You see the title correctly. Not singular, but plural. TBS will use three men to replace Chip Caray who took a lot of criticism for his work during last year’s MLB Postseason. This season, TBS will utilize Ernie Johnson, Jr., who hosted the TBS studio last season, Brian Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers and Dick Stockton. Here is the announcement along with the early season schedule for TBS and a new addition to the analyst roster.
Turner Sports Announces Broadcast Teamsfor 2010 MLB Regular Season Schedule on TBSErnie Johnson, Brian Anderson and Dick StocktonTo Handle Play-by-Play for Sunday MLB on TBSCy Young Award Winner John Smoltz Joins TBS Lineup as AnalystTBS, exclusive home of the 2010 Major League Baseball League Division Series (LDS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS), announced today broadcast teams for the network’s 2010 regular season Sunday MLB on TBS schedule. A rotation of play-by-play announcers will call the action, including Emmy winner Ernie Johnson, Dick Stockton and Brian Anderson. The network’s play-by-play announcers will be paired with Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz, who is joining the Turner Sports family this season, along with returning TBS analysts Ron Darling and Buck Martinez. Additionally, Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley and David Wells, three-time All-Star and owner of a perfect game, will provide color commentary for a select number of live game broadcasts as part of Sunday MLB on TBS, in addition to their studio work during the network’s exclusive coverage of the LDS and ALCS.“Our announcers and analysts have extensive experience covering Major League Baseball action. That background, as well as their insights into the game, will enhance our coverage as a whole,” said David Levy, president of ad sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “The caliber of on-air talent for our national game-of-the-week package will ensure fans enjoy informative, entertaining telecasts throughout our regular and Postseason schedule.”Johnson’s transition to the baseball broadcast booth is a return to his roots. The versatile, two-time Emmy winner called a number of MLB games alongside his father Ernie Johnson, Sr. on Turner-owned SportSouth from 1993-1996, as well as occasionally providing play-by-play for Atlanta Braves telecasts on TBS in recent years. Johnson will also call up to 30 Braves games this season on Turner-owned Peachtree TV in Atlanta. Johnson is the longtime host of TNT’s Emmy-winning NBA on TNT studio team. Additionally, Johnson also serves as lead voice for TNT’s golf coverage, which includes 12 years as Tuner’s lead announcer for the PGA Championships and six years for the network’s coverage of The British Open.
Smoltz, who captured the Cy Young Award in 1996, will serve as a TBS analyst for the regular season, as well as the network’s coverage of the MLB Playoffs. Additionally, Smoltz will serve as an analyst for Braves games this season on Peachtree TV, alongside Johnson and 18-year Turner veteran Joe Simpson. Smoltz is no stranger to Turner Sports. The former eight-time All-Star was an in-studio guest analyst during the 2007 MLB Postseason on TBS and served as an analyst during the network’s coverage of the 2008 LDS. Previously, he served as an analyst for games on Peachtree TV while rehabbing an injury during the 2008 season.“Joining Turner Sports’ Major League Baseball coverage is a great opportunity for me to stay immersed in the game that I love and I’m really looking forward to this experience. Having worked with TBS and Peachtree TV before, I am thrilled about the start of the 2010 season,” said Smoltz.Stockton, entering his 35th season calling MLB action during his illustrious career, has broadcast MLB Postseason games on TBS the past three seasons and has called NBA games on TNT for more than 10 years. Anderson has worked with TBS sinc
e the 2008 Postseason and has been the play-by-play voice of the Milwaukee Brewers since 2007.TBS will also exclusively televise the 2010 MLB All-Star Selection Show on Sunday, July 4. Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. will join Johnson, Eckersley and Wells as part of the All-Star Selection Show studio team, as well as during the network’s coverage of the LDS and ALCS.Sunday MLB on TBS leads off its regular season coverage Sunday, April 11, with Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees taking on Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:30 p.m. (ET). Other teams appearing multiple times include the Boston Red Sox (April 18 and May 23), the Chicago Cubs (April 25 and May 30) and the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies (May 9 and May 23). The network will announce future games on its schedule coinciding with its selection windows. The games included in the Sunday MLB on TBS package will be blacked out in each team’s home television territory.2010 Sunday MLB on TBS Schedule
I’ve heard Ernie’s work when he was with the Braves and also during the Pan American Games in the early 1990’s. He did pretty well, but we’ll see if he has any rust during the season. Overall, Ernie is one of the best studio hosts in the business. I do think he’ll do well on play-by-play.
