Ok, time for the megalinks. I’ve been procrastinating so these are very late, but better late than never.
As usual, we go over the Weekend Viewing Picks.
The 4th of July weekend is perfect for Breakfast at Wimbledon and we know that an American will will win the Ladies Final on Saturday, either Venus or Serena Williams. On Sunday, Andy Roddick, an upset winner over Scotsman Andy Murray on Friday will try to foil Roger Federer’s attempt to break Pete Sampras’ record of total Grand Slam titles. NBC carries both matches at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Baseball storms towards the All-Star Game in St. Louis a week from this coming Tuesday and there are plenty of games on national television, starting with regional coverage on Fox. The list of games along with announcing assignments and regional splits in the case of Fox are all in the “Baseball for Your Holiday Weekend” post.
Another event in Europe begins on Saturday and that’s the month-long Tour de France. It starts in Monaco this year and ends in Paris as usual. This year’s edition has higher interest for Americans as Lance Armstrong returns to the event that he has won 7 consecutive times from 1999 through 2005. Versus starts its extensive coverage Saturday morning at 9:30 and will have “enhanced coverage” in primetime.
NASCAR heads back to Daytona for its traditional 4th of July race. This year’s race is called the Coca Zero 400 and TNT carries it Saturday night at 8.
The PGA Tour is in Maryland and the Congressional Country Club for the Tiger Woods-hosted AT&T National. Golf Channel and CBS team up for 3rd and final round coverage throughout the weekend.
Other programming of note, NFL Network begins an America’s Game marathon, its excellent documentary series on Super Bowl winners. All 42 documentaries to date will be aired beginning Saturday morning at 6 and running all the way to Monday morning at 6.
The entire Weekend Viewing Picks can be seen here.
Now the links:
National
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Versus is along for the ride as Lance Armstrong returns to the Tour de France on Saturday.
Mike says Univision’s family of networks and Fox Soccer Channel will cover the Gold Cup throughout the weekend.
Joe Favorito writes that two indoor soccer leagues only stood to hurt the franchises.
Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball writes that for the most part, fans are forgiving of Manny Ramirez.
UPDATE, 8:15 a.m.: I fell asleep with the computer on, which is never a good thing. Time to resume. I’ll also add Saturday links here as well.
The Sports Media Watch says it appears the All England Lawn and Tennis Club preferred having attractive women on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
The great College Sports on TV site is putting together the viewing guides for the entire college football season and you can check it out here.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Over to Richard Sandomir of the New York Times who writes that NBC had its own ideas for the Andy Roddick-Andy Murray match at Wimbledon despite it being in progress when the network hit the air.
Richard talks about a new website that keeps track of an athlete’s Tweets so you don’t have to.
The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman takes the opportunity to bash Mets manager Jerry Manuel.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union talks to a local sports radio program director who’s happy to have stayed in the area after he lost his TV gig.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette is one of an increasing amount of writers who feel that ESPN may not be all that good for the NHL. I agree.
Laura Nachman provides two possible replacements for the late sports anchor Gary Papa.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says NBC did not do itself any favors by delaying yesterday’s Andy Roddick-Andy Murray match at Wimbledon.
Jim talks with Versus’ Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin about the Tour de France.
South
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson says sports radio WQAM is looking at Sid Rosenberg to fill a high profile time slot.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says two more local sports anchors have lost their jobs.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News says the Cowboys’ Marion Barber might be media shy, but a segment on ESPN will show that he has a big heart.
Barry says Breakfast at Wimbledon remains one of the best traditions on TV.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman says NBC is ready to serve another double dose of Breakfast at Wimbledon. Mel writes that ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd comes to TV for a new show. Mel has his media notebook.
Midwest
Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Fox Sports ramps up for Mannywood.
Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin writes that we’ve grown into Breakfast at Wimbledon over the last 30 years.
West
Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) News feels sports anchors should not be openly rooting for local teams.
Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes about Fox Sports
putting the national spotlight on Manny Ramirez’s return from his steroids suspension.
John Maffei of the North County Times says baseball isn’t your only sports viewing option on this holiday weekend.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star writes about 30 years of Breakfast at Wimbledon. Jim says the networks are pulling out all the stops for Manny Ramirez’s return.
Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times has Fox Sports Prime Ticket’s Steve Lyons talking about Manny. Diane writes that Vin Scully did not give Manny a free pass. Diane says Vin was matter-of-fact when Manny went 0 for 3 last night.
From the Los Angeles Daily News, Tom Hoffarth says the media is all about Manny this weekend. Tom has more on this in his blog. Tom says tennis fans have a legitimate gripe against NBC for its mishandling of Wimbledon this week (including a link to Fang’s Bites, thank you, Tom). Tom also looks at the week in blogging.
That’s it. I won’t be around for the rest of the day, but I will be back on Sunday. Enjoy your holiday.
