Sports Media Weekly No. 172- Chad Finn, The Boston Globe & Ian Eagle, CBS Sports

The weather is beginning to turn cooler nationwide but we try to turn up the heat here on Sports Media Weekly (SMW)

Joining Ken Fang of Fang’s Bites and me for the news segment this week is Boston Globe sports media columnist Chad Finn.

We begin the show with what has been the most-talked about story over the last week, the developing saga of Dolphins’ offensive lineman Richie Incognito and his alleged bullying of teammate Jonathan Martin.  We look back at how the NFL’s network partners covered the story and the exclusive interview with Incognito by Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.

We bring it back to Boston and get Chad’s take on how the Boston sports media handled covering the Red Sox this season under John Farrell compared to 2012 with Bobby Valentine.

We wrap the segment looking at the continued success for ESPN during its college basketball marathon, which aired over the last two days.  It’s an opportunity for ESPN to capitalize on promoting college basketball during a slow period between the end of baseball season and the end of the college and pro football seasons.

Our second guest this week is SMW fave Ian Eagle of CBS Sports, among other media entities.  Ken talks with Ian about his frenetic announcing schedule, his relationship with NBA broadcast partner Mike Fratello, his broadcasting idols, and his knowledge of 1980’s sitcoms.

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Sports Media Weekly No. 166- Neil Best, Newsday & Don Orsillo, NESN

This week’s Sports Media Weekly  program features guests from the Northeast.

Joining Ken Fang of Fangs Bites and me for our news segment this week is Neil Best of Newsday.

We begin the show by previewing the coverage of Major League Baseball’s post season.  We all agree that even though many of the announcing assignments are unchanged this year, the one game wild card playoff aspect of the post season does bring with it an added level of excitement.

We switch to the NFL and CBS’s announcement that NFL Today analysts Boomer Esiason, Bill Cowher, and Shannon Sharpe will move from the studio to the booth for one week during next Sunday’s action.  If it were another sport other than the NFL then these moves may have more significance than they do.

We next ask Neil to bring us up to date with the state of sports coverage in New York, now that the Yankees and Mets are finished for the season; the Giants and Jets don’t seem to be going in any positive direction; and the winter sports season hasn’t really gotten started in any meaningful way.

Our second guest this week is Red Sox television play-by-play voice Don Orsillo.  Ken speaks with Don about his work with the Sox on NESN, his upcoming playoff stint with TBS; and even culinary arts.

All MLB Media is Local- Seattle Mariners

We head to the Pacific Northwest to check out the media covering the SEATTLE MARINERS

Newspaper-  Up until two years ago Seattle had two daily newspapers. The Seattle Times remains in print form.  Its sports section has a dedicated Mariners section.  Larry Stone and Geoff Baker (Twitter) lead the other writers in maintaining the paper’s Mariners Blog.  Columnists Jerry Brewer (Twitter) and Steve Kelly will also have thoughts on the team.

The Seattle Post-Intellegencer is no longer in print but does have a digital edition. The P-I’s sports section also has a dedicated Mariners section.  The company relies on Associated Press reports and blog posts to cover the Mariners. The fan-supported blogs include  U.S.S. Mariner Blog and Mariner Fan Blog.

Sports Radio-  The Mariners Radio Network is anchored by KIRO 710AM  ESPN.   Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith (Twitter)  have the call of the action.  Shannon Drayer (Twitter) serves as reporter while Matt Pittman hosts in the studio. Alex Rivera and Julio Cruz call the games on Spanish language KKMO. 710 ESPN and KJR satisfies the fans’ interest in discussing the team.

Television– Root Sports Northwest has Mariner games on television. Dave Simms (Twitter) is joined by Mike Blowers in the booth.  Jen Mueller (Twitter) is the field reporter.  KCPQ, KIRO, KING, and KOMO cover the Mariners on the network TV-side of things.

Blogs- Lookout Landing, U.S.S. Mariner, Pro Ball NW and SoDo MoJo are some independent sites following the Mariners.

If we missed someone you follow, add them in the comments.

All MLB Media is Local- Washington Nationals

Over the the nation’s capital for a look at the media covering the WASHINGTON NATIONALS.

Newspaper– Washington DC is a two newspaper town, both of which have major influence. The Washington Post online sports section includes special coverage of the Nationals.  Adam Kilgore (Twitter) and James Wagner (Twitter) take charge of the paper’s Nationals Journal blog. And with this prestigious roster of columnists, it’s a must stop for all Nats fans.
The Washington Times‘  sports section also has dedicated coverage of the Nationals.  Amanda Comak (Twitter) is the lead beat writer who also maintains the paper’s Nationals Watch blog.

Sports Radio– The Nationals Radio Network has the team covered on game day on flagship 106.7 The Fan. Charlie Slowes (Twitter) and Dave Jageler have the call.   You can also talk Nats over at ESPN Radio WTEM 980 AM.

Television– The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is the TV home of the Nats.  Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo (Twitter) are at the mic. Kristina Akra (Twitter) handles field duty. Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight are in studio.   WJLA, WRC, WTTG, and WUSA are local television resources for the Nationals.  Comcast SportsNet Washington also has coverage of the team.

Blogs– Independent web sites following the Nats include Federal Baseball, The Nats Blog, Nats Insider and Nats Enquirer.

Add your thoughts on these and other outlets in the comments.

All MLB Media is Local- Houston Astros

Here is the group of media covering the HOUSTON ASTROS.

Newspaper– In Houston the Houston Chronicle is the city’s dominant daily newspaper. The online sports section includes a special page dedicated to the Astros. Brian Smith (Twitter) and Jose De Jesus Ortiz are on the Astros beat.  Columnists Randy Harvey (Twitter) and Jerome Solomon (Twitter) will comment on the team.  The paper also has a blog for fans of the Astros.|

Sports Radio–  The Houston Astros Radio Network is anchored by Sports 790 KBME.  Robert Ford (Twitter) and Steve Sparks have the call of the games.  Crawford Jones will be in studio.  Francisco Romero and  Alex Tevino have the Spanish language broadcast on KLAT.  You can talk Astros on, KNFC,  KILT-AM, and KGOW.

Television–  Bill Brown, Alan Ashby, and Geoff Blum (Twitter) will be at the mic on television at Comcast SportsNet Houston. Kevin Eschenfelder is in the studio.  Network TV coverage of the Astros can be found on KHOU, KPRC, KRIV, and KTRK.

Blogs– Crawfish Boxes, Astros County, Climbing Tals Tail and Astros Daily are some independent sites following the Astros.

Please use the comments to add other reporters or sites you follow.

All MLB Media is Local- Los Angeles Dodgers

Here are the media outlets following the LOS ANGELES DODGERS.

Newspaper– Los Angeles has two newspapers, the L.A. Times and L.A. Daily News.
The Times sports section  has a special section dedicated to the Dodgers.  Kevin Baxter (Twitter) takes the lead on the Dodgers beat while Bill Shaikin (Twitter) writes general baseball columns.  Steve Dilbeck (Twitter) maintains the Dodgers Now blog.   The paper has Bill Plaschke,  (Twitter) T.J. Simers (Twitter), Bill Dwyre,  Helene Elliott (Twitter) and Chris Erskine (Twitter) as columnists who will chime-in on the Dodgers.
At the Daily News, the paper also has a special section dedicated to the Dodgers.   J.P. Hoornstra is the lead Dodgers reporter who maintains the Inside the Dodgers Blog.  Vincent Bonsignore (Twitter) and Jill Painter (Twitter) will also add their thoughts on the Dodgers.

Sports Radio–KLAC is the flagship station for the Dodgers Radio Network.  Vin Scully, Charlie Steiner and Rick Monday call the action. Jaime Jarrin, Pepe Yniguez and Fernando Valenzuela call the games on Spanish language KTNQ. You can also talk Dodgers onKSPN and KLAA.

Television-Prime Ticket and KCAL are the TV homes for Dodger telecasts.  Scully joins Eric Collins and Steve Lyons (Twitter) in the booth.  Patrick O’Neal (Twitter) is in the studio.    The local television outlets covering the Dodgers include KCBS, KNBC, KABC, and KTTV.  And don’t forget ESPN Los Angeles’ coverage of the Dodgers.

Blogs– Independent blogs covering the Dodgers include True Blue LA, Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness, LA Dodger Talk and Lasorda’s Lair.

There are more outlets covering the Dodgers.  Add your favorites in the comments.

All MLB Media is Local- Minnesota Twins

Here is a look at the reporters and outlets covering the MINNESOTA TWINS.

Newspaper–  The largest newspaper in the region is the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  They appear to have a fairly comprehensive sports section, including an area dedicated to the Twins.  Beat writers Phil Miller runs the 6-4-3 Blog and La Velle E. Neal III (Twitter) has the Twins Insider blog. Super bloggers Seth Stohs, Nick Nelson, Parker Hageman and John Bonnes (Twitter) keep up on the TwinsCentric blog.  Columnists Chip Scoggins (Twitter), Patrick Reusse (Twitter) and  the legendary Sid Hartman (Twitter) will also comment on the Twins.

Sports Radio– KTWN-FM is s the flagship in the Twins Radio Network.  Cory Provus  and Dan Gladden are at the mic. Chris Atteberry handles studio duty.  Alfonso Fernandez and Tony Oliva have Twins Spanish broadcasts on KMNV.   KFAN and KSTP are the best places for Twins talk on sports radio.

Television– Fox Sports North is the television home of the Twins. Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven (Twitter) handle the game coverage. Anthony LaPanta (Twitter) and Ron Coomer are in the studio.  KARE, KMSP, KSTP, and WCCO are the main television outlets that cover the Vikings.

Blogs– Twinkie Town, Twins Daily, Aaron Gleeman and Puckett’s Pond are some independent sites following the Twins.

We welcome your comments about our list and others who you follow who cover the team.

All MLB Media is Local- Philadelphia Phillies

Let’s examine the local media covering the PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES.

Newspaper–  Philadelphia is a two newspaper town owned by one company.  Both papers are housed within the same web site.  The Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required) and Philadelphia Daily News (subscription required) sports sections are merged online. Daily News beat writers David Murphy (Twitter) and Ryan Lawrence (Twitter) anchor the paper’s High Cheese blog.  Inquirer beat writers Matt Gelb (Twitter) and Bob Brookover (Twitter) also write for the paper’s Phillies Zone blog.  There are also a bevy of columnists from both papers who will comment on the Phillies.

Sports Radio– The Phillies radio broadcasts are handled by Talk Radio 1210 WPHT.   Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen have the call of the games.  Danny Martinez and Rickie Ricardo have the call on Spanish language WDAS.  Philly fans are fortunate to have two sports radio stations to follow the Phillies: WIP and WPEN.

Television–  Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia has Phillies games on television.  Tom McCarthy (Twitter), Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews have the call of the games.  Greg Murphy (Twitter) works the field.  Michael Barkann (Twitter), Ricky Bottalico (Twitter) and Ben Davis handle pre and post game duties. Network television outlets in Philadelphia include KYW, WCAU, WPVI, and WTXF.

Blogs–  Some of the independent following the Phillies include The Good Phight, Phillies Nation, Crashburn Alley and Beer Leaguer.  The longtime Philly sports site The 700 Level will, of course, chime in on the Phillies.

We know there are more reporters following the Phillies. Add your favorites to the comments.

All MLB Media is Local- Baltimore Orioles

Here are the media organizations following the BALTIMORE ORIOLES.

Newspaper– One of the most underrated mid-sized newspapers in the country is the Baltimore Sun.  It has a long tradition of having a comprehensive sports section.  The online version of the paper has a page dedicated to the Orioles. Eduardo Encina (Twitter), Dan Connolly (Twitter) and  David Selig  (Twitter) also maintain the Orioles Insider Blog. Columnists Kevin Cowherd (Twitter) and Peter Schmuck (Twitter) will also offer commentary on the team.
Baltimore has its own weekly sports newspaper, the Press Box.

Sports Radio– WBAL serves as the home of the Orioles Radio Network. Joe Angel and Fred Manfra call the action.  Tom Davis and Dave Johnson are in the studio. To talk Orioles, tune into sports talker 105. The Fan.

Television–  Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) and WJZ TV have the O’s on TV.   Gary Thorne leads the call with Jim Palmer.   Jim Hunter and Rick Dempsey are in the studio. Among the television stations on the Baltimore beat include WBAL, WBFF, WJZ and WMAR.  Comcast SportsNet Baltimore and also cover the Orioles.

Blogs– Camden Chat, Oriole Post, Orioles Hangout and Birds Watcher are some independent Orioles sites.

We welcome your comments about our list and others who you follow who cover the team.

All MLB Media is Local- St. Louis Cardinals

Here is a look at the local media following the ST LOUIS CARDINALS.

Newspaper– The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the most well known news organization in the city. The paper’s online presence, including its sports section is part of StlToday.com. It includes a dedicated Cardinals’ section.  Beat writers Derek Goold (Twitter) and Rick Hummel also report on the paper’s Cardinals Beat Blog.  Goold also manages the Birdland Blog. Columnists Joe Straus (Twitter) Jeff Gordon (Twitter), Bernie Miklasz (Twitter) and Roger Hensley (Twitter) will also lend their thoughts on the team.

Sports Radio– KMOX stands as the flagship station in the Cardinals Radio Network.  Mike Shannon and John Rooney have the call. Mike Claiborne hosts in the studio. You can talk Cards on sports radio KFNS as well as 101 ESPN.

Television– Fox Sports Midwest is the television home for the Cardinals. Dan McLaughlin, Al Hrabosky and Rick Horton (Twitter) lead the coverage.  Jim Hayes is on the field while Pat Parris and Jack Clark are in studio.  The TV outlets that cover the Cards include KDNL, KMOV, KSDK, KTVI.

Blogs– Some independent sites following the Cards include Viva El Birdos, Cards Diaspora, Red Bird Rants and C70 At the Bat.

Use the comments to add other reporters or sites that follow the Cards.