I hate being out of the office for half of the day because I always feel behind the 8 ball when I get into the office after lunch time. Plus, the day did not start well when I was heading to a gas station, I realized I had forgotten my wallet. The only problem I was 36 miles from my house. So, I had to drive all the way back to my house and grab since my license was inside as well. Not good.
Then I drove into Boston where traffic is a nightmare to begin with and the whole ordeal set me back an hour. But I’m here and I’m blogging for you so let’s get to the links.
Starting with Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times who writes that Hall of Fame Dodgers voice Vin Scully has now set a timetable for his retirement.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says ESPN will try to bring some juice to its overblown X Games with a road rally.
Beau Dure of USA Today writes in his Netminder blog that former ESPN soccer analyst Eric Wynalda is joining Fox Soccer Channel’s Fox Footall Fone-in replacing the controversial Steven Cohen.
Eric Fisher in today’s edition of the Sports Business Daily writes about CBSSports.com’s plans to embed reporters with every NFL team to file Twitter-esque reports.
Staci D. Kramer of paidContent. org talks about CBSSports.com’s NFL coverage.
Also from SBD, there’s a story in which the Cincinnati Bengals are hoping HBO’s Hard Knocks will show a different side of the team.
Austin Karp of SBD says Versus’ viewership for this year’s Tour de France jumped by almost 100% from the previous year.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell has some sponsor suggestions for Michael Vick.
Darren talks with a representative from Speedo, the manufacturer of the infamous LZR swimsuit that’s been banned by FINA.
Darren wonders if sponsors will get good value adorning their logos on practice jerseys and not the real ones.
Dale Vincent of the Manchester (NH) Union Leader reports that sports writer Kevin Provencher was arrested Wednesday on prostitution-related charges. Thanks to Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch for the link.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at the strange relationship between SNY, the Mets and the Daily News.
Newsday’s Neil Best has some of the results of the old Yankee Stadium memorabilia auction.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says the former voice of the Albany River Rats has found another announcing job in the American Hockey League for next season.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times writes about Geico’s raising its brand awareness through sporting event sponsorships.
Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says AJC colleague Tony Barnhart will be hosting a weekly primetime show for CBS College Sports during college football season.
Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable has more details about the show.
Also out of Atlanta, Fang’s Bites fave Heather Catlin has joined WSB-TV as an online correspondent.
Bryan Brasher of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that MLB Network will air the National Youth Baseball Championships next month.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News asks the Cowboys to list the winner of 4th and Long on its roster.
Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star says the SEC Network is invading Big 12 territory.
The Chicago Tribune’s great Olympics beat writer Philip Hersh says the US Olympic Committee never should have announced its plans for a channel.
Percy Allen of the Seattle Times says former Sonics voice Kevin Calabro is learning the nuances of calling the MLS’ Sounders.
Percy has been profiling Seattle TV and radio announcers all week so let’s catch up with his previous stories.
Here’s his story on Hall of Fame Mariners announcer Dave Niehaus.
This is Percy’s profile of Seahawks voice and news anchor Steve Raible.
Percy writes about University of Washington sports play-by-play man Bob Rondeau.
And Percy has a story on legendary 80 year old Washington State voice Bob Robertson.
Each profile has video on each playcaller plus their best calls over the years so the stories are really fascinating reads. For someone who’s been fascinated with play-by-play announcers, it was a joy for me to read and listen.
Mark Sweeney of the Guardian in the UK writes that ESPN has struck a deal with Virgin Media to offer English Premier League games for free for the first month of coverage.
The Associated Press reports that ESPN has gained the rights to show MLS games in the UK.
Pink Hat Hell gets on Boston Globe racist Tony Massarotti for his stupid comments about Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka not once, but twice.
Ray Frager of the Sports Media Journal says it’s not uncommon for a reporter to inquire about a front office job with a team.
The Sports Media Journal has the weekend ratings.
SMW says despite heavy promotion, the Brickyard 400 continued the downward trend for NASCAR’s TV ratings.
And the SMW says it appears ABC is going to air the Lakers-Cavs on Christmas Day.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media has part 1 of a very fascinating interview with Pittsburgh Penguins voice Mike “You can scratch my back with a hacksaw” Lange.
Joe Favorito says Americans love a real comeback story.
Kristine Leahy has today’s edition of The Five at WEEI.com.
We’re done. Look for an interview with Seattle Mariners and Westwood One Radio NFL and college basketball voice Dave Sims in the next few hours.
