This was broken earlier today, but Fox is making it official now, that former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona who left the team last week, will be substituting for Tim McCarver on Fox when the American League Championship Series begins on Saturday. According to Fox Sports PR man Dan Bell, McCarver has a medical issue to take care of and won’t be available for the first two games when the Texas Rangers take on either the Detroit Tigers or New York Yankees:
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So Francona will be in the booth with Joe Buck when the ALCS begins Saturday night at 8 Eastern time.
FRANCONA PINCH HITS FOR McCARVER; CALLS ALCS GAMES 1 & 2 ON FOX WITH BUCK
MLB ON FOX lead analyst Tim McCarver will be unable to work ALCS Games 1 and 2 this weekend due what is expected to be a short-term medical issue. McCarver is having a minor heart-related procedure performed late this week and is expected to return to the booth in time for ALCS Game 3 next Tuesday. Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, who guided that team to World Championships in 2004 and 2007, will take McCarver’s place alongside MLB ON FOX lead play-by play announcer Joe Buck.
Speaking in an interview on WEEI in Boston, Francona says he only has one game experience being a broadcaster as Providence Journal reporter Brian MacPherson tweeted:
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So this is going to be quite interesting to have Francona in the booth. I do think he’ll be able to provide a fresh perspective, but I would think Fox would want an experienced analyst there to help Terry along, but according to the press release, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
