer Gil Brandt chat
• 2:00 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Brian Billick chat
• “On the Fringe” – An inside look into the journey of veteran FB Boomer Grigsby’s quest to make the Texans roster

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET):

Thursday, July 23

1:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Defense Never Rests

2:00 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXVI)

2:30 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl XXXVIII)

3:00 PM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers (HD)

4:00 PM – America’s Game: 1994 San Francisco 49ers (HD)

5:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants (Super Bowl XXXV)

5:30 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams (Super Bowl XXXVI)

6:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XXXVII)

6:30 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl XXXVIII)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 1

9:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 2

10:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 1

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 2

1:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Friday, July 24

1:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Dynasty

2:00 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Super Bowl XXXIX)

2:30 PM – NFL Film Session: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (Super Bowl XLII) (HD)

3:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 1

4:00 PM – NFL Film Session: 2000 QB Challenge – Part 2

5:00 PM – NFL Film Session: New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Super Bowl XXXIX)

5:30 PM – NFL Film Session: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl XL)

6:00 PM – NFL Film Session: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (Super Bowl XLI) (HD)

6:30 PM – NFL Film Session: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots (Super Bowl XLII) (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Greatest Hands

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 QB Controversies

10:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Greatest Hands

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 QB Controversies

1:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

Saturday, July 25

1:00 PM – Game of the Week: New York Giants vs. Seattle Seahawks (2005, Week 12) (HD)

2:00 PM – Game of the Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts (2005 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

3:00 PM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers (HD)

4:00 PM – America’s Game: 1994 San Francisco 49ers (HD)

5:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 QB Controversies

6:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Greatest Hands

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Week in Review (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals (2008 NFC Championship) (HD)

10:30 PM – NFL Total Access: Week in Review (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL Classic Games: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals (2008 NFC Championship) (HD)

Sunday, July 26

9:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Characters

10:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Motivational Coaches

11:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Greatest Hands

12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 QB Controversies

1:00 PM – NFL Replay: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (2008 NFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

2:30 PM – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (2008 NFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

5:30 PM – NFL Replay: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

7:00 PM – Live Wire: Divisional Playoff Edition (HD)

7:30 PM – Starting 11: Divisional Playoff Edition (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (2008 NFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (2008 NFC Divisional Playoffs) (HD)

12:30 AM – NFL Replay: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

2:00 AM – Live Wire: Divisional Playoff Edition (HD)

2:30 AM – Starting 11: Divisional Playoff Edition (HD)

Monday, July 27

6:00 AM – NFL Follies: 2007 Fall Follies

6:30 AM – NFL Replay: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (2008 NFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

8:00 AM – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

9:30 AM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (2008 NFC Divisional Playoffs) (HD)

11:00 AM – NFL Replay: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

12:30 PM – NFL Replay: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (2008 NFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

3:30 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (2008 NFC Divisional Playoffs) (HD)

5:00 PM – NFL Replay: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (2008 AFC Divisional Playoff) (HD)

6:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90 minute edition

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (10/23/2000)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 AM – NFL Classic Games: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (10/23/2000)

Tuesday, July 28

12:30 PM – NFL Follies: NFL Talkin’ Follies – 1998

1:30 PM – NFL Follies: Best of NFL Follies – 1995

2:30 PM – Road to the Super Bowl: 2005

3:30 PM – Road to the Super Bowl: 2006

4:30 PM – NFL Follies: NFL Talkin’ Follies: 1998

5:30 PM – NFL Follies: Best of NFL Follies: 1995

6:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – special 90 minute edition

8:00 PM – NFL Mic’d Up: Ravens at 49ers (10/7/2007)

9:00 PM – Game of the Week: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants (2007, Week 17) (HD)

10:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL Mic’d Up: Ravens at 49ers (10/7/2007)

12:30 AM – Game of the Week: New England Patriots vs. New York Giants (2007, Week 17) (HD)

1:30 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

There are a few more posts before we’re done.