This being reported by Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead. Fox has decided to team Harold Reynolds and Sports Illustrated baseball insider Tom Verducci with lead MLB announcer Joe Buck for the 2014 season. Reynolds and Verducci would replace Tim McCarver who left after last season.
It’s an intriguing choice. Reynolds has been the main studio analyst for MLB Network since it launched back in 2009. Verducci has had a meteoric rise on TV working on MLB Network, TBS as well Fox. His last TV work was in TBS’ studio working with Keith Olbermann during the 2013 postseason.
For Reynolds, it’s a bit of redemption. He was unceremoniously dropped from ESPN in 2006 after being accused of sexual harassment. Reynolds sued ESPN for wrongful termination and later settled out of court. He struggled to make it back on television working on SNY and TBS before getting the MLB Network gig.
One common criticism of Reynolds is that he will go out of his way to defend errors and mental mistakes. During the postseason, H.R. seemed to bend over backwards to apologize for errors. And there are times when he makes observations that make no sense whatsoever. In addition, his refusal to accept sabermetrics has made him appear stubborn and out-of-touch with the game.
However, Reynolds’ analysis is well-liked among Fox executives which is why he was a leading candidate to replace McCarver.
As for Verducci, he has worked in the booth on MLB Network and TBS. And he has worked with Reynolds on MLB Tonight making Fox comfortable in teaming them together on games.
A Fox Sports spokesman did not offer a comment when asked to respond to The Big Lead report.
Of course, Buck, Reynolds and Verducci would call all of Fox’s MLB jewels including the All-Star Game, Division Series, League Championship Series and World Series.
An announcement could come as early as next week.
