Fang's Bites

Tim McCarver in Auto-Tune

I posted this last year and since Tim McCarver is leaving Fox at the end of this upcoming MLB season, I figured I would bring this promo back. It has him and partner Joe Buck trying to appeal to a younger audience by putting their open in Auto-Tune.

Pretty funny.

The Tim McCarver Broadcasting Timeline

No matter what you think of Tim McCarver and judging from the reaction on social media, a lot of people are happy he’s leaving the Fox broadcast booth after this season. I was not a fan and felt he was overrated by the New York media when he was with the Mets in the 1980′s into the 1990′s. In addition, I thought he was verbose and overexplained things. However, you can’t deny his longevity in the booth and his career.

He’s been either the number analyst or co-number dating back to 1985 when he was with ABC Sports. McCarver has worked with some of the game’s best broadcasters including Jack Buck, Bob Costas, Dick Enberg, Sean McDonough and Al Michaels. He’s one of the few broadcasters who has worked for ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. And behind the mic, he’s been witness to some of the game’s greatest moments either as a local or national announcer.

So thanks to Fox Sports, we have a timeline of McCarver’s broadcasting career in addition to the partners with whom he’s shared the mic.

Here’s the timeline.

TIM McCARVER’S BROADCASTING CAREER HISTORY

Tim McCarver’s notable broadcasting career began as his standout four-decade baseball career concluded. A three-time Emmy Award winner, he established his reputation as a first-guesser, which has always set him apart from other analysts, during a local broadcasting career that spanned 23 seasons and as MLB’s predominant national voice since 1984. His analysis and astute observations have become synonymous with Major League Baseball’s jewel events and most dramatic moments for 30 years. Below is a summary of McCarver’s impressive broadcasting credits:

LOCAL BROADCAST CREDITS

• 23 seasons as a local team analyst:
  • Philadelphia Phillies: (WPHL) 1980 – 1982, 3 seasons
  • New York Mets: (WOR) 1983 – 1998, 16 seasons
  • New York Yankees: (WNYW) 1999 – 2001, 3 seasons
  • San Francisco Giants: (KTVU) 2002, 1 season
• One of only three broadcasters to call local games for the Mets and Yankees

NATIONAL BROADCAST CREDITS

• 30 seasons as a national network MLB analyst
  • NBC: 1980 – Analyst – Game of the Week
  • ABC: 1984 – 1989 (6 seasons) – Analyst & Field Reporter
    • Monday Night Baseball
    • National League Championship Series – 1984, 1986, 1988
    • World Series – 1985, 1987, 1989
    • All-Star Game – 1986, 1988
  • CBS: 1990 – 1993 (4 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • Game of the Week
    • National League Championship Series (1990-1993)
    • World Series (1990-1993)
    • All-Star Game (1990-1993)
  • ABC: (The Baseball Network) 1994 – 1995 (2 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • Baseball Night in America
    • National League Division Series – 1995 (Inaugural Season)
    • National League Championship Series – 1995
    • World Series – 1995
  • FOX: 1996 – through 2012 (17 seasons) – Lead Analyst
  • • FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week – 1996 – 2012
    • World Series – 1996, 1998, 2000-2012
    • American League Championship Series – 2001, 2003 – 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011
    • National League Championship Series – 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012
    • American & National League Division Series 1996-2007
    • All-Star Game – 1997, 1999, 2001 – 2012
• 2012 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
• Only MLB analyst to work for all four major broadcast networks
• Won three straight Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst (2000 – 2002)
• Worked on-air every postseason since 1984 (28 consecutive)
• Called 23 World Series – a record
• Called 20 All-Star Games – a record
• Called Mark McGwire’s record breaking 62nd regular season home run in 1998
• Teamed with Joe Buck, his MLB on FOX play-by-play partner, a record 17 years as the network’s lead national baseball broadcast team
• Co-hosted HBO’s Race For the Pennant in 1978
• Field reporter for the National League Championship Series for ABC Sports in 1984
• Hosts the syndicated sports interview program, The Tim McCarver Show, currently in its 12th season

BROADCAST PARTNERS

Dick Enberg (NBC Sports 1980)
Bob Costas (NBC Sports 1980)
Richie Ashburn (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Harry Kalas (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Andy Musser (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Chris Wheeler (Phillies local WPHL 1980-1982)
Fran Healy (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Ralph Kiner (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Tom McCarthy (Mets local WOR 1997-1998)
Bob Murphy (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Gary Thorne (Mets local WOR 1983-1998)
Don Drysdale (ABC Sports 1984)
Keith Jackson (ABC Sports 1984)
Al Michaels (ABC Sports 1985-1989 & The Baseball Network/ABC Sports 1994 & 1995)
Jim Palmer (ABC Sports 1985-1989 & The Baseball Network/ABC Sports 1994 & 1995)
Jack Buck (CBS Sports 1990-1991)
Sean McDonough (CBS Sports 1992-1993)
Jim Kaat (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Bobby Murcer (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Ken Singleton (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)
Suzyn Waldman (Yankees local WNYW 1999-2001)

FOX SPORTS

Joe Buck (1996-2013)
Bob Brenly (1996-2000)
Kenny Albert (2003-2013)
Thom Brennaman (2003-2013)
Josh Lewin (2003-2012)
Mel Proctor (2003-2005)
Dick Stockton (2003-2013)
Matt Vasgersian (2003-2013)

TIM McCARVER’S MEMORABLE ON-AIR MOMENTS

• Steve Garvey’s game-winning home run off Lee Smith in Game 4 of the 1984 NLCS
• Umpire Don Denkinger’s infamous blown call in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series
• The classic 16-inning sixth game of the 1986 NLCS between the Mets and Astros
• The memorable seven-game World Series in 1987 between the Twins and Cardinals (home team won every game)
• The Dodgers/Mets seven-game NLCS in 1988
• The 1989 Earthquake Series between the A’s and Giants
• The heart-stopping 1991 World Series between the “worst to first” Twins and Braves, considered by many to be the greatest Fall Classic ever (all seven games were won by the home team)
• The base hit by Atlanta’s Francisco Cabrera that scored Sid Breem with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth of the seventh game of the 1992 NLCS
• Joe Carter’s World Series-winning home run off Mitch Williams in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series
• The Yankees return to glory as they came back from an 0-2 deficit to beat the Braves in the 1996 World Series
• Mark McGwire breaking Roger Maris’ single season home run record in 1998
• David Cone’s perfect game for the Yankees on July 18, 1999
• The 2000 Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees
• The post-9/11 World Series in October 2001, a series that saw:
• The Diamondbacks take a 2-0 lead at home
• the Yankees roar back with three wins at Yankee Stadium, all by one run and Games 4 and 5 in extra-innings after needing to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie
• the Diamondbacks win Games 6 and 7 at home
• Arizona’s come-from-behind win in the ninth-inning of game 7 (on-air McCarver noted: “The problem with bringing the infield in against a guy like Rivera is that left-handed hitters tend to get a lot of broken-bat hits to…the shallow part of the outfield,” thus predicting Luis Gonzalez’ game-winning hit)
• The Angels first-ever World Series win the seven-game All-California World Series vs. San Francisco in 2002
• The nail-biting 2003 ALCS between the Yankees and Red Sox that featured Aaron Boone’s walk-off pennant-winning home run in Game 7
• The Red Sox historic comeback from an 0-3 deficit to beat the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS
• The Red Sox sweep the Cardinals in the 2004 World Series
• The White Sox end their 88-year World Championship drought in 2005
• The Giants win the franchise’s first World Championship since 1954, and it’s first-ever in San Francisco in 2010
• The 2011 Rangers/Cardinals World Series including the epic Game 6 where St. Louis come back from deficits in the 9th and 10th innings and David Freese hit the game-winning, 11th inning solo home run to force Game 7
• Giants’ Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs against Tiger’s Justin Verlander in Game 1 of 2012 World Series

Some interesting material there.

Tim McCarver to leave Fox Sports after the 2013 MLB Season

Just announced by Fox, Tim McCarver will leave the network when his contract expires after the World Series in October. McCarver has been the number one analyst on MLB dating back to his days with CBS starting in 1990. He joined Fox in 1996. He started broadcasting with the Philadelphia Phillies back in 1980, then joined the New York Mets forming a formidable team with Ralph Kiner in the early 1980′s.

He joined ABC in 1984 and with Al Michaels and Jim Palmer broadcast three World Series. With CBS, he worked with Jack Buck and then Sean McDonough.

For the 1994 and 1995 seasons, he returned to ABC to be part of the failed Baseball Network experiment.

Since 1996, he’s been teamed with Joe Buck. McCarver will not with Fox beyond this season. Here’s the announcement.

LEGENDARY TIM MCCARVER STEPS DOWN IN OCTOBER

Iconic Career as Lead MLB on FOX Analyst Concludes With Final Pitch of 2013 World Series
Remarkable 55 Years in Baseball as Player and Broadcaster Spans Seven Decades

New York — Tim McCarver, who for three decades has been baseball’s premier television analyst, announced today that he is stepping down from his lead MLB on FOX position upon conclusion of this season’s World Series.

“I’ve informed FOX Sports that I will not seek to extend my contract to broadcast baseball past the 2013 season,” said McCarver. “Although I am neither tired of broadcasting baseball nor have I in any way lost my interest in baseball, with which I have been associated as a player and broadcaster for 55 years, it’s time to cut back. Since 1996, my time with Joe Buck has been filled with some of the most memorable moments in the game’s magnificent history. I am very proud to have been a part of all the things that make this game so special for all of us who follow it day-to-day, week-to-week and year-to-year. Finally, to the gifted men and women at FOX with whom I’ve worked with over the last 17 years, your work has been exemplary and unmatched. You’re the best in the business and it has been a privilege.”

“Tim’s longevity as a lead network analyst is the result of hard work and his commitment to provide the best, honest analysis possible, and his decision to step down came as a surprise to us,” said FOX Sports Co-President and COO Eric Shanks. “On behalf of everyone at FOX Sports and generations of baseball fans, David (Hill), Ed (Goren), Randy (Freer) and I would like to thank Tim for everything he has done for FOX since 1996 and baseball over the last 55 years. We’re just glad we get to enjoy his friendship and savor his expertise one more season.”

McCarver, whose uninterrupted run as a major league player and broadcaster began in 1959, has worked 28 consecutive MLB postseasons on network television dating back to 1984, providing analysis for a record 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games. His voice and spot-on analysis are synonymous with many of baseball’s biggest moments over the last 30 years, earning him wide critical acclaim, three straight Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Sports Event Analyst” (2000-02) and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2012 Ford C. Frick Award for his unparalleled broadcast career. McCarver has teamed with Joe Buck, his MLB on FOX play-by-play partner, a record 17 years as the network’s lead national baseball broadcast team. No baseball broadcasting tandem has called more World Series (15) and All-Star Games (14).

“It was my great fortune to be paired with Tim as a kid back in 1996,” said Buck. “It gave me instant credibility and helped shaped my career. Tim is the best ever to do what he does, the ultimate professional and the best first-guesser in the history of this business. I have always been proud to call him my partner, and I’m prouder still to call him my friend. I will be forever grateful to him for both parts of our relationship, and I’m going to miss him next year.”

A naturally gifted observer and communicator of the game, McCarver is well-known for his uncanny ability to first-guess situations during baseball’s biggest games. Perhaps the best example of his prescience came in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. McCarver, with the bases loaded for the Diamondbacks and the Yankees’ infield playing in, reminded a viewing audience of almost 50 million that closer Mariano Rivera’s cut fastball runs inside to left-handed hitters, often resulting in broken bat hits to the shallow outfield, a danger in this situation. As fate would have it, Luis Gonzalez broke his bat and muscled an inside offering from Rivera over shortstop Derek Jeter’s head, delivering the winning run and Arizona its first and only World Championship.

“Tim McCarver is not only one of the best sports analysts I’ve ever worked with, but more importantly, one of the best I’ve ever heard,” offered News Corp Senior Executive Vice President David Hill, the former Chairman and CEO of FOX Sports Media Group. “McCarver lives up to John Madden’s credo for great sports analysis – the great ones tell you what you’re seeing, but not seeing. The number of times that Tim has said expect this to happen – and it does – is absolutely staggering. In the business it’s known as ‘first-guessing,’ but Tim wasn’t guessing. He just knew what was going to happen and told the viewers. His knowledge and love for the game is going to take a long time to be equaled. He leaves big shoes to fill.”

Former FOX Sports President and Executive Producer Ed Goren, who worked with Tim for 21 years at CBS and FOX, had a similar assessment: “Tim redefined the role of baseball analyst, and in so doing, made first-guessing an art-form. No analyst is more dedicated to providing his audience insight and understanding into the game, and his priority has always been to give his honest opinion based on a career that goes back a remarkable seven decades.”

McCarver has the distinction of being the only MLB analyst to have worked for all four major broadcast networks. He joined FOX Sports in 1996 after a two-year stint as a game analyst for The Baseball Network’s broadcasts on ABC. He returned to ABC in 1994 after four years with CBS Sports, where he also served as lead baseball analyst working the All-Star Game, National League Championship Series and World Series from 1990 to 1993. He teamed with Joe’s father Jack Buck in 1990 and 1991, followed by Sean McDonough in 1992 and 1993. During his first stint as an analyst for ABC’s baseball coverage (1984-89), McCarver covered the 1984, 1986 and 1988 National League Championship Series, the 1985, 1987 and 1989 World Series, and the 1986 and 1988 All-Star Games. His first network assignment came in the early ‘80s, while still playing, on NBC’s Game of the Week.

“Tim McCarver has chronicled the national pastime on our biggest stages, including a record 23 World Series and 20 All-Star Games, for a generation of baseball fans,” offered MLB Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “As an analyst, he has always thought like a manager in the dugout, and in the process he helped redefine what sports fans expected from the broadcast booth. Tim has led a remarkable baseball life since signing with the Cardinals in 1959, and all of us at Major League Baseball look forward to joining our partners at FOX Sports in honoring his Hall of Fame career throughout the 2013 season. On behalf of our 30 clubs, I thank Tim for his important contributions to our game over the past seven decades.”

Locally, McCarver began his broadcasting career at WPHL-TV in Philadelphia, where he worked with late broadcasting legends Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn in 1980. Later, McCarver spent 16 seasons as an analyst for New York Mets broadcasts on WWOR, three seasons working New York Yankees games on FOX-owned WNYW, and one year analyzing San Francisco Giants games on KTVU.

In 1959, McCarver signed with the St. Louis Cardinals out of Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. In addition to 12 seasons with the Cardinals, he spent eight-and-a-half years with the Philadelphia Phillies, half a season with the Montreal Expos, and two seasons with the Boston Red Sox. In 21 big league seasons he hit .271 with 97 homeruns and 645 runs batted in.

One of a handful of four-decade players in major league history (1959-80), McCarver played in two All-Star Games (1966, 1967), three League Championship Series (1976-78) and three World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (1964, 1967 and 1968), winning championships in 1964 and 1967. All three World Series went seven games, with McCarver calling every pitch in all 21 games, hitting .311 with three triples, two homeruns and 11 runs batted in. He was the hottest hitter in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees, leading all regulars with a .478 batting average. His three-run homerun in the tenth inning provided the winning margin in Game 5.

A successful author, McCarver released best-sellers “Diamond Gems” (2008); “Few and Chosen: Defining Cardinal Greatness Across the Eras” (2005); “The Perfect Season” (1999); “Tim McCarver’s Baseball For Brain Surgeons And Other Fans: Understanding and Interpreting the Game So You Can Watch It Like a Pro” (1999) and “Oh Baby, I Love It!” (1987). He contributed the foreword to Alex Belth’s “Stepping Up: The Story of All-Star Curt Flood and His Fight for Baseball Players’ Rights” (2006); Kelly Laduke’s “All Stars: One Team, One Season” (1996) and Lloyd Johnson’s “The Baseball Timeline – A Chronological History of All the Teams, Stars and Seasons in Major League Baseball” (1992).

McCarver’s nationally-syndicated sports interview program, The Tim McCarver Show, is in its 12th season, and airs in all top 50 markets and more than 90% of the U.S.

More on this throughout the day.

A Late Friday Night/Early Saturday Morning Sports Media Notebook

Let’s do a notebook tonight, shall we? If I can’t do linkage and it always seems something gets in the way these days, I might as well do a notebook.

I’ll try to provide as many links and stories as possible here.

• Interesting story from The Big Lead. The daily 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET SportsCenter block on ESPN is going to get a bit of a facelift. Jason McIntyre reports that instead of two shifts of three hours, ESPN will go to three two hour blocks. Kevin Negandhi and Hannah Storm will continue to be the combination to start off the block, but instead of going from 9 a.m.-noon, they’ll be reduced by one hour. Chris McKendry/Jay Crawford and Sage Steele/David Lloyd will be the other two weekday teams. ESPN has not confirmed the report, but The Big Lead’s confidence on this story is quite high.
• Here’s another story from The Big Lead. This upcoming season is the last year in Tim McCarver’s contract with MLB on Fox. Jason McIntyre gets comment from Fox on this.
• Add Cablevision to DirecTV and Verizon Fios to the providers tacking on a surcharge on subscribers who have packages with sports regional networks. In Cablevision’s case, it’s a $2.98 monthly fee that begins in April. Mike Farrell of Multichannel News says the surcharge is for subscribers who have the MSG Networks, SNY and YES RSN’s. This is the providers’ pushback on increasing subscriber fees from RSN’s which come as a result of high media rights for various professional teams. We’ll see if there’s any outcry from subscribers.
• ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd continues to say stupid things about the Midwest, this time about Indiana Pacers fans. This guy really needs to shut up.
• Joe Posnanski has been officially hired by NBC Sports to become its main columnist on its website and be featured on its multiple platforms. Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report wonders if this is the right move for Posnanski who left the fledgling Sports on Earth site after less than a year.
• Speaking of Ed, he speaks with Jim Romenesko about blogging for little to no money, something I’m quite familiar with.
• From David Goetzl of MediaPost comes this analysis of a lawsuit brought forth by Dish Network against ESPN. Very good background on a dispute that has been simmering for quite some time.
• To Sports Video Group where we have an interesting look at how ESPN3 produces a women’s college basketball that will be streamed on its platform.
• A few items from Paulsen at Sports Media Watch. First, NBA All-Star Saturday on TNT hit a three-year low, but still is among the best ratings ever for the event. Despite Danica Patrick, still not a good start for Fox for the Daytona 500 Speedweeks. And Paulsen has some various ratings news and notes.
• Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald has the Arena Football League schedule on CBS Sports Network for the 2013 season. CBSSN takes over the rights after the AFL had been on NFL Network from 2010-2012. CBS will have the Arena Bowl in August.
• Robert Feder at TimeOut Chicago notes that Comcast SportsNet has ended its partnership with the Chicago Tribune and will rebrand its roundtable show as SportsTalk Live.
• Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail reviews the first week of TSN’s new radio format and its new afternoon drive host.
• Could the NFL move the Draft to May into a ratings sweeps period? Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable says it’s entirely possible.
• By the way, this is not necessarily sports media, but it’s related. NBC definitely misses Sunday Night Football. Since the NFL season ended, the Peacock is having a hard time attracting viewers. The network will finish in 5th place in the 18-49 demographic for the February sweeps. Dominic Patten of Deadline notes that NBC will finish below CBS, Fox, ABC and wait for it…. Univision for the first time in its history. It’s not been a good 2013 for NBC thus far.
• This week, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away at the age of 80. He was first in the L.A. market to televise all of his team’s games creating the Prime Ticket regional sports network to air all of the Lakers’ home games and putting the road games on an over the air station. Before his passing, the Lakers went a step further in creating another RSN, Time Warner Cable SportsNet and doing two feeds, one in English and another in Spanish, another innovation. Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star looks at the impact Buss had on sports television.
• Media Life Magazine notes a new study which shows low recall of Super Bowl ads, something the NFL TV partners and its sponsors do not want to hear.
• Jonah Keri at Grantland says MLB has opened up the vault and released some of its old highlights.
• Formula 1′s ratings are down worldwide, a concern for the sport.

I think that’s where I’ll end things for now.

Fox Prepares to Air Every Pitch of the 2012 World Series

Fox Sports is back to air the entire World Series, no matter how far it goes. Fox’s history with the World Series dates back to 1996 and since 2000, the network has aired the Fall Classic consecutively and will continue to do when the new MLB TV contract takes effect in 2014.

As usual, Joe Buck & Tim McCarver will be high above the fields in San Francisco and Detroit calling their 15th World Series together, a record for a network TV announcing team. And for McCarver, it will be his 23rd overall as an analyst dating back to 1985.

Erin Andrews and Ken Rosenthal will be the on-field reporters. Andrews makes her World Series debut for Fox.

And MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds will co-host the World Series pregame and will be joined by Fox’s Eric Karros and Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

In addition, Fox will unveil another camera called “Phantom Cam” which can record action at 20,000 frames a second further slowing down slow motion replay.

Here’s the Fox Sports press release.

FOX SPORTS’ 15^th FALL CLASSIC FEATURES GIANTS & TIGERS IN FIRST WORLD SERIES MEETING

Game 1 Coverage Begins Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 PM ET from AT&T Park
Buck & McCarver Call Record 15^th World Series Together
“FOX PHANTOM CAM” Added to Production Arsenal of 40 Cameras, 42 Mics
American Idol Winner Phillip Phillips Performs National Anthem at Game 1

New York, NY – FOX Sports’ exclusive coverage of 108^th Major League Baseball’s World Series begins Wednesday, Oct. 24 (7:30 PM ET), with Game 1 between the American League Champion Detroit Tigers and the National League Champion San Francisco Giants live from AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Tigers have been waiting to find out who they will face in the World Series since sweeping the New York Yankees last Thursday in Detroit. Justin Verlander, the Tigers’ well-rested ace takes the mound tomorrow night for Detroit while the Giants, just two days after winning NLCS Game 7 against the Cardinals, call on Barry Zito, to duplicate his commanding NLCS Game 5 performance. This marks the first time these two storied baseball franchises have met in a World Series.

Last season’s American Idol winner and singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips performs the National Anthem at Game 1 and the ceremonial first-pitch is delivered by Mario Barajas of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Following the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 1, the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) initiative invites all fans at AT&T Park to stand united and hold placards with the names of loved ones affected by cancer as part of a special in-game tribute to promote the importance of advancing the fight against cancer.

Play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver, MLB on FOX’s Emmy Award-winning broadcast team, call their record 15^th World Series together. Each also sets individual benchmarks in World Series broadcasting with Buck calling the most Fall Classics by a play-by-play announcer with 15 and McCarver adding to his record-setting achievement of 23World Series behind the microphone. Making her World Series debut, Erin Andrews serves as a field reporter for each game alongside MLB on FOX and FOXSports.com senior MLB writer Ken Rosenthal, who works his seventh World Series for FOX. This year marks the network’s 17th straight as the television home for postseason baseball and the 2012 Fall Classic will be FOX’s 13^th consecutive and 15^th  overall.

FOX Sports and MLB Network continue their pregame collaboration into the Fall Classic to bring fans the most complete postseason coverage. Outspoken catcher A.J. Pierzynski joins longtime FOX Sports and MLB Network broadcaster Matt Vasgersian alongside the insightful analysis of FOX Sports’ Eric Karros and MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds. Pregame and postgame coverage for the 2012 World Series on FOX originates on-site from AT&T Park in San Francisco and Comerica Park in Detroit.

During FOX Sports’ coverage of the NLCS, one of the most-talked about elements of the broadcast was FOX’s “X-MO” Camera, capturing up to 3,000 frames per second. For the World Series, the network raises the bar again with the unveiling of “FOX PHANTOM CAM”, capable of capturing up to 20,000 frames per second.

WORLD SERIES PRODUCTION FACTS:

• 40 total cameras set up at AT&T Park and Comerica Park in Detroit
• Three “X-MO” cameras, capturing up to 3,000 frames per second. These “X-MO” cameras are positioned in the middle of both the first and third baselines with the third camera shooting from tight centerfield
• Two “FOX PHANTOM CAM” cameras capable of shooting up to 20,000 frames per second. The “FOX PHANTOM CAM” is the most “hyper” motion cameras ever used to capture a baseball game. These cameras are positioned at low first and third base angles showing the bend of the bat and the compression of the ball as it makes contact.
• Eight Robotic cameras
• 42 microphones spread in the infield
• Several different manned and unmanned FOX parabolic microphones for bat cracks and outfield sound.
• For the first time ever in baseball, FOX Player Pointer, which identifies the base runners in real time with a graphic over their heads on the bases and tracks their movements
• Approximate crew of 150-200 production, technical and support personnel

108TH WORLD SERIES ON FOX BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Schedule Subject to Change/All Times Eastern

Wednesday, Oct. 24 — GAME 1, AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 25 — GAME 2, AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Oct. 27 — GAME 3, Comerica Park, Detroit, MI, 7:30 PM
Sunday, Oct. 28 — GAME 4, Comerica Park, Detroit, MI, 8:00 PM
*Monday, Oct. 29 — GAME 5, Comerica Park, Detroit, MI, 7:30 PM
*Wednesday, Oct. 31 — GAME 6, AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 PM
*Thursday, Nov. 1 — GAME 7, AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA, 7:30 PM

* If necessary

That will do it.

League Championship Series Schedule with Networks & Announcers

With the League Division Series over, it’s time for the League Championship Series which begin on Saturday. TBS airs the American League Championship Series. Fox has the National League Championship Series. ESPN Radio has both series.

Here’s the schedule and announcers for both LCS.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees

Game 1 — Saturday, October 13, Detroit at New York Yankees, 8:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio
Game 2 — Sunday, October 14, Detroit at New York Yankees, 4:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio
Game 3 — Tuesday, October 16, New York Yankees at Detroit, 8:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio
Game 4 — Wednesday, October 17, New York Yankees at Detroit, 8:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio
Game 5 — Thursday, October 18, New York Yankees at Detroit, 4:07 p.m.; TBS/ESPN Radio*
Game 6 — Saturday, October 20, Detroit at New York Yankees, 8:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio*
Game 7 — Sunday, October 21, Detroit at New York Yankees, 8:07 p.m.: TBS/ESPN Radio*

TBS: Play-by-play, Ernie Johnson; Analysts, Ron Darling & John Smoltz; Reporter, Craig Sager
ESPN Radio: Play-by-play, Dan Shulman; Analyst, Orel Hershiser

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants

Game 1 — Sunday, October 14, St. Louis at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio
Game 2 — Monday, October 15, St. Louis at San Francisco, 8:10 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio
Game 3 — Wednesday, October 17, San Francisco at St. Louis, 4:10 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio
Game 4 — Thursday, October 18, San Francisco at St. Louis, 8:10 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio
Game 5 — Friday, October 19, San Francisco at St. Louis, 8:10 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio*
Game 6 — Sunday, October 21, St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:40 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio*
Game 7 — Monday, October 22, St. Louis at San Francisco, 8:10 p.m.: Fox/ESPN Radio*

Fox: Play-by-play, Joe Buck; Analyst, Tim McCarver; Reporters, Erin Andrews & Ken Rosenthal
ESPN Radio: Play-by-play, Jon Sciambi; Analyst, Chris Singleton

*if necessary

Fox Sports Has Exclusive Coverage of the NLCS

Starting on Sunday, Fox Sports airs the National League Championship Series.

Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will be on the case, calling all the action from the booth. Erin Andrews joins the MLB on Fox fray from the college football studios. Ken Rosenthal will also be on the field for Fox.

Fox will continue to utilize MLB Network talent for the studio show. Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds will be on hand. Fox’s Eric Karros will join them and so will Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski who joined Fox’s postseason coverage last season will be back for the NLCS.

We have Fox’s press release for the NLCS.

PIERZYNSKI REJOINS FOX ON POSTSEASON STAGE

Erin Andrews Makes MLB on FOX Postseason Debut During NLCS & World Series Coverage
Buck & McCarver Call 17^th Straight Postseason Together
Coverage Begins with NLCS Game 1 – Sunday, Oct. 14 at 8:00 PM ET

New York, NY – Known around MLB clubhouses as one of the league’s most outspoken and fiery players, Chicago White Sox catcher and World Series winner A.J. Pierzynski rejoins FOX Sports as a pregame and postgame analyst for coverage of the 2012 National League Championship Series and World Series. This year is Pierzynski’s second-straight as an analyst for the network. The announcement was made today by John Entz, Executive Vice President & Executive Producer, FOX Sports Media Group.

In 30 career postseason games, Pierzynski has a .300 batting average with 30 hits, including five doubles and five home runs with 17 RBI and 16 runs scored. In 2012, his 15^th Major League season Pierzynski hit a career-high 27 home runs and matched a career high with 77 runs batted in.

FOX Sports and MLB Network continue their pregame collaboration into October to bring fans the most complete postseason coverage. Pierzynski joins longtime FOX Sports and MLB Network broadcaster Matt Vasgersian alongside the insightful analysis of FOX Sports’ Eric Karros and MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds.  Pregame and postgame coverage for the 2012 NLCS on FOX originates from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art studios in Secaucus, NJ and from the game site for the all World Series games.

Making her MLB on FOX postseason debut, Erin Andrews joins FOX Sports’ coverage beginning with NLCS Game 1 on Sunday, Oct. 14 (8:00 PM ET.)  She serves as a field reporter for each game alongside MLB on FOX and FOXSports.com senior MLB writer Ken Rosenthal. Andrews made her first appearance after joining FOX Sports in July as a reporter for the MLB All-Star Game.  She also worked on ESPN’s Major League Baseball regular season and Division Series broadcasts and while at TBS from 2002 – 04, served as a studio host for the Atlanta Braves.

The Emmy Award–winning MLB on FOX team of play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver call all of the on-field NLCS and World Series action on FOX. Buck, a seven-time Emmy Award winner, and McCarver, the 2012 Ford C. Frick Award recipient from the Baseball Hall of Fame, are working their 17^th straight postseason together. McCarver is the only network baseball analyst to broadcast the last 28 regular seasons and postseasons.

Following is the 2012 NLCS ON FOX schedule:

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Date                                        Game #                       On-Air

Sunday, Oct. 14                      Game #1                     8:00 PM ET
Monday, Oct. 15                     Game #2                     7:30 PM ET
Wednesday, Oct. 17               Game #3                     3:30 PM ET
Thursday, Oct. 18                   Game #4                     7:30 PM ET
Friday, Oct. 19                        Game #5*                   7:30 PM ET
Sunday, Oct. 21                      Game #6*                   4:30 PM ET+
Monday, Oct. 22                     Game #7*                   7:30 PM ET

(* if necessary)

(+ NLCS game #6 moves to 7:00 PM ET if no ALCS game #7)

That will do it.

Bringing You A Few Wednesday Sports Media Thoughts And More…

Let’s do a few sports media thoughts and a couple non-sports thoughts. They’re in bullet form, of course.

• Fox did its usual good job in covering the MLB All-Star Game. The production was spot on. Joe Buck was decent. Ken Rosenthal was good in his role. Fox did not shove Erin Andrews down our throats in her Fox debut as she made just a few appearances. Tim McCarver’s analysis still is lacking and there were times when his statements were head scratchers (“Electric stuff is a new baseball term”). Basing it on the pictures and replays, Fox usually steps up and it did so on Tuesday.

  However, the postgame ceremonies with All-Star Game MVP Melky Cabrera were quite awkward as MLB Commissioner Bud Selig looked confused and wooden like he always does and MLB Nerwork’s Matt Vasgersian wasn’t helpful as Cabrera had difficulty speaking English, yet Matt didn’t try to bail him out. He just let Melky struggle. Bad spot by Matt there.

  While the game was a blowout early and there was most likely a late tune out factor, the All-Star Game’s ratings will probably be on a par with last year’s all-time record low 6.9 rating.

• On Monday night, ESPN carried the Home Run Derby and while ratings for this year’s event were up compared to 2011, one had to think the numbers increased despite Chris Berman’s presence behind the mic.

  While the Derby itself was dull, the highlight of the broadcast was Hall of Fame Kansas City Royals third baseman George Brett bringing barbecue ribs to the set and seeing John Kruk demolish them.

  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Chris Berman’s act is old. ESPN puts him on the U.S. Open and Home Run Derby every year and the complaints about his performance pick up on social media. Every ball that was hit started with either a “WOW!” or an “OH!” How is that a good call? And when Berman tried to get cute with geography by saying one blast was headed to Omaha, Brett chimed in with “Wrong direction,” which made my night.

  Berman is not a play-by man and I wish he was taken off the Home Run Derby.

  The social media bashing of Berman will rise to new heights next month when he handles his first NFL play-by-play assignment.

• The Big Lead reported on Tuesday that ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball voice Dan Shulman could be in demand when his contract expires later this year.

  Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead wrote that Fox and possibly, NBC would be interested in Shulman’s services. Of course, Shulman can call baseball and basketball, both of which he calls very well. If Fox retains baseball, Shulman could easily supplant Joe Buck as lead voice, call the entire season of Fox Saturday Baseball which Buck does not do, and have a role in the MLB Postseason for the network. He could also call college basketball for either Fox’s cable entities, Big Ten Network or Fox Sports Net.

  Should NBC get a piece of the MLB contract, then Shulman again could be the lead voice and also call basketball if NBC gets Big East rights. Of course, NBC could also give Shulman an Olympic sport to call every two years.

  And there’s always the option that Dan could remain with ESPN where he calls the League Championship Series and World Series on Radio and call college basketball with a few NBA games thrown in for good measure.

  Shulman certainly has some options after the final out is recorded at this year’s World Series.

• After failing to come to an agreement, Viacom pulled 17 networks off DirecTV including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, and Spike, among others. No one wins in these disputes. Both sides blame the other. It all comes down to money. Viacom wants more money from DirecTV, but the satellite provider says it doesn’t want to pay it. No matter what, I see a slide in the Viacom Network’s place. This is all unnecessary and avoidable, yet it happens time and time again.
• Is there a better network meteorologist than Ginger Zee of ABC’s Good Morning America and World News? I didn’t think so. She can chase storms for me any time.

And we’re done.

Grinding Out Some Tuesday Links For You

Let’s do some links. Couldn’t get to them yesterday. Time to grind some out today.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says ESPN won’t be an oasis away from political advertising this fall.

Michael also has the ratings on Wimbledon and NASCAR.

Bill King of Sports Business Journal looks at NBC bringing back boxing to network television.

Sports Business Daily Global notes that the Wimbledon men’s final drew well in both the US and the UK.

SBD says the International Olympic Committee is under fire for renewing sponsorship deals with McDonald’s and Coke in the midst of an increasing obesity crisis.

And Eric Fisher of SBD notes that MLB will allow players to Tweet during tonight’s All-Star Game.

Jason Fry of the ESPN Ombudsman’s Poynter Review Project notes that the Alleged Worldwide Leader’s reporting has changed thanks to Twitter.

Alicia Jessop at Forbes writes that Kansas City expects a big financial windfall from the MLB All-Star Game.

Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group looks at Fox’s ever-changing production of tonight’s All-Star Game.

Chris Ariens of TVNewser has a clip of Erin Andrews’ interview with Fox News’ Shepard Smith in Kansas City.

Glenn Davis from SportsGrid notes that one cover of ESPN the Magazine’s Body issue will feature a nekkid Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots.

A rare link to Grantland finds a 15,612 word oral history of WFAN written by Alex French and Howie Kahn. It’s really good, but read it at your own pace and not all at once.

Tim Baysinger at Broadcasting & Cable says the Gentlemen’s Final at Wimbledon drew ESPN’s best tennis ratings ever.

Tim says NBA TV is all over Summer League games in the next two weeks.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News notes that the combined TNT/truTV effort for last Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race brought the highest ratings for the Daytona 400 in four years.

Ann Killion of Adweek says Olympic athletes are trying to get their piece of marketing gold in the midst of companies getting all of the sponsorship money.

Also from Adweek, Anthony Crupi writes that NBC and Turner Sports appear to be fighting for the main cable rights to MLB.

Lifestyle Mirror has a fantastic photo shoot with Fang’s Bites fave Charissa Thompson.

To The Sherman Report where Ed Sherman has Part 1 of a two part series with Fox Sports MLB analyst Tim McCarver. And here’s Part 2.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times is amused that SNY, the home of the Mets, has erected a billboard at the Yankee Stadium subway train stop.

Richard says Jerry Seinfeld, a big baseball fan, will break down the iconic Abbot & Costello comedy skit, “Who’s on First?” on MLB Network.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says a local TV station has hired a new sportscaster.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says WFAN and ESPN Radio NY will split Dial Global Radio’s Olympic coverage later this month.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that new DC NFL Team QB Robert Griffin III was asked on local sports radio if he’s already more popular than the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin.

Dan says DC NFL Team radio analyst Sam Huff has worked so long on the game broadcasts that the network feels he can call his own shots now.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ Tim McCarver.

Tom Jones at the Tampa Bay Times writes that a local TV station has signed to air NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football Bucs-Vikings game.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle says MLB Network airs a documentary on the life and death of former Astros pitcher Darryl Kile.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says ESPNU will re-air four games involving Sooner State schools in its top college football games of the season.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that despite the U.S. Women’s Open being played locally, there wasn’t much interest either on ESPN2 or on NBC.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Fox Sports Florida sideline reporter Laura McKeeman was crowned Miss Florida over the weekend.

SportsRantz also profiles Ms. McKeeman.

Sports Media Watch says last night’s MLB Home Run Derby had a slight ratings decline from last year.

SMW says Fox’s Baseball Night in America ended its 8 week run on a high note thanks to Yanks-Red Sox.

Jonesing For Tuesday Linkage

Ok, maybe you’re not jonesing for the linkage, but at least you can read them at your leisure. Sometimes I think way too long about the title of the post and this is the case today. Anyway, let’s get to the links.

Joel Schectman of the Wall Street Journal reports that NBC and Google are preparing for possible hacking or denial of service attacks of online Olympic streams next month.

Lindsay Rubino at Broadcasting & Cable writes that NBC with U.S. Olympic Trials coverage in Track & Field, Swimming and Gymnastics won primetime on Sunday.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says ESPN and ESPN2 are seeing huge ratings gains from Wimbledon.

Mike writes that NBC Sports Group has expanded its commitment to its Fight Night.

Anthony Crupi at Adweek says Fox Sports has sold out its ad inventory for the MLB All-Star Game.

Crupi says NBC scored with the U.S. Olympic Trials over the last week and a half.

Wayne Friedman of MediaPost says if Sunday is any indication, NBC should do really well with the Olympics later this month.

George Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter notes that BBC’s sports broadcasts of EURO 2012 and Wimbledon are leaving rival ITV in the ratings dust.

Nat Ives from Advertising Age notes that NBC and Sports Illustrated are teaming up for a monthly show.

Sam Marmudi of Marketwatch.com says NBC is getting ready for an Olympic takeover.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! writes that MLB’s antiquated blackout policy is hurting the sport.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com says the media could be allowed to see the college football playoff selection process.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans from the Tampa Bay Times writes that Erin Andrews is another example of ESPN losing another big name star.

Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks about why it’s important for Fox to have Erin Andrews make her debut next week at the MLB All-Star Game.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says ESPN plans to change its production model of the X Games as it expands globally.

Darren Rovell bids farewell to CNBC.

At the ESPN PR Front Row blog, Mike Humes says the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest brings back memories for college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla.

Timothy Burke of Deadspin notes that Texas Rangers TV voice Dave Barnett who had a strange on-air moment last month, will be taking a medical leave for the rest of the season.

Andy Smith of the Providence Journal writes that almost a million people watched the America’s Cup World Series races on NBC over the weekend.

To Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, who looks at the on-going MLB TV rights negotiations. Some interesting news from Richard in the article.

Newsday’s Neil Best discusses MLB All-Star voting with Commissioner Bud Selig and Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Bob’s Blitz has video of some of the WFAN gang with CBS Radio bigwigs ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange last week.

The Albany Times-Union’s Pete Dougherty says the PGA’s AT&T National on CBS set a six year ratings high.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record reports that NESN National is available to local Verizon Fios subscribers.

Ken says NBA TV is gearing up for Summer League games.

Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Bog has ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian predicting good things for the Nationals.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television.

Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel recaps Erin Andrews’ appearance on the Dan Patrick Show today.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Samantha Steele of the Longhorn Network could be the beneficiary of Erin Andrews’ departure from ESPN.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks about Dave Barnett’s decision to take a medical leave from calling the Texas Rangers.

Gregg Tunnicliff of the Flint (MI) Journal talks with a long-time racing commentator.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has MLB Commissioner Bud Selig not having a problem with the sudden surge of fan voting from the Bay Area for the All-Star Game.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Pac-12 Network is set to launch in 40 million homes next month.

Michael Gehiken of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the eased NFL blackout rules probably won’t affect the Chargers this coming season.

Sports Media Watch has some ratings news on the U.S. Olympic Trials and Baseball Night in America.

SMW notes that Wimbledon as an all-cable event is performing on par with last year.

Jason Lisk at The Big Lead is happy to note that ESPN blowhard Skip Bayless is wrong about racial profiling American white players in the NBA Draft.

Matt Yoder has some thoughts on ESPN’s EURO 2012 coverage.

Joe Favorito wonders if brands can make their Olympic sponsorship gambles pay off despite not having a name athlete to cling to.

And we’ll wrap up with Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth who looks back at WFAN’s 25 years in operation.

And we’re done.

Some Leftover Linkage

I need to clear my brower of links I was hoping to get to sometime over the last few days. Since I couldn’t do the Friday megalinks or any Saturday morning linkage, I’ll do some Sunday evening leftover links.

Consider this the Sunday entrée to the beginning of the workweek. I honestly don’t know what that means.

Here’s some linkage for you to chew on.

Brian Lowry of Fox Sports is not a fan of Shaquille O’Neal on TNT.

Mike Farrell of Multichannel News writes that Time Warner Cable is hoping to obtain more sports properties for its new Southern California regional sports network.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel says the first round of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs was the most watched on record.

Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable reports that no talent hack Ryan Seacrest will be haunting NBC Sports as well as NBC News in an all-new, all-encompassing contract with NBCUniversal.

Tim Baysinger at B&C says ESPN’s ratings for the First Round of the NFL Draft were up double digits from the year before.

Sam Laird at Mashable writes that social media is influencing sports in many ways.

To Sean Newell of Deadspin who looks at the strange Twitter meltdown of Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley who went all-sexist on female pilots and one of his co-workers.

Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report writes that former CBS and ABC Sports essayist Jack Whitaker is receiving a long overdue honor from the Sports Emmys on Monday.

Ryan Yoder from Awful Announcing reviews the good and the bad of ESPN’s First Round coverage of the NFL Draft.

Joe Lucia of AA does the same for NFL Network.

Back to Matt from AA, apparently Tim McCarver fancies himself an expert on climate change

From the Tampa Bay Times, Eric Deggans reviews ESPN’s coverage of the NFL Draft for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center.

Jason Dachman from Sports Video Group has ESPN optimistic that its Los Angeles studios will put itself in a unique position to cover the Lakers and Clippers in the NBA Playoffs.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders if Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck can ever match Peyton Manning’s marketability.

Providence’s WJAR-TV and Cox Communications announce a new partnership that will simulcast the NBC affiliate’s local newscasts and also put Cox Sports RI’s programming on a new cable channel.

Amy Chozick and Nick Wingfield of the New York Times explore the growing world of TV mobile and tablet apps which include the soon-to-be released NBC Olympics iPad app.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times profiles actor Peter Scolari who plays three important roles in the Magic/Bird Broadway play.

Breaking a ban of linking to Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News who has an interesting story regarding Yankees voices John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman and whether they’ll be leaving if the team changes flagship radio stations after this season.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick has no hope for our society. Lighten up, Phil. Time to travel to Moldova or Johannesburg. Somewhere you don’t have to watch sports anymore.

Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY says MSG Network’s ratings for Game 7 of the Ottawa Senators-New York Rangers series were the best since the 1994 Stanley Cup-clinching game on the network.

Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that the 76ers are leaving long-time home WIP and switching to ESPN Radio Philadelphia.

Crossing Broad says the Sixers’ move came as a surprise.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner talks with Jim Rome and his new CBS home.

Laura Newberry of the Orlando Sentinel says Golf Channel has become a Central Florida mainstay.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes that the Rockets are not only moving to a new TV home next season, but are currently looking for a new radio flagship station as well.

Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman transcribes Mike Tirico’s call of Kevin Durant’s winning shot for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

The Cincinnati Enquirer says one local cable provider will pick up NFL Network, but it’s not Time Warner.

Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch says the Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley may be headed towards a suspension.

Danny Ecker at Crain’s Chicago Business says the Bulls generated their highest regular season TV ratings since the Michael Jordan years.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says scheduling of playoff games never has the fans in mind.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says ESPN gave the Utah Jazz the benefit of the doubt in its series opener.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says CBC got the job done in choosing its NHL Playoff series for the Conference Semifinal round.

Peter Adler from the Edmonton Journal says the Oilers’ documentary series Oil Change which runs on NHL Network should return for a third season

Howard M. Alperin of Midwest Sports Fans asks why CBSSports.com doesn’t include soccer coverage?

Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy has TSN’s top hockey bloopers of the 2011-12 season.

That’s a lot of leftover linkage. Glad I was able to clear this out before Monday.

Back To Linkage

Been so busy lately that it’s been effecting the blog. Sorry about that. This weekend was planned for me again, so I really couldn’t post too much around the personal events. It also meant I couldn’t watch any of The Masters^® or any baseball. The only things I could watch was The Amazing Race and Mad Men so you could tell what type of weekend it was.

One of these days, I’ll be able to have a normal weekend where I can post what I like.

Anyway, you don’t care about my life or problems, you want links and that’s what I’ll provide.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today looks at CBS’ coverage of The Masters^®.

Mike Foss of USA Today’s Game On has old fossil Fox’s Tim McCarver railing against social networking.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times says journalists can lead the way to change Augusta National’s sexist policies.

Joe Posnanski writes his last column for Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with ESPN NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy who freely admits who he’s supporting in the Stan Van Gundy/Dwight Howard conflict that arose last week.

John Consoli from Broadcasting & Cable writes about Fox handing over a majority of its Saturday primetime hours this year to Fox Sports.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says Fox Sports will fill Saturday primetime with existing properties such as college football, MLB, NASCAR, NFL preseason and UFC.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal explains how Fox Sports came to program a majority of Saturday nights for the network.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News reports that Dish Network has picked up the Univision Sports channel.

Sam Thielman of Adweek says NBC will go all out to measure viewing habits on all platforms during the Summer Olympics.

Nat Ives of Advertising Age reports that the poorly promoted NFL Magazine will be shuttered after four issues.

Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group looks at TBS’ plans for Sunday Afternoon Baseball.

The Big Lead explores ESPN kicking out the Colonial Athletic Association from BracketBusters college basketball event after the conference signed a new contract with NBC Sports Group.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin has a screengrab of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball crew with $78 worth of the new Texas Rangers 2 foot long hot dogs.

Boston Sports Media Watch celebrates 10 years. It’s a great site and Bruce Allen has been very kind to me over the years.

To Phil Mushnick at the New York Post who enjoyed a Tiger-fee Masters.

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette has the NHL Conference Quarterfinal schedule.

Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner looks at the Broadway play on Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

Bob Molinaro at the Virginian-Pilot feels ESPN is being petty by booting the CAA out from BracketBusters.

The Tampa Bay Times’ Tom Jones gives his two cents on the the weekend in sports television.

Jessica Lipscomb and Victoria Macchi of the Naples (FL) Daily News says the host of an Outdoor Channel/ESPN2 fishing show was killed in a plane crash last week.

Dan Caesar at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tells us to get ready for a lot of hockey.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says CBS got the job done at The Masters^®.

Kelly Lyell of The Coloradoan has Colorado State University disappointed about the end of the mtn.

Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says it’s no surprise of the demise of the mtn.

Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes that the fall of the mtn. was just a matter of time.

Dan Hayes of the North County Times says the San Diego Padres ownership picture is becoming much clearer and that should lead for the formal approval of the team’s rights deal with Fox Sports.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star puts a lid on two traditional Original Six NHL rivals who won’t be in the postseason.

Sports Media Watch discusses Fox Sports and the Olympic Trials in primetime plus the end of the mtn. in a news and notes post.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media mostly likes what he sees with NBC Sports Group’s scheduling for the NHL Conference Quarterfinals.

Joe Favorito talks about the latest NHL Playoff beard promotion, continuing activation for the Geico Gekko and promotion for the Family Circle Cup.

And we’re done now.

Tim McCarver Named Baseball HoF Winner For Broadcasting Excellence. Seriously??

This was just released by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Tim McCarver, long-time MLB analyst for Fox Sports was named the 2012 Ford C. Frick winner for Broadcasting Excellence. Now McCarver and “Broadcasting Excellence” hardly go hand-in-hand. To me, the best moments for McCarver and “Broadcasting Excellence” are when he’s off the air.

For some reason, critics have raved about McCarver since he joined the New York Mets announcing team back in the 1980′s. He was originally part of the Philadelphia Phillies radio team but was dropped because the team didn’t think he was anything special. But when he moved to New York, suddenly the media press corps raved about him and he got a job with ABC in 1985 joining Al Michaels and Jim Palmer to form one of the most boring announcing teams of all-time. It was no fault of Al Michaels, but Palmer and McCarver could make an exciting game sound like a wake.

After ABC lost the MLB contract to CBS in 1989, McCarver was teamed with legitimate Broadcasting Hall of Famer Jack Buck from 1990-91 and then Sean McDonough from 1992-93.

McCarver rejoined ABC for the ill-fated Baseball Network from 1994-95, calling three games of the 1995 World Series with Michaels and Palmer.

Then in 1996, McCarver was hired by Fox Sports and with Joe Buck, formed one of the worst announcing teams ever. They have called the World Series in 1996, 1998, and from 2000 until the present.

Throughout his broadcasting career, McCarver has been verbose, dry, humorless and Master of the Obvious. There used to be a very funny “ShutUpTimMcCarver.com” website that compiled some of his worst statements over the years (i.e., “A walk is as good as a home run”), but that is no longer up and running.

Fans all over the country have disliked McCarver’s commentary, but he continues to be overrated by media critics and this award from the Baseball Hall of Fame not only is undeserved, but continues the inexplicable love affair with an analyst who’s time has come not only to leave the booth, but the game entirely.

I give you the press release from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

TIM McCARVER NAMED 2012 FORD C. FRICK AWARD WINNER FOR BROADCASTING EXCELLENCE

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Tim McCarver, who has served as a national analyst on networks for three decades and simultaneously shined as part of broadcast teams with four big league clubs, has been selected as the 2012 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

McCarver becomes the second primary television analyst to win the Frick Award, joining Tony Kubek, who received the honor in 2009. McCarver will be honored as part of Hall of Fame Weekend 2012, July 20-23, in Cooperstown, New York.

“Tim McCarver has been the face and voice of baseball’s biggest moments on national television,” said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. “His wit and intuition, combined with his passion for the game and his down-home style, delivers a trusted insight for viewers. Tim’s journey in reaching baseball broadcasting’s highest honor has connected generations of New York Mets fans as well as audiences across the country for more than 30 years.”

Born Oct. 16, 1941 in Memphis, Tenn., McCarver was a gifted high school athlete who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after graduation in 1959. Scouted by Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey, McCarver debuted in the major leagues the year he signed at the age of 17, and by 1963 was the Cardinals’ starting catcher. The next season, McCarver helped the Cardinals win the World Series title, hitting .478 in St. Louis’ seven-game victory over the Yankees.

McCarver remained with the Cardinals through 1969, earning two All-Star Game selections while finishing second in the National League MVP voting in 1967. That season, McCarver and the Cardinals won the World Series, and the following year St. Louis again won the National League pennant. McCarver was traded to the Phillies following the 1969 season and spent 11 more seasons in the majors with the Red Sox, Expos, Cardinals and Phillies. He retired following the 1980 season.

Almost immediately after his retirement, McCarver began calling Phillies games for WPHL in Philadelphia. He moved on to the Mets in 1983, where he worked at WOR as the team’s primary television analyst through 1998. During this time, McCarver debuted on NBC’s Game of the Week before serving on ABC’s baseball coverage from 1984-89.

When CBS took over the World Series package in 1990, McCarver teamed with Jack Buck – the 1987 Frick Award winner – and later Sean McDonough from 1990-93. He broadcast national games on The Baseball Network from 1994-95, before joining FOX in 1996 when that network took over the World Series rights. Throughout much of that time, McCarver continued to broadcast for teams, including the Yankees (1999-2001) and the Giants (2002). McCarver also covered the 1988 Winter Olympic Games for ABC and served as an anchor for CBS’s coverage of the 1992 Winter Olympic Games. He has won six national Emmy Awards for “Best Sportscaster/Analyst.”

McCarver will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s Awards Presentation on Saturday, July 21 in Cooperstown, along with 2012 J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Bob Elliott, who was announced on Tuesday. Ron Santo, who was elected on Monday by the Golden Era Committee, will be inducted as part of Hall of Fame Ceremonies on July 22, along with any electees who emerge from 2012 Baseball Writers’ Association of America election, to be announced Jan. 9.

McCarver was chosen from a list of 10 finalists selected in October, featuring three fan selections from an online vote and seven broadcasters chosen by a research committee from the Cooperstown-based museum. The final ballot contained a mix of pioneers and current-day broadcasters: Skip Caray, Rene Cardenas, Tom Cheek, Ken Coleman, Jacques Doucet, Bill King, Tim McCarver, Graham McNamee, Eric Nadel and Mike Shannon. Cardenas, Doucet, McCarver, Nadel and Shannon were the living candidates. In September, a total of 37,212 votes were cast in the Museum’s online fan poll for inclusion on the final 10-name ballot, with Shannon, Cheek and Doucet as the top three fan poll selections.

The 20-member electorate, comprised of the 15 living Frick Award recipients and five broadcast historians/columnists, includes Frick honorees Marty Brennaman, Jerry Coleman, Gene Elston, Joe Garagiola, Jaime Jarrin, Milo Hamilton, Tony Kubek, Denny Matthews, Jon Miller, Felo Ramirez, Vin Scully, Lon Simmons, Bob Uecker, 2011 Frick Award winner Dave Van Horne and Bob Wolff, and historians/columnists Bob Costas (NBC), Barry Horn (Dallas Morning News), Stan Isaacs (formerly of NY Newsday), Ted Patterson (historian) and Curt Smith (historian).

The Ford C. Frick Award is voted upon annually and is named in memory of the sportswriter, radio broadcaster, National League president and Baseball commissioner.  The complete list of recipients includes:

FORD C. FRICK AWARD RECIPIENTS

1978	Mel Allen	1989	Harry Caray	2001	Felo Ramirez
	Red Barber	1990	By Saam	2002	Harry Kalas
1979	Bob Elson	1991	Joe Garagiola	2003	Bob Uecker
1980	Russ Hodges	1992	Milo Hamilton	2004	Lon Simmons
1981	Ernie Harwell	1993	Chuck Thompson	2005	Jerry Coleman
1982	Vin Scully	1994	Bob Murphy	2006	Gene Elston
1983	Jack Brickhouse	1995	Bob Wolff	2007	Denny Matthews
1984	Curt Gowdy	1996	Herb Carneal	2008	Dave Niehaus
1985	Buck Canel	1997	Jimmy Dudley	2009	Tony Kubek
1986	Bob Prince	1998	Jaime Jarrin	2010	Jon Miller
1987	Jack Buck	1999	Arch McDonald	2011	Dave Van Horne
1988	Lindsey Nelson	2000	Marty Brennaman	2012	Tim McCarver

Voters were asked to base their selections on the following criteria: longevity; continuity with a club; honors, including national assignments such as the World Series and All-Star Games; and popularity with fans. To be considered, an active or retired broadcaster must have a minimum of 10 years of continuous major league broadcast service with a ball club, network, or a combination of the two.

I have pretty much agreed with most all of the choices, but I vehemently protest this year’s recipient.

Doing A Few Sunday Links

Let’s some linkage on this Sunday.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that the NBA lockout has forced the cancellation of the rest of its November games forcing ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and regional sports networks to fill huge programming holes.

Michael Malone at Multichannel notes that some Hawaiian viewers lost part of Thursday’s Game 6 of the World Series due to a transmission error with Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

Zak Keefer at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center recaps a lecture given to students by ESPN Sr. VP for Print and Digital Media Rob King.

Dan Fogarty from SportsGrid notes that the ESPN Sign Police failed to do their job during yesterday’s College GameDay.

The Dan Patrick Show has some more signs that slipped through the Sign Police that referred to the show’s #occupygameday effort.

Timothy Burke at Deadspin has video of some possibly drunk Steelers fans bombing Albert Breer’s live shot on NFL Network today.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions looks at DirecTV’s FCC complaint over Fox’s ads regarding their carriage dispute which is fast approaching Tuesday’s drop dead date.

And Phil says now DirecTV has been caught lying.

SportsFans.org have a column in the Business Insider Sports Page criticizing the DirecTV/Fox dispute.

Dave Wedge of the Boston Herald interviews former NBA star Chris Herren, the subject of ESPN Films’ latest documentary.

Alexander Soule at the Fairfield County (CT) Business Journal writes about NBC Sports’ move to Stamford, CT.

Martin B. Cassidy of the Stamford (CT) Advocate says NBC Sports coming to town will be beneficial for neighboring businesses.

Stuart Elliot of the New York Times notes that a new scripted series on ESPN Deportes will have many  products woven into the storyline making for a lot of product placement.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with former New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer taking on his second career as a broadcaster.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post gets on Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News reports that the Yankees have signed a new deal to remain on WCBS for another season.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union has late, breaking news from CBS’ Bill Cowher.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner feels the Big East has some options even as other conferences are picking on its bones.

Gary Smits of the Florida Times-Union says golf’s ratings are up across the board this fall.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times speaks with former Florida State QB and current ESPNU analyst Danny Kanell.

David Knox from the Birmingham (AL) News talks with CBS Sports Network analyst Rich Rodriguez.

The Daily Oklahoman reports that the long-time voice of the Oklahoma Sooners, Bob Barry has passed away.

Jim Benson at the Bloomington (IN) Pantagraph feels Lee Corso adds laughs to ESPN’s College GameDay.

Robert Feder at TimeOut Chicago says popular local sportscaster Paula Faris is leaving at the end of the year to become an anchor with ABC News.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Game 7 of the World Series drew big ratings for Fox both nationally and locally.

Dan also has a ratings chart for the entire World Series for this year.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that Lee Corso did a tree dance on College GameDay.

Patrick Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times looks at a new genre of sports movies which includes ESPN’s “Unguarded” that premieres on Tuesday.

Sports Media Watch notes that the ratings for the World Series ended being up from last year.

SMW looks at the World Series Game 7′s ratings from Friday.

Joe Favorito says two events, Pro Bull Riding and the New York City Marathon need to tap into their fanbases who can’t attend live in person.

And we’ll end the linkage there.

3rd Annual Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards

Another baseball season over and it’s time for another edition of the Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards. You can see previous editions here and here.

As usual, we’ll deal with the national TV partners, ESPN, Fox, MLB Network and TBS. This is a listing of the Best and Worst, it’s not a competition, so please, no betting.

We’ll do the Best and finish with the Worst.

The Vin Scully Award For Best Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough, ESPN. Glad to see Sean calling baseball on a national level once again. It seemed after he was let go by NESN after the 2004 season, he was in exile. But this year, ESPN brought him back to call the sport he loves for Monday Night Baseball and we the public were the beneficiaries. If ESPN ever gets the MLB Postseason back, it would behoove the network to give him an assignment. One of the best all-around announcers, Sean did a very good job working on baseball this season.

Honorable mentions: Dan Shulman, ESPN; Brian Anderson, TBS

Best Game Analyst: John Smoltz, MLB Network/TBS. John has fast become the best game analyst in just two seasons on TV. He can pick up trends, predict home runs and know when a pitcher is losing it. I would love to have John work the World Series to replace Tim McCarver (more on him later). Smoltz works well with Matt Vasgersian on MLB Network and worked off Ron Darling during the MLB Postseason on TBS brilliantly. I’d love to see John get more of a national showcase during the regular season.

Honorable Mentions: Ron Darling, TBS; Orel Hershiser, ESPN.

Best Debut: A.J. Pierzynski, Fox. The catcher for the Chicago White Sox got the opportunity to work on TV during the American League Championship Series and World Series for Fox. I was quite impressed with his work and his candor. The man has a future in TV when he retires.

Honorable Mention: Terry Francona, Fox during the ALCS; Jamie Maggio on TBS’ MLB Postseason coverage.

Best Studio Show: MLB Tonight, MLB Network. Let’s face it, MLB Network is the Network of Record for baseball and MLB Tonight is the signature show. Whenever there’s a big moment in baseball, MLB Tonight will cut-in and show it live. The program is produced well, the analysts are always on top of the action and you know that the show will air a highlight or a live cut-in when it’s most needed. The hosts could be better, but with Brian Kenny hired by MLB Network, you’ll probably see him on the anchor desk extensively in 2012.

Honorable Mention: Baseball Tonight, ESPN.

Best Studio Host: Matt Winer, TBS. In his second year on the desk for TBS whether it be for the All-Star Game Selection or during the MLB Postseason, Matt is very smooth. Hired originally by Turner Sports to be the main host on NBA TV, Matt has done work with the NBA on TNT, NCAA Tournament for TBS and was given the main host assignment for MLB on TBS last season. He’s become one of the best studio hosts on sports television and he has learned to distribute the rock to his analysts very well. I’m quite impressed with his work this season.

Honorable Mentions: Karl Ravech, ESPN; Matt Vasgersian, Matt Yallof, MLB Network.

Best Studio Analyst: Harold Reynolds, MLB Network. H.R. wins the award outright after being given the award in a tie with Mitch Williams in 2009. Harold is very comfortable working in the studio and being the main guy on MLB Tonight. He’s quite good. While he won’t go out of his way to criticize, he will come down on a player when it’s necessary. Harold has won Emmy Awards for good reason. He’s the best studio analyst in the sport.

Honorable Mentions: Dennis Eckersley, TBS; Mitch Williams, MLB Network.

Best Game Coverage: MLB on Fox. The World Series proved that the Fox crew does a great job with game production. Using 30 cameras, Fox was right on top of replays, showing the proper angles of controversial calls and not overdoing it on the strike zone never showing it live. We can pick on Fox’s announcing crew, but the production is top-notch every season. My only problem is the crowd cutaways as I’m not a fan of showing fans wringing their hands on every pitch, but that’s me. Overall, Fox gets an A for its production.

Honorable Mention: ESPN.

Most Valuable Network: Fox. Not for a lack of trying, Fox does its best to promote baseball. The ratings in the regular season were down again and the American League Championship Series did not do well, but Fox was finally rewarded with a thrilling World Series and the most watched Fall Classic contest in Game 7 dating back to 2004.

Best Move: MLB Network hiring Brian Kenny and Sam Ryan. I’m not a big fan of Brian Kenny as he can be abrasive, but he loves baseball and is a very good studio host. Sam Ryan is an excellent reporter and I’m looking forward to seeing her extensively on MLB Network next season.

Worst Play-by-Play: Yes, Joe Buck, Fox. He seems to be turning the tide with sports media observers with his plagiarized use of his father’s home run call from the 1991 World Series, but to be honest, I still think it was a bad job by him. There are times when he calls games as if he’s at a wake. While this season, he had to overcome a virus that almost took his voice, it still did not help him improve as an announcer. I feel Buck is regressing, not improving. One more year and Buck can retire this award.

Worst Game Analyst: Tim McCarver, Fox. Whether it be miscounting how many letters there are in the word, “strike” or overanalyzing situations, McCarver is verbose and does not allow a game to breathe. I feel the game has passed Tim by. It’s time for him to go.

Worst Studio Show: Intentional Talk, MLB Network. This show is an abortion. Co-hosted by Chris Rose and Kevin Millar, this show makes no sense. Rose is a bad host. Millar is constantly yelling. Why is this show even on the air? And why did MLB Network allow this to continue during the offsesason? Intentional Talk needs to be put to sleep and immediately. It is one of the worst shows in the history of sports television.

Worst Studio Host: Chris Rose, MLB Network/Fox. How this man hosts for two networks is beyond me. He’s gone from being on the Best Damn Sports Show, Period to somehow hosting MLB on Fox and Intentional Talk. Chris Rose is an enigma. And his postgame questions during the American League Championship Series were mind boggling.

Worst Studio Analyst: Kevin Millar, MLB Network. He has apparently subscribes to the Michael Irvin Style of Broadcasting which means yelling, yelling and more yelling. Why does he have to yell? Why is he yelling? Does Millar yell because he thinks yelling is funny? Does he feel he has to yell to get his point across? After watching him, I need to take 10 Tylenols to get rid of my tension headaches. I love what Millar did with the 2004 Red Sox. I hate him on TV.

Worst Way To End A Career: Dan McLaughlin, Fox Sports Midwest. Dan McLaughlin, the TV voice of the St. Louis Cardinals had some pretty good gigs. Not only was he the main announcer for the Cardinals, he also was calling college basketball games on ESPN. However, after being arrested not once, but twice on DUI charges over a span of 13 months, McLaughlin lost his jobs calling Missouri basketball and Missouri Valley Conference games. His future with Fox Sports Midwest remains in doubt and he wasn’t seen doing the last two weeks of Cardinals games. Here’s hoping Dan gets the help he needs so he can get back on the straight and narrow.

And that will conclude this year’s edition of the MLB TV Awards.

Back With The Friday Megalinks

Due to a crazy schedule for most of this week and then having a medical procedure done yesterday, I have not been able to blog like I’ve wanted to. Links have been scarce, but I’m available to do them now and hopefully, won’t be interrupted.

Your Weekend Viewing Picks have your sports and entertainment programming for Halloween weekend. Let’s get to the links.

National

Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that Tim McCarver has been broadcasting for a very long time and reports that Ron Franklin makes a return to the broadcast booth next week.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter writes that if the NBA loses an entire season, corporate partners Time Warner and Disney would take some hits in the short term, but see moderate profits in the long term.

Philiana Ng of the Reporter says Game 6 of the World Series dominated the primetime ratings on Thursday.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says DirecTV is crying foul to the FCC about Fox’s ad in their carriage dispute over several networks including FX, 19 Fox Sports Net affiliates, Fox Soccer and Speed.

George Winslow of B&C notes that NASCAR.com has developed the first app for Google TV.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says MSG Varsity will stream high school games for co-owned Cablevision subscribers.

Mike says last week’s bidding for US World Cup media rights doesn’t help FIFA’s corrupt reputation.

ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute delves into ESPN’s role in the college sports realignment game.

Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center that baseball’s problems are magnified when a historic moment as in last night’s World Series Game 6 comes so late for East Coast viewers.

Ben Koo from Awful Announcing criticizes MLB.com for its silly policy of not allowing websites like mine to embed certain videos.

Awful Announcing gives praise to Joe Buck for his plagiarized call of David Freese’s walk off home run in last night’s Game 6 World Series.

Deadspin’s AJ Daulerio exchanged e-mails with Buck on his call.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid notes that a Dallas TV station jumped the gun in saying the Texas Rangers won the World Series last night.

Sports Video Group reports that CTV/TSN has won the Canadian rights to the FIFA World Cups from 2015 through 2022.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell explains why we’re suddenly closer to an NBA deal and a complete 82 game season.

Sports Media Watch writes about the World Series Game 6 ratings.

Dave Kohl in the Broadcast Booth looks at the reporting on Dan Wheldon’s death.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe looks at the World Series ratings vs.the NFL this season.

Bill Doyle from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with Fox 25′s Kristine Leahy.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at MLB Network’s latest Bob Costas special with Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

Neil says ESPN2′s SportsNation will do an ode to LIVE with Regis and Kelly on Monday.

Over to the New York Post where Phil Mushnick is again filled with hatred.

Justin Terranova of the Post has 5 questions for Sirius XM MLB Network Radio co-host Jim Duquette.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Fox finally got a ratings payoff for the World Series.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com has the latest on the Baltimore-Washington, DC sports media.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner interviews the host of Bloomberg’s weekly “Sportfolio” program.

South

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder gets the opportunity to talk about his former team twice a week on local sports radio.

Barry Horn at the Dallas Morning News writes that Game 6 of the World Series is now the most watched baseball game in the history of the Metroplex.

David Barron in the Houston Chronicle says the Texans continue to top the local TV ratings.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman notes ESPNU will air a basketball fundraiser for the Joplin, MO tornado victims.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer talks with local website owners who want businesses to help ensure the Bengals won’t be blocked out in the local market.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press writes that viewers are the losers in the DirecTV/Fox carriage dispute.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tells us that Week 7′s Vikings-Packers game was the most watched TV program of last week, topping all network programming.

Bob notes that Milwaukee and surrounding towns are part of a rare TV marketplace where a significant amount of viewers still don’t have cable or satellite.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business notes that classic Bulls games will be aired on Comcast SportsNet during the winter.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Dan Caesar writes that Fox has hit the megaload with a long World Series.

West

John Maffei of the North County Times writes that last week’s brawl with Arizona gave UCLA some TV time, but for the wrong reasons.

Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star says Christmas doesn’t need NBA games.

Jim notes that ESPN took a big hit when it lost the World Cup bidding to Fox.

Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News talks with ESPN’s College GameDay’s Lee Corso.

Tom talks with SoCal broadcaster Steve Physioc.

Tom says people are confused over the battlelines in the DirecTV/Fox carriage dispute.

Tom talks with Dan Patrick about the #occupygameday movement.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail notes that CTV/TSN has wrested the World Cup rights away from CBC.

Let’s Do Some Monday Linkage

Ok, I won’t be in all day on Tuesday, although I will have my iPad and I’ll try to post any breaking news from a conference in Taunton, MA tomorrow. But while I’m in the office now, it’s time for some linkage.

Starting with Sports Business Daily, we learn that Game 4 of the World Series soundly beat Sunday Night Football, but the rating was still the lowest Game 4 overnight ever.

SBD talks with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon about working ten years on “Pardon The Interruption”.

To SBD’s sister publication, Sports Business Journal and John Ourand who looks at NBC Sports’ move to pack up its operations and move to Connecticut.

Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated says Tim McCarver is no longer useful as an analyst. I totally agree.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says a unique four-way trade between three networks allowed CBS to air the November 5th LSU-Alabama game in primetime.

Soccer writer extraordinaire Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated has some thoughts and concerns on Fox’s winning bid for the FIFA World Cups from 2015 through 2022.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that Fox’s and Telemundo’s winning World Cup bids definitely upset the soccer TV apple cart.

Bill Cromwell from Media Life Magazine says Fox’s and Telemundo’s bids show soccer has truly arrived on the big stage in the United States.

Multichannel News looks at MLB Network’s offseason studio show schedule.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball looks at the final ratings for Game 4 of the World Series on Fox.

A couple of media moves.

Congratulations to Timothy Burke, the owner of the 30fps.Mocksession and Gifulmation sites. He becomes the Video/Assignment Editor for Deadspin. Timothy had been with SportsGrid.

And a heartfelt congrats to Kristi Dosh, the Sports Biz Miss, who now becomes ESPN’s Sports Business reporter. Kristi’s site which she founded, the Business of College Sports will be headed up now by Alicia Jessop.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell wonders why Tim Tebow has so many haters.

Keith Thibault from Sports Media Journal feels the Red Sox media coverage during the postseason is a teaching moment for journalism students.

Sheldon Spencer of ESPN’s Front Row PR blog looks at the 200 head gear picks Lee Corso has made on ESPN College GameDay.

The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick wishes he can listen to the World Series on radio.

Newsday’s Neil Best looks at the World Series ratings.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union explores the CBS move of LSU-Alabama into primetime.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says Army-Air Force now gets a network TV timeslot.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner asks if the Big 12 will poach other conferences in order to survive.

Tom Jones in the St. Petersburg Times has a look back at the weekend in sports television.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says World Series Game 4 outrated the Cowboys in the Metroplex on Sunday.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle says the Texans are receiving praise from the national media.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Carson Palmer’s debut for the Raiders did well locally, but not enough to make the KC-Oakland game #1 in the market.

John says HBO’s Boxing After Dark will be in town next month.

Bob Wofley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has Fox’s Jimmy Johnson warning the Packers about a couple of tough games coming up.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch feels ESPN should have given Albert Pujols historic night more play over the Michigan State Hail Mary pass.

Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says Broncos QB Tim Tebow remains under the national media’s microscope.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Times has your sports calendar for this week.

Raju Mudhar from the Toronto Star feels the NHL has a chance to gain some ground on the NBA during the league’s extended lockout.

The Canadian Sports Media Blog has some Monday thoughts.

Sports Media Watch says ratings were flat for the only Chase for the Sprint Cup NASCAR race on network television.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media speaks with ESPN’s John Buccigross.

Bob’s Blitz has the video of ESPN’s Hannah Storm helping out Josina Anderson during a live spot during Sunday’s SportsCenter.

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online has the video of CBS’ Greg Gumbel dissing wrestler Hulk Hogan for his diss of Broncos QB Tim Tebow. Man, Tim Tebow is such a lightning rod.

And that’s where I’ll end it for today.

Putting Together A Few Thursday Links

I’ll give you some linkage. Won’t be able to give you a whole set, but I’ll give you what I can as I have to do the Friday features, Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks, College Football Viewing Picks, NFL Viewing Picks and Weekend Viewing Picks tonight. I won’t be able to blog extensively on Friday as I’ll be away from my computer, but I will have my iPad to post any important press releases and breaking news as necessary.

But for now, this is what we have.

Sports Business Daily notes the lower ratings for Fox for World Series Game 1 on Wednesday, but more importantly, it won the night for the network.

SBD also looks at the media fallout from Bryant Gumbel’s comments on HBO’s Real Sports earlier this week in regards to NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today wonders if the 2011 World Series is on track to become the lowest rated World Series ever.

The Big Lead notes that Fox’s Tim McCarver knew how to spell S-T-R-I-K-E, but didn’t know how many letters there were.

Lindsay Rubino of Broadcasting & Cable notes that Fox won the night in the 18-49 demographic thanks to the World Series.

Phil Swann of TV Predictions says Fox’s HD picture of World Series Game 1 was much improved from the American League Championship Series.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the NHL has signed a rights deal to have all of its games streamed in Scandinavia. This is after ESPN America lost the rights to air NHL games across Europe.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that the NFL is the king of the TV ratings heap.

Dan Shanoff writes a guest column for CNBC’s Darren Rovell about the NFL’s new Venture Capital fund.

The U.S. Open and the United States Tennis Association are looking to add another day to the tournament and ending it on a Monday. CBS is considering the change.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that NBC is putting the infrastructure in place to ensure a smooth brand transition from Versus to NBC Sports Network.

Keith Groller at the Allentown (PA) Morning Call can’t believe Two and a Half Men actually beat the NFL in the ratings thus far.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Fox is concerned about winning the night, not low ratings projections for the World Series.

The Orlando Sentinel has a primer on how fans can watch tonight’s Central Florida-UAB game.

From the Dallas Morning News, Barry Horn writes that local ratings for the World Series were not as good as St. Louis’.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that E:60 did a piece on a local woman whose husband had to work on her after a bicycle accident.

George Hesselberg at the Wisconsin State Journal notes that outgoing MLB Commissioner Bud Selig got a sweetheart deal from the University of Wisconsin to use an office to write his memoirs and so he can also watch MLB Network which is usually not available on campus.

Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Game 1 of the World Series ended too quickly for Fox’s liking.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the US TV bidding for the 2018/’22 World Cups.

Tom has your football schedule for the weekend complete with pictures of his new sweetheart, ESPN’s Jenn Brown.

Sports Media Watch has the final ratings of this year’s League Championship Series.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Versus got low viewership for Colorado-Toronto on Monday.

Steve has some ideas for NHL Overtime on Versus.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has video of Joe Buck apologizing to America before last night’s World Series Game 1. Joe Buck is such as a jerk.

I have to end it there. I keep getting interrupted and I can’t anything done. Back later.

It’s Been Way Too Long Without Linkage

I appreciate you still visiting Fang’s Bites as I’ve been trying to keep the site updated for you. Linkage has been scarce since Sunday. Been busy helping my sister with her son and then I was out for most of the morning.

Time to provide you with some linkage.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says Fox Sports will be using infra-red technology during the World Series.

The Nielsen Wire blog notes the MLB teams that topped their local markets in the TV ratings.

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk looks at Bryant Gumbel’s controversial commentary about NBA Commissioner David Stern.

Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing says while Gumbel’s “plantation overseer” comment is what’s driving controversy, it’s Stern himself who’s stirring the pot.

Robert Littal at Black Sports Online is uncomfortable with Gumbel’s commentary.

Lauren Schutte of the Hollywood Reporter has a look at Stephen Colbert’s mock ad on the NBA lockout.

George Winslow from Broadcasting & Cable says the Big 12 Conference has chosen a company to help develop mobile apps for the iPhone and Android platforms.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that ESPN scored a key demographic win for Monday Night Football.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says low ratings for the MLB League Championship Series isn’t providing much hope for the World Series.

Anthony also looks at the breakdown of talks between the NFL and Time Warner Cable for the NFL Network.

Glenn Davis of SportsGrid says while people are talking about Bryant Gumbel’s comments about NBA Commissioner David Stern, there’s another unflattering analogy about him floating around the internet today.

Joe Gisondi of the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center has some suggestions on how to write a proper lead and how to avoid writing clichés.

Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group says Fox Sports Midwest is trying to set itself apart among the outlets covering this year’s World Series.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the two Lone Star State businessmen behind the Texas Rangers.

To Pro Hockey Talk and Mike Halford who says the Winnipeg Jets are blown away by the local media coverage particularly today in Toronto as compared to when they were the Atlanta Thrashers.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the byes in NFL Week 7 are leaving Fox with scraps.

Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes that Fox’s Joe Buck doesn’t care if you think he’s biased for one team or another.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg notes that former DC NFL Team quarterback Joe Theismann isn’t in favor of John Beck starting this week over train wreck Rex Grossman. This is why Joe was such a bad analyst.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says ESPN on ABC correctly covered Dan Wheldon’s death and subsequent tribute on Sunday.

To the Houston Chronicle where Anna-Megan Raley shows us how Texans tight end Joel Dreessen took down an NFL Network analyst.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says the Fox Sports crew is looking forward to airing its 14th World Series.

Mel notes that college football topped the local ratings.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the local CBS affiliate won’t carry Carson Palmer’s Oakland Raiders debut on Sunday.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has some sports TV notes including the World Series ratings expectations.

Ed also compares the fates and fortunes of the Cubs and Cardinals as the World Series begins tonight.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that both Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are almost back at full strength after separate physical ailments.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Fox won’t be displaying a live strike zone graphic as TBS did during its MLB Postseason coverage.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says like it or not, Don Cherry’s influence on Canadian hockey cannot be measured.

Sports Media Watch notes that CBS finally broke out of its NFL ratings losing streak in Week 5.

SMW says in NFL Week 5, Fox saw a ratings downtick.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that Versus/NBC Sports Network will begin airing Notre Dame hockey games this season.

And that will do it for links today.

Dragging Out The Monday Linkage

Lots of stuff coming out today. Rebranding news galore as we found out that Versus will undergo a name change on January 2, 2012. Then there’s Sporting News Radio changing its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio as of today. And Westwood One Radio has merged with Dial-Global today. Crazy day. Let’s do some linkage and hope nothing else breaks.

First, Mike McCarthy of USA Today broke the news last night of the Versus rebrand.

We have the reason for the rebrand to NBC Sports Network directly from NBC.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has a story on the Versus rebrand.

Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the goal of the Versus rebrand is to gain more access for NBC Sports Network and to raise subscriber fees.

Georg Szalai at the Hollywood Reporter says NBC Sports hopes to provide marketers and affiliates with a better value for the channel.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that the new name for Versus will launch on January 2.

Stuart Levine from Variety says NBC Sports hopes the new name will give the channel better footing in competing against ESPN.

All Access looks at Sporting News Radio becoming Yahoo! Sports Radio as of today.

The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron explores the rebranding of Sporting News Radio.

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer say local SNR affiliates were informed of the new name today.

To other stories now.

ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute wonders if ESPN got too entrenched in its NFL lockout coverage.

Eric Morath of the Wall Street Journal says Fox Sports is protesting an MLB-backed plan to sell media rights for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Overseas, Current’s Keith Olbermann writes in the London (UK) Guardian how News Corp. President Rupert Murdoch hired and fired him from Fox Sports Net.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com says Texas A&M is appealing to the NCAA to use a 17 year old rule to block Texas and the Longhorn Network from airing high school football games.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says a Seattle sports radio host gave former Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard a real parting shot as he heads to Boston in a trade to the Red Sox.

Also at SportsGrid, Timothy Burke has a mashup of horrible Tim McCarver analysis from Saturday.

To Cam Martin of SportsNewser who writes is ESPN is renaming its RISE brand to reflect its true focus.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine notes the return of fans to NFL team websites which bodes well for the regular season.

Richard Lawler from Engadget HD notes that AT&T U-verse suddenly booted ESPN 3D off its lineup last night without any warning.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the NFL fantasy business seems to have recovered from the lockout.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is calling out some sports reporters for being lapdogs.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has his reaction to NBC changing Versus’ name.

Pete also has the MLB Network schedule of games for early August.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette writes NBC/Versus NHL voice Mike Emrick will be honored by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner says football may be back, and so will the stadium hostage game.

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog says former ESPN’er Brett Haber is leaving his local DC gig to spend more time with his family.

Here’s the announcement of Haber’s departure from his local station.

Mark Washburn of the Charlotte (NC) Observer says two local radio stations are swapping their national ESPN and Fox Sports Radio affiliations.

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

In his blog, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle briefly touches upon the Sporting News Radio rebrand and discusses the passing of a legendary Texas play-by-play man.

The Pittsburg (KS) Morning Sun has a story from Jesse Cordova that ESPN will air a high school football game in neighboring Missouri.

The Denver Post’s Dusty Saunders says despite having a losing record last season, the Broncos will be covered aplenty on TV.

In the Salt Lake Tribune, Scott D. Pierce says Utah fans are already screaming about the lack of TV exposure in this year’s Pac-12 football schedule.

Brian T. Smith of the Tribune talks with new Fox Sports college football announcer Craig Bolerjack who comes over from CBS.

Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s sports calendar.

Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News looks at how TV rights and market size come into play for any future Pac-12 expansion.

Jonathan Okanes in the Mercury News says there’s a new FM sports radio station in the Bay Area.

Rachel Bachman of The Oregonian talks with ESPN’s Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews about the 25th anniversary of College GameDay.

Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says sports seems to be getting the reality TV treatment throughout visual mediums.

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN seems to be a retraining ground for coaches.

To The Big Lead and Jason Lisk where he looks at the rather interesting tweets by NFL insiders Peter King and Adam Schefter.

Sports Media Watch learns that Turner Sports’ Marc Fein is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

That’s going to do it. Lots of links today.

It’s A Monday Linkfest

For some reason, I’ve been out of the office a couple of times today and it’s pissing me off. Anyway, I’m back in the office now and barring an unforeseen interruption, I should be able to give you linkage here.

Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has the local MLB TV ratings for the first half of the regular season and notes that the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are in trouble.

This next story from Sports Business Daily is behind the dreaded paywall, but you can still get the gist of it as yesterday’s compelling Brazil-USA game at the Women’s World Cup received a 2.6 overnight rating for ESPN. CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that the rating is better than this year’s NBA Draft!

Eben Novy-Williams of Bloomberg reports that Brazil-USA was the most watched Women’s World Cup Soccer game since the 1999 Final which the USA won over Communist China.

Lacey Rose of the Hollywood Reporter confirms what The Wrap reported over the weekend, that ESPN Classic will pick up the entire Friday Night Lights series.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that the NFL could see as much as a $600 million rights fee for a new 8-game Thursday Night Football package.

Adweek’s Rebecca Cullers has a story on sports apparel outfitter K-Swiss continuing its storyline of utilizing HBO’s Eastbound & Down’s Kenny Powers character in its ad campaign.

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with Fox Sports’ Joe Buck about his vocal cord troubles that have plagued his voice this year.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says cable providers could be crowing this year with some big name boxing pay per view fights.

Jon Lafayette at Broadcasting & Cable writes that Golf Channel has relaunched its website.

My good friends at SportsGrid have just launched a redesign of their excellent sports media website. Dan Fogarty explains.

SportsGrid has brought on Timothy Burke of the Mocksession site which provides vidcaps and videos. He’s been providing videos to the under the byline “SportsGrid Video”, but now can reveal himself publicly as of today. Tim has this funny post of the WGN Cubs announcers exposing their cameramen as pervs.

One more from SportsGrid. A look at how it would cast the movie based on the ESPN tome, “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside The World of ESPN.” The choices are pretty much dead on.

Cam Martin at SportsNewser has video of one of the media cars getting too close to one of the cyclists in the Tour de France and causing a horrific crash.

Also from SportsNewser, Marcus Vanderberg tells us that an estimated one billion people watched last year’s World Cup Final between Spain and the Netherlands. That’s a lot of people.

The London Telegraph has ESPN UK’s English Premier League schedule for the upcoming season.

Chris Fedor from Sports Radio Interviews has a link to Dan Patrick’s interview with reporting bulldog Jim Gray about “The Decision”, one year later.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks about Tiger Woods “special announcement” that he made on Golf Channel, that he’ll be following his agent, Mark Steinberg to a new agency.

Paul Devlin at the New Canaan (CT) Patch talks with CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz.

Newsday’s Neil Best notes that YES cleaned up in the ratings with Saturday’s Rays-Yankees game during which Derek Jeter got his 3,000th career hit.

Neil talks with women’s soccer legend Mia Hamm who’s doing work for espnW and ESPN for the Women’s World Cup about USA-Brazil.

Neil has a review of the HBO doc on Curt Flood that airs Wednesday.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun loves baseball, but can no longer stand watching the Orioles on MASN.

From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg looks at the Nationals’ attendance and TV ratings at the halfway point of the regular season.

Dan has Wizards’ TV analyst Phil Chenier explaining why he shaved off his trademark mustache.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports’ Tim McCarver about calling the MLB All-Star Game for the last 20 years.

In the St. Petersburg Times, Tom Jones lists some of the things in sports and sports TV that he has missed.

The Tampa Tribune notes that Rays outfielder Sam Fuld will be working for ESPN tonight during the MLB Home Run Derby.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers local ratings are amongst the highest in MLB.

Jim Souhan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune gives praise to former Minnesota Twins manager Tom Kelly who pinch-hit for regular Fox Sports North analyst Bert Blyeven last week.

Jeff Korbelik of the Lincoln (NE) Journal Star says former local sports anchor Dari Nowkhah heads over to ESPNU full-time.

The Dickinson (ND) Press picks up a story from Brad Schlossman on the new college hockey superconference talking with Versus about a TV contract.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post reviews the HBO documentary on Curt Flood.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has your SoCal sports calendar.

Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle says Showtime is hoping that “The Franchise” will become a sports franchise for the network.

Cathall Kelly of the Toronto Star is an asshole.

Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says a CFL on TSN analyst gave a compelling interview on his post-concussion syndrome.

Matt Hartley in the Financial Post says NBC will be handling all US ad sales for the NHL.

Wayne Friedman in MediaPost also writes about the NBC Sports Group/NHL ad sales joint venture.

Sports Media Watch has some news and notes on various sports media personalities.

SMW also has some local MLB ratings news.

That’s going to do it for today.

Doing Some Megalinks

Today, I was all over the place going in between two offices, heading to see a client and running through Northern Rhode Island for no good reason. But I’m trying to do some megalinkage after not being able to do them last week so let’s not delay any further. Check out the Weekend Viewing Picks for sports and primetime recommendations.

Now to the linkage.

National

USA Today’s Mike McCarthy says ESPN’s Michelle Beadle has quickly become one of the network’s most popular personalities.

With this being the one year anniversary of the abortion known as “The Decision”, ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute wonders if the network has learned anything after running the program.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes that the new Time Warner Sports regional sports network has made two important hires.

Guest blogging for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Joe Gisondi tells aspiring writers that going for the offbeat can sometimes lead to some of the best stories.

Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes that ESPN continues to use the MLB Home Run Derby as a guinea pig for new innovations.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that a year after “The Decision”, LeBron James still remains a pariah among sports fans.

David Goetzl of MediaPost says ESPN is still dealing with the fallout from “The Decision.”

The Business Insider’s Sports Page provides the best and worst of the first 30 days of Captain Blowhard’s Grantland site.

Sports Media Watch tells us that the ratings for the Women’s World Cup are up significantly from the previous event from four years ago.

SMW also has some ratings news and notes.

Joe Favorito says Victor Martinez may not have been selected for the last American League All-Star Game roster spot, but it wasn’t due to his creative campaigning.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn from the Boston Globe compares and contrasts the Hub’s two regional sports networks, NESN and Comcast SportsNet New England.

At SB Nation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at the fill-ins on local sports radio and he remembers the late Boston Herald columnist and celebrated boxing writer, George Kimball.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram talks with Fox Sports MLB analyst Eric Karros about the All-Star Game.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says the new season of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm broaches some painful baseball memories.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post lectures everyone who thinks the Roger Clemens perjury trial is a waste of time.

Justin Terranova of the Post writes about Bob Costas and Al Michaels calling tonight’s Mets-Giants game on MLB Network and SNY.

At Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com writes about some changes at a Baltimore sports radio station.

I hope this next story goes viral. From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg writes former quarterback Joe Theismann telling a local radio station how he got hoof and mouth disease playing in the CFL. Why does that seem appropriate for Theismann?

Jim Williams talks about Al Michaels and Bob Costas teaming up for MLB Network.

South

Barry Jackson in the Miami Herald has former Hurricane quarterback Gino Torretta calling out Ohio State fans for forcing ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit to move out of his native Columbus.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle discusses the Longhorn Network making some on-air hires.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman notes that Tulsa native Dari Nowkhah will be the main host on ESPNU for the upcoming college sports season.

Mel has his sports media news and notes.

Midwest

Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal looks at “The Decision” one year later and where it leaves native LeBron James.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press has Joe Buck raving about the Detroit Tigers.

In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley has Fox’s Tim McCarver discussing the Brewers’ All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder.

Crain’s Chicago Business’ Ed Sherman has his winners and losers in sports business.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks with Fox’s Tim McCarver who will be at the mic for his record 20th All-Star Game on Tuesday.

West

John Maffei at the North County Times looks at the HBO Curt Flood documentary that airs the night after the All-Star Game.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes about Al Michaels accepting Bob Costas’ invitation to call a game on MLB Network.

In his notebook, Jim writes that the Home Run Derby is watched by the MLB All-Stars as well.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News talks with Fox’s Joe Buck.

Tom has Joe willing to step aside to have Vin Scully call the World Series one more time.

Tom has his news and notes.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says the doctor with a connection to Tiger Woods and pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges raised the ire of ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd.

The Canadian Sports Media blog notes that IndyCar makes two stops this summer in the Great White North and TSN will take Versus’ coverage of both events.

And with that and it being early Saturday morning, I’ll end the megalinks here.

Tim McCarver in Auto-Tune

I have to give props to Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette for bringing this to my attention. He found it at the Fox Sports Facebook page. This is the latest promo for Fox Saturday Baseball involving Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. It involves reaching out to a younger demographic and having Tim McCarver in Auto-Tune. The rest is pretty funny. I thank Lily Rosales at Fox Sports for sending this file to me so I can provide it to you.

This promo has the spirit of the early Fox Sports promos so props go to them for bringing the humor back.

Bringing Out the Wednesday Links

Ok, let’s do the Wednesday linkage. Quite a few things to get to.

We begin with Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal who when we last saw him during the World Series last October, was wearing a bowtie despite his protests to management. Well, we find that Ken will continue wearing a bowtie this season, but rather willingly and for a very good cause.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Hardball Talk applauds Ken for making this true fashion statement.

Now back to Ken, he writes at FoxSports.com that Major League Baseball has to do more to promote its game to a very tech-savvy fandom.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today has a few sports media observations in the Game On! blog.

Also in USA Today’s Game On! Steve Coogan writes that Jennifer Hudson is out from CBS’ One Shining Moment NCAA Tournament final montage.

One more from Game On! Mike McCarthy reviews Charles Barkley’s comments on truTV. It was a joke, people.

I had no idea that the former bassist for Guns ‘N Roses, Jane Addiction and Velvet Revolver, Duff McKagan had his own column at ESPN.com. Well, this is a very touching and well-written column on the late Seattle Mariners voice Dave Niehaus.

ESPN’s corporate blog, Front Row, has now launched and has been churning out pictures since midnight to show “A Day in the Life” at its various offices around the world. I have to say it’s quite fascinating. The pictures will continue to be published until late tonight.

Marisa Guthrie and Lindsay Powers at the Hollywood Reporter discuss ESPN’s Josh Elliot moving to ABC’s Good Morning America replacing the always lovely Juju Chang.

Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable writes about ESPN’s latest pickup for Baseball Tonight.

R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says ESPN Films will air a documentary on Jack Nicklaus’ iconic 1986 win at The Masters^®.

The great Ryan Ballengee of NBC’s Pro Golf Talk says The Masters^® iPad app will stream all four days of live TV golf coverage next week. That is very cool.

Jack Neff of Advertising Age says Vaseline Men will be unveiling an ad campaign for the NFL Draft.

In Mediaweek, Anthony Crupi says ad buyers are looking for alternatives as the NFL lockout goes longer.

Doron Levin at Fortune notes that Cadillac has quietly returned to sponsoring golf tournaments.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell examines whether the Chicago Cubs made the right call for their public address announcer.

Darren looks at the MLB Fan Cave that has two men watching every single regular season and playoff game this year.

And Darren goes inside the numbers of college football.

All Access says a Muncie, IN radio station is dropping ESPN in favor of Fox Sports Radio.

All Access also discusses Trenni Kusnierek joining a Milwaukee radio station full-time.

Richard Huff of the New York Daily News writes about ESPN’s Josh Elliot leaving SportsCenter to move to Good Morning America.

Newsday’s Neil Best takes a look at Yankees and Mets ticket prices on the resale market.

Pete Dougherty from the Albany Times Union looks at former Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer joining ESPN.

Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record has Fox’s Tim McCarver thoughts on the Mets and Yankees.

Conor Orr at the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger says ESPN’s Jay Bilas is a man of many talents.

Neal Zoren of the Delaware County Times notes that Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia is ready to cover the Phillies this season.

Dan Steinberg of the DC Sports Bog at the Washington Post is amused with a new Pimlico Raceway ad that acknowledges the infield debauchery during the Preakness Stakes.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that ESPN will be airing a prestigious high school basketball tournament live from the DC area.

Brandon Marcello of the Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger says Mississippi State University now has the announcers who will replace legendary voice Jack Cristil who retired after the basketball season.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman discusses ESPN shaking up its Sunday Night Baseball announcers and adding a new twist to Baseball Tonight.

Doug Zaleski of the Muncie (IN) Star Press notes that a Ball State-Indiana football matchup could end up on ESPN on Labor Day weekend.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Fox Sports Wisconsin will add some bells and whistles to its Brewers game productions.

Jon Nyatawa of the Omaha (NE) World-Journal says the Kansas City Royals won’t be heard on local radio this season.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post looks at FSN Rocky Mountain changing its name as of Friday.

Lya Wodraska in the Salt Lake Tribune says the University of Utah is open to moving its football games to Sunday in case of an NFL lockout.

Scott D. Pierce of the Tribune looks at FSN Rocky Mountain’s change of name.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times says FX’s plans to carry college football this fall might be part of a larger scheme to increase subscriber fees.

Mike DiGiovanna from the Times says while Fox Sports tested a new overhead camera during last night’s Dodgers-Angels exhibition game, players were concerned that it might be too intrusive.

Mark Hester from The Oregonian notes that ESPN is chock full of spring college football games.

Gretchen Holzang of the Portland Business Journal writes about FSN Northwest’s rebranding on Friday.

To the Toronto Globe and Mail where Bruce Dowbiggin talks with Rogers Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst Greg Zaun.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on Fox hit a ratings low for the first time this season.

The Big Lead critiques CBS/Turner’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

And we’ll end it there today.

Thursday Linkage

Let’s do some linkage for you. Getting off to a slow start today.

David Bauder of the Associated Press writes that the NFL Draft is a hugely popular television event.

Sean Leahy of USA Today’s The Huddle blog says the NFL plans to keep the Draft at three days.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says ESPN resident moron Matt Millen gave some puzzling answers today on SportsCenter regarding a question posed to wide receiver Dez Bryant by Miami GM Jeff Ireland. 

Florio is continuing to chase the Jon Gruden not being on ESPN at the 3rd day of the NFL Draft story.

Alex Dobuzinskis of Reuters has CBS Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves not being very enthused about 3-D TV.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at Lance Armstrong’s latest endorsement. 

Jackie Majerus of the Bristol (CT) Press writes that ESPN was honored by the State of Connecticut.

Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes that a former RPI women’s basketball coach has received a promotion at ESPN.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says the 2nd round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs get going right off the bat. 

Laura Nachman writes that with Flyers voice Jim Jackson busy with the NHL Playoffs, his Phillies pre and postgame role will be filled temporarily while he’s calling games.

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner looks at the new ownership of the Washington Wizards.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times feels there are too many college bowl games. I’ll agree with that.

Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel says ESPN has announced some college bowl schedules for December.

James Pennington of the Kentucky Kernel feels the new ESPN/SEC rights deal has not delivered what it has promised.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News wonders where the Mavs fans are in the stands and watching TV.

David Barron at the Houston Chronicle writes that Sporting News Radio will be moving its operations to Houston.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business says Blackhawk fans get to watch local coverage of the Vancouver-’Hawks series for five games out of a potential seven.

Bob Mayhall of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat says Fox’s Tim McCarver is still talking about the 20 inning marathon game earlier this month between the New York Mets and the Cardinals.

Kevin Haskin of the Topeka Capital-Journal talks with ESPN’s Dick Vitale about the new CBS/Turner contract to air the NCAA Tournament which essentially ends any chance for him to call a Final Four.

Sports Media Watch notes that the Cavaliers and Lakers are drawing ratings for the TNT during the NBA Playoffs.

SMW says the Lakers/Thunder series is garnering good ratings for ESPN as well.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says Game 6 of Blackhawks-Preds outdrew White Sox-Mariners when they were opposite each other last Saturday.

Steve says Universal Sports will air the IIHF World Hockey Championships next month.

In Major League Programs, Dave Kohl looks at one Baltimore sports radio station advertising for a talk show host.

That’s going to do it.

Fox Is Doing Fine … It’s MLB Time

Don’t make me bust out the 1995 NHL on Fox open which has been featured in several Fang’s Bites posts. Anyway, we have the first in a series of posts regarding MLB on Fox. You have three games this Saturday including the New York Yankees and yes, Joe Buck is actually doing one of them. We’ll be counting this season. I believe Joe will do about ten MLB games in 2010. Here’s the Fox breakdown of games this weekend.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Yankees/Rays, Cardinals/Brewers and Mariners/Rangers Lead Off

2010 FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week

MLB ON FOX THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH OF ’10 THIS SATURDAY – The multi Emmy Award-winning FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK returns for its 15^th season on Saturday, April 10 at a special 3:00 PM ET start time with live regional coverage of three exciting matchups. Week one takes FOX Sports to St. Petersburg, FL for an AL East battle. Fresh off securing their 27^th World Championship, Derek Jeter and the Yankees take on Evan Longoria and the Rays. In Milwaukee, the Brewers look to stop the incomparable Albert Pujols and the Cardinals. Also, Ichiro Suzuki and the rising Mariners are in Texas to face Josh Hamilton and the Rangers. Once again in 2010, pregame originates live from one of the regional sites, and this week it’s Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew including Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal as a field reporter.

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.

 

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays – Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, 70% of USA

Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, FL            

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: TBA vs. Wade Davis, RHP (0-0, -.– ERA)

St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers – Dick Stockton & Eric Karros, 18% of USA

Miller Park – Milwaukee, WI

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, St. Louis, Tulsa

Probable Pitchers:  Chris Carpenter, RHP (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Yovani Gallardo, RHP (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers -  Josh Lewin & Mark Grace, 11% of USA

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington – Arlington, TX

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Austin, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Portland, San Antonio, Seattle

Probable Pitchers: Felix Hernandez, RHP (0-0, 4.05) vs. Matt Harrison, LHP (0-0, -.– ERA)

ARE THE BRAVES WORLD SERIES BOUND? SHOULD THE YANKS TRADE JOBA? BUCK & MCCARVER BREAKDOWN 2010 SEASON

During an MLB on FOX season preview press call, play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver looked ahead at some of the stories of the 2010 season. 

BUCK:

PHILLIES – “We’ve been in Philadelphia the last two Octobers.  I don’t see any reason why going into this season we wouldn’t predict the same, at least I would.  I think top to bottom, the way the Phillies are constructed and now with Roy Halladay, they are set up well for a long run in 2010.”

NL CENTRAL – “The Cardinals are the best team in the Central Division but the Cubs seem like they’re pleased with some of the young arms in their bullpen and that to me, is their big question mark going into this season.”

GIANTS - “San Francisco is a team that we’re going to hear a lot from this year. They have good young pitching and their lineup is strong but probably not as dynamic as some of the others.  However, the Giants are a team that I think will jump up and take the NL West.” 

AL EAST – “Both the Red Sox and Yankees improved in the off-season.  The Yankees pitching looks strong with Javier Vazquez back. They put Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen and Phil Hughes in the rotation and that lineup is dangerous.  I love the addition of Curtis Granderson.  The Yanks and Red Sox are the two best teams in the American League and they should be neck and neck all season like we’re accustomed to.”

MCCARVER:

PHILLIES – “Having Halladay as your No. 1 guy is a huge psychological boost for the Phillies.”

BRAVES – “I think the Atlanta Braves could go to the World Series this year, that’s how good I think their starters are.”

RED SOX – “It’s a new look Red Sox team comprised of strong pitching, good defense, less offense and different faces.  Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez and Marco Scutaro at shortstop provide a boost as does a very solid outfield.”

YANKEES – “It will be interesting to see the New York Yankees try to repeat was World Champions with an outfield that certainly is not as strong as other outfields in the major leagues.  However, they may have the best offensive infield in the history of the game.  And yet with all that talent, the Yankees open the season with reliever Joba Chamberlain being the biggest question.  Trading Chamberlain might be the best way that both the Yankees and Chamberlain could be served because right now he is just dithering in no-mans-land.  With all that said, the Yankees are definitely the team to beat going into this year with what few problems they do have.”

MLB ON FOX TEAMS WITH THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION® – FOX Sports Supports, the network on-air charitable initiative, is proud to join forces with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) during the 2010 MLB ON FOX season.  BCRF helps fund the most advanced and promising breast cancer research. In 2009-2010, their grants sustain 173 dedicated researchers at major medical institutions across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.  Please visit www.foxsportssupports.com for more information.

That’s it. I’ll give you a NASCAR on Fox release next.

Friday Megalinkage

Here we are on a Friday. It’s beautiful in the Northeast after the monsoons we’ve experienced and it’s really appreciated today. And it’s nice to see as we steam into Easter Weekend.

Speaking of Easter Weekend, there are plenty of sports to watch including both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four on CBS and ESPN, respectively, the MLB season opener, the last PGA Tour stop before The Masters and the playoff push in both the NBA and NHL. All of the Weekend Viewing Picks including primetime TV for Saturday and Easter Sunday are included.

Now time for your links.

National

Sports Business Daily looks at the increased live video streaming for this year’s Masters.

Mike McCarthy of USA Today says not as many media outlets will air Tiger Woods’ press conference at The Masters on Monday.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Upper Deck is hopeful that people will want to buy Tiger memorabilia. 

Gabriel Sherman in GQ looks at ESPN’s expansion of its local sites which includes today’s launch of ESPN New York.

At Pro Football Talk, Michael David Smith notes that Warren Sapp who was removed from NFL Network’s Super Bowl coverage over battery charges will apparently return to work after he was cleared.

Eye on Sports Media’s Christopher Byrne says the new Apple iPad could be a gamechanger for broadcasters especially if sports teams cooperate.

The great Greg Wyshynski at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy notes that Versus is adding a whole slew of NHL games for the final push for the playoffs.

Jon Friedman of Marketwatch.com feels CBS is secretly rooting for Duke to get to the NCAA Championship game on Monday. 

Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek of BusinessWeek says strong ratings for the NCAA Tournament make CBS the favorite to keep the event when it expands to 96 teams next year.

John Consoli of Mediaweek says ABC affiliates are getting some weekend sports programming after complaints over ESPN hoarding events for itself.

Katy Bachman of Mediaweek writes that the Oakland Raiders have a new flagship radio station.

Jonathan Landreth of the Hollywood Reporter says MLB’s season opener between the Yankees and Red Sox will be aired live in Communist China.

Joe Tetreault at the Biz of Baseball says both NESN and YES will be using the interactive texting service, kgb for trivia segments during Red Sox and Yankees games.

Also from the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown reviews the latest update to the MLB At Bat app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Bailey Stephens at MLB.com speaks with Fox Sports Executive Producer Ed Goren about the network’s 15th year in covering baseball. 

Alex Weprin at Broadcasting & Cable has NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker defending the company’s Olympic online strategy.

Former ESPN MLB analyst Steve Phillips is joining Fanhouse in a similar capacity and talks about his treatment for sex addiction.

Speaking of Fanhouse, Milton Kent says The Masters’ restrictions on ESPN and CBS are almost laughable. 

The Big Lead interviews ESPN’s Michelle Beadle. 

The Sports Media Watch notes that Turner Sports had to issue an apology for Charles Barkley flipping the bird on TNT Thursday night.

Jerod Morris of Midwest Sports Fans is tired of ESPN’s East Coast bias.

Staci D. Kramer at paidContent looks at the changes at ESPN360 coming this Sunday which includes a rebranding. 

East and Mid-Atlantic

From the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Bill Doyle talks with NESN’s Jerry Remy about the upcoming Red Sox season and his battle with cancer.

David Borges in the New Haven (CT) Register profiles CBS/Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times explores the launch of ESPN New York and what that could mean local sports coverage.

The Times has announced it has sold a small portion of the 18% of the Red Sox it currently holds.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman lobbies for Gus Johnson to call the Final Four over Jim Nantz.

In the New York Post, Phil Mushnick opines that Tiger Woods is not the perfect example of a true family man.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the best way to follow Tiger at The Masters might be online.

Alan Sepinwall of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger reviews ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary which airs on ABC on Saturday. 

Laura Nachman notes that a Philadelphia weekend sports anchor is heading to ESPN.

Press Box announces that it will be doing a one hour daily radio show in Baltimore. 

Jim Williams in the Washington Examiner has the winner of the best DC sports radio talk show reader poll.

South

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson talks with Dolphins radio analyst Jim Mandich who has been battling cancer since February.

Sarah Talalay in the South Florida Sun Sentinel writes that fantasy baseball has gotten so big that mediators are now offering their services to settle disputes. Mediators! Real ones too!

Andrea Adelson of the Orlando Sentinel transcribes a portion of former Texas QB Colt McCoy’s interview with Dan Patrick on Friday.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks with Fox Sports MLB analyst Tim McCarver.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle appreciates Johnny Miller’s candor on PGA Tour telecasts.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that new Reds TV play-by-play man Paul Keels is giving up his Bengals exhibition game duties.

Michael Zuidema at the Grand Rapids (MI) Press looks at Fox Sports Detroit’s successful “April in the D” marketing campaign.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previews the National League Central race with Fox Sports’ Tim McCarver.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin writes that the first Minnesota Twins game at the new Target Field headlines a busy sports weekend on TV.

Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Joe Buck is shrugging off the cancellation of his HBO show.

In the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Bob Mayhall looks at Buck’s signing of a new four year deal at Fox. 

West

Over to Scott D. Pierce in the Deseret (UT) News who says it’s about time the mtn. air Mountain West Conference football games in High Definition.

Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the city’s long nightmare over a sports radio contract dispute is finally over.

In the North County Times, John Maffei welcomes Orel Hershiser to ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball booth.

Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star has CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus shooting down sentiments that the network was rooting for Duke to make the Final Four.

And Jim writes that the nation will see Tiger Woods’ first tee shot at The Masters.

John Scheibe of the Los Angeles Times says Monday will be a busy day for sports fans with the NCAA National Championship, MLB Opening Day and Tiger Woods’ Masters press conference.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News discusses the most powerful scene in the latest ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on Loyola Marymount and its former coach, Paul Westhead.

Tom has more on the documentary which also addresses the death of Hank Gathers.

Paul Bauman of the Sacramento Bee speaks with Tennis Channel analyst Corina Morariu about her struggles with leukemia that are chronicled in her new book.

David Steves and Christian Wihtol of the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard says the University of Oregon is investigating a huge payout to outgoing athletic director Mike Belotti who’s leaving the job after 9 months for a job at ESPN.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail talks with new Blue Jays TV voice Buck Martinez about the team’s chances this season.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says a TSN host is planning a summer special to discuss depression.

And that will conclude the megalinks.

A Saturday Thing

Let’s give you some links on this Saturday.

Writing for Indiana University’s National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred says sportswriters can be a tough and fighting lot.

The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir writes the life of the late Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is heading to the Great White Way.

Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News says Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver had a good World Series except for the end.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times writes that a suspended sports radio talk show host has been reinstated to his post.

Sarah Talalay in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says Jet Blue Airlines has snagged its first hockey team and arena sponsorship.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes that in less than one season, Tony Dungy has become a respected analyst on NBC’s Football Night in America.

In the San Antonio Express-News, Jerry Garcia writes about coverage of the last-ever Chili Bowl and the TV networks’ salute to the troops this weekend.

Danny Gallagher of the McKinney (TX) Courier-Gazette writes that Sean Salisbury’s civil lawsuit against Deadspin’s owner, Gawker, now includes the blog’s editor, AJ Daulerio.

For his part, Daulerio has no comment.

Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News reviews the week in blogging.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk gets an explanation from ESPN in a plagiarism incident involving the network’s Boston website.

The Sports Media Watch says the NFL on Fox is leading the pace among the league’s TV ratings.

SMW says the NFL on CBS did well even having games against the Minnesota-Green Bay game.

SMW says Florida is a big draw for CBS’ SEC package.

And SMW notes that college football on ABC was down last week.

SMW tells us that even though NASCAR on ABC’s ratings were down again compared to last year, they still were the highest of the season.

You have some ratings news and notes from SMW.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media is puzzled by the 2011 Final Four logo.

MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann is worried about the health of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Greg Amsinger of MLB Network has some thoughts on the Yankees Victory Parade.

Steve Lepore of Puck the Media says NHL Network is adding another radio show simulcast to its schedule.

Matthew Coller at the Biz of Football writes that Boise State has hired a PR firm to help in its efforts in procuring a BCS bid.

EPL Talk has some of the January changes to the English Premier League US TV schedule.

And that will do it for today. Back tomorrow. Enjoy your Saturday.

The Harmonic Convergence Sunday Links

On this rare day when all four major sports leagues are playing, we have our Sunday links.

David Maril of the Brockton (MA) Enterprise says he’s like to see local announcers on the World Series TV broadcasts just like in the old days.

Bob Raissman from the New York Daily News feels Joe Buck and Tim McCarver weren’t on top of their games last night.

Uh oh. We have two columns from Phil Mushnick of the New York Post which means double the hate today. In his first column, Mushie feels Fox is going to overdose on Brett Favre today.

And Phil isn’t enamored with the Fox production of the World Series.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the college football TV schedule for this week.

Kevin Gorman from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says several factors have contributed to the rise in World Series ratings this year.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that despite their complaints, fans of the DC NFL team still watch the games.

Dan LeBatard of the Miami Herald talks with ESPN’s Bob Griese who’s had a rather bad week.

Brian Van Ochten from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press says Fox is going to be all over Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field today.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes about a Kings program that upgrades two fans from the nosebleed sections at Staples Center to seats at ice level. I like that.

Artie Gigantino from the San Francisco Examiner opines on several sports stories including the Steve Phillips affair.

James Hibberd of the Hollywood Reporter says the debut of FX’s fantasy football-based sitcom, “The League” debuted to rather tepid ratings on Thursday.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that the US TV networks will be prepping their bids for the 2014/2016 Olympics following the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Mike writes that Fox has a big sports day today with two NY-Philly matchups and a Brett Favre sighting thrown in.

The Sports Media Watch says NASCAR hit a season ratings low last week.

SMW has its weekend ratings predictions.

Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media finds a nice picture of the Monday Night Football announcing crew at Charm City Cakes. If you’re a Food Network fan, you’ll know what Charm City Cakes is all about.

Jonathan Berr of the Daily Finance blog looks at STATS, the company that provides sports statistics to the networks and the media.

Joe Favorito looks at the partnership between CRONS apparel and the Big South Conference.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk celebrates 8 years of doing his site.

The Windy City Times notes that the Chicago Cubs ownership group includes a lesbian which makes her the first openly gay person to own a major sports team in the United States.

That’s it from there.

1st Ever Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards

With baseball ending its season with the World Series, it’s time to do the 1st Ever Fang’s Bites MLB TV Awards. This follows the 1st Ever Fang’s Bites Tennis TV Awards, the 1st Annual NHL TV Awards, the College Football TV Awards and the NFL TV Awards. I hope to do a College Basketball TV and Radio Awards down the line as well.

Let’s do this. Some of the choices may be obvious, others may not. Some may surprise you, others may not, but again, remember, this is just the Best and Worst, it’s not a competition, so please, no betting.

Starting with the top:

The Vin Scully Award for Best Play-by-Play: Named after the best play-by-play voice in baseball, bar none, this year’s award goes to Dan Shulman of ESPN and ESPN Radio. He’s no nonsense and really, one of the best multisport announcers as he also calls college basketball and the NBA quite well. Dan doesn’t yell, he doesn’t depend on catchphrases, he just does his job which is welcomed. He really should be ESPN’s number one announcer ahead of Jon Miller who seems to have slipped some this year.

Honorable Mention: Dave O’Brien, ESPN

Best Game Analyst: This is slim pickings as you have Tim McCarver, Joe Morgan, Rick Sutcliffe, Eric Karros and others as candidates. I’m going to choose Orel Hershiser of ESPN out of default. He doesn’t offend me as the other analysts and he does a pretty decent job. With Steve Phillips out of the picture at ESPN, I expect Orel to get more assignments whether on Monday Night or Wednesday Night Baseball on ESPN.

Honorable Mentions: Ron Darling, TBS and Jim Kaat, MLB Network

Best Debut: With the advent of league-owned TV networks such as NFL Network, NBA TV and NHL Network, it was only a matter of time for Major League Baseball to start one of its own and finally on New Year’s Day, MLB Network debuted, although not as smoothly as hoped. But once it got the glitches out of its system, MLB Network made splashes through big hires, coverage of breaking stories, live game coverage, going head-to-head with ESPN, and using its power to pick up live games whenever possible. In just 10 short months, MLB Network has become the Network of Record for Major League Baseball coverage, wresting the title from ESPN. Whether it be its signature show, MLB Tonight or being able to do live cut-ins at a moment’s notice, MLB Network has become a welcome addition to baseball fans.

Best Studio Show: MLB Tonight. The show is able to do live extended cut-ins unlike its ESPN counterpart, Baseball Tonight. There are cases as during a no-hitter when ESPN can cut-in, but those are only in special circumstances. Plus, whether the show is hosted by Victor Rojas or Matt Vasgersian, it moves quite well, although being on the air live for 6 hours can sometimes lead to some unfortunate comments, but for the most part, MLB Tonight has risen to the occasion to become the best studio show.

Honorable Mention: Inside MLB, TBS

Best Studio Host: In the past, it was Karl Ravech of ESPN, but he’s been overtaken by Victor Rojas of MLB Network. Victor is the answer to a nice trivia question. Who was the first person to be seen when MLB Network debuted and that answer is Victor Rojas. The former radio announcer to the Texas Rangers joined MLB Network and made a very good transition to studio host. While Matt Vasgersian and Greg Amsinger do most of the hosting for MLB Tonight, Victor is the best host the network has and should have been given a bigger role for MLB Network’s World Series coverage. And not only is he an excellent host, he’s also one of the funnier people on Twitter so follow him and also read his blog at MLB.com.

Honorable Mention: Karl Ravech, ESPN and Ernie Johnson, TBS

Best Studio Analyst: This is a tie between Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams of MLB Network. HR is a known commodity from his work at ESPN’s Baseball Tonight. But Mitch came over from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and he’s fast becoming a star as a regular on MLB Tonight. HR explains baseball very well and can spot trends. Mitch can give perspective as a pitcher and is very funny. His one liners can break up the studio at a moment’s notice. Both HR and Mitch should be paired together during the 10-midnight hours of MLB Tonight.

Honorable Mention: Al Leiter, MLB Network

Best Game Coverage: Say what you will about its announcing crews, MLB on Fox does a very good job in its production of the games. Director Bill Webb does do a lot of crowd cutaways, but he and producer Pete Macheska do a bang-up job in finding right facts, pictures and replays to cover the stories that pop up during the 9 innings of a game. Very impressed by their work.

Honorable Mention: Sunday Night Baseball, ESPN

Most Valuable Network: Yeah, MLB Network. Yes, ESPN has Sunday and Wednesday Night games. Fox has coverage of the All-Star Game, LCS and World Series. TBS has Sunday afternoon games on the entire LDS, but in just less than a full season, MLB Network has shown it can juggle programming, add games, use the vast MLB historical archive and develop programming that can rival or surpass any of the league-owned channels. Color me impressed with MLB Network.

Best Move: MLB Network hiring Bob Costas away from HBO Sports to do play-by-play of the sport he loves and to host a regular interview show. It was only natural that Costas join MLB Network. I remember asking an MLB spokesman last year if the network was going to hire Costas and telling him it would be a natural fit. Sure enough, Costas came on board in February this year and made an immediate impact on the Alex Rodriguez steroids story. Hopefully, Bob will call more than just five or six games for MLB Network next season.

Honorable Mention: Fox hires Ozzie Guillen for the World Series

Worst Play-by-Play: Earlier this week during the Sports Media Weekly podcast, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner gave praise to Chip Caray of TBS for his work during the MLB Postseason. From what I can tell, Jim is the only sports media writer to give Chip some love. I cannot. While I won’t take shots like some others have, I found Chip to be very annoying. His constant “FISTED” references plus miscalling plays early in the postseason led fans to go nuclear on Twitter and Facebook. Chip has done good work for the Cubs and the Braves, but he’s not worthy of being a number one announcer and shouldering the responsibility of leading a major broadcast. I hope TBS reconsiders and uses another announcer for next year. His work gave some fans a new appreciation for Joe Buck.

Worst Game Analyst: In a sport that has so many candidates, there’s only one who “wins” this award hands down. And it goes to Joe Morgan of ESPN. Morgan is dry, humorless, unwilling to see any team better than the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, no manager better than Sparky Anderson, no middle infielder better than him and adds nothing to the game. In an effort to spice up the Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts, ESPN brought in Steve Phillips to add another voice. It really didn’t work as Morgan continued to bore people at home. Why ESPN chose him to be its number 1 analyst and continues to use him in this capacity is beyond me. One of the worst analysts in sports television, period.

Dishonorable Mention: Rick Sutcliffe, ESPN and Tim McCarver, ESPN

Worst Game Coverage: World Baseball Classic, MLB Network. During March, MLB Network relied on the world feed for the games it was airing from Puerto Rico and Mexico. It resulted in pictures never matching what the announcers were saying and there were times when complete plays were missed. Replays were often the same angle that we had just seen on TV and some of the production was disjointed. For what was supposed to be a showcase for baseball on the world stage, viewers deserved better.

Dishonorable Mention: None

Worst Studio Host: Greg Amsinger, MLB Network. When I read he was hired, I thought it was would be as a backup to Matt Vasgersian and Victor Rojas, but for some reason, the former CBS College Sports host was given a prominent role during World Series coverage. He really doesn’t deserve it. Greg sounds like he smokes 60 packs of cigarettes a day. He raises his voice unnecessarily and he tries too hard to be funny. Leave the humor at home. I ask MLB Network to put Greg on its Quick Pitch show instead of MLB Tonight.

Dishonorable Mention: Chris Rose, Fox Sports

Worst Studio Analyst: Orestes Destrade, ESPN. What is that? Seriously. Why is he even on my TV?

Worst Way to End a Career: I don’t need to rehash the Steve Phillips affair. You all know what happened. But I have a feeling we won’t be seeing the end of Steve.

Worst Disappearing Act: TBS Hot Corner. I can go ad nauseum on how much I enjoyed TBS’ online coverage of the MLB Postseason when it began in 2007, but Hot Corner has gone from online studio show in 2007 to in-game reports last year, to virtually nothing this year. While we can see alternate angles, I wish TBS would go back to the online studio show it shared with MLB.com two years ago. And I would love to go back and forth with Beau Estes of Turner Sports once again. Please TBS, bring back the online show and a Friend of Fang’s Bites, Heather Catlin.

That concludes our first ever MLB TV Awards. We’ll back same time, next year with the 2nd Annual Awards.