We did early morning Wednesday links today. As we’re back at work today, time to give you some real linkage.
First, the LPGA has unveiled a new logo and online pro shop. Steve DiMeglio of USA Today has the story.
Also from USA Today, Michael Hiestand says TBS will offer some new technology showing Cal Ripken, Jr. swinging at actual pitches thrown in the LDS.
The Sports Media Watch offers the TV ratings for the 2006 League Division Series, the last on ESPN and Fox, the League Championship Series and the World Series.
The Chicago Tribune’s Ed Sherman takes over the media beat from Teddy Greenstein who is covering college football now. Ed says if TBS is going to show the playoff games, it will need to offer better broadcasting teams. Sherman didn’t like NESN’s Don Orsillo and TBS Braves analyst Joe Simpson on the Wild Card playoff game. And Ed announces that *Dun… dun… dun….” Comcast Chicago will carry TBS HD starting today.
New York Daily News columnist Bob Raissman continues to be in a bad mood against TBS. He says even though there are earlier start times for the Red Sox and Yankees series, don’t be fooled because the channel wants to squeeze in more ad money.
Matthew Futterman of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger explains why the Yankees-Cleveland series will start at 6:37 p.m. tomorrow.
Although in Chicago, Greg Couch of the Sun-Times says Cubs fans will have to burn the midnight oil to watch the Arizona series. Also from the Sun-Times, Mark Brown tells Cubs fans without cable to give a good listen to WGN Radio’s Pat Hughes and Ron Santo, although Brown himself will watch TBS. Amy Mack in the Chicago Daily Herald writes about two Cubs fans who will listen to their old 1933 radio to listen to the playoffs.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette talks with Ted Robinson who will call the Red Sox-Angels series with Steve Stone on TBS. And Doyle gives good news to Red Sox Nation. Dave O’Brien will do the radio call of the LDS with Joe Castiglione on the Shaw’s/TD Banknorth/WRKO/WEEI/Entercom Red Sox Radio Network. But there’s some bad news too, because O’Brien has been assigned to work the LCS and World Series for MLB International, Glenn Geffner would work those series with Castig if the Sox advance that far. Horrible.
Richard Crepeau of PopPolitics.com laments the end of the Braves on TBS era.
David Goetzl of the Media Daily News reports that MLB has signed an agreement with Teletrax to monitor when TV stations across the country are running highlights of its playoff games. For instance, MLB will be able to determine if stations are running highlights while a game is in progress. You know the statement “without the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball”? That’s what this is supposed to prevent.
ESPN Radio has announced the broadcasting team assignments for the LDS.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Green Bay Packers are the fourth most popular NFL team in the country. If you’re wondering, Dallas, Indy and Pittsburgh are the top three.
In a commentary for National Public Radio, Frank Deford says having three men in the booth for ESPN’s Monday Night Football is excessive.
Jeff Karzen of the Battle Creek (MI) Enquirer says Michigan and Michigan State fans have a dilemma every week when their school is on the Big Ten Newtork.
That’s it for now.
