Baseball

Sunday MLB on TBS Continues with Rays vs. Red Sox at 1:30 p.m. ET

April 12, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues April 14 with an American League East match-up featuring Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays visiting Dustin Pedroia and the Boston Red Sox at 1:30 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Hellickson is scheduled to take the mound against Boston’s probable starting pitcher Clay Buchholz. In the broadcast booth, Ernie Johnson will call the action alongside analysts Ron Darling and John Smoltz.

TBS’ regular season MLB coverage will include a 26-game regular season schedule and the exclusive telecast of the 2013 MLB All-Star Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on Sunday, June 30. In October, TBS will exclusively televise the American League and National League Wild Card games and will once again provide coverage of all four MLB Division Series and exclusive coverage of the National League Championship Series.

TBS has broadcast MLB for more than 30 years, televising the MLB Division Series and one League Championship Series since 2007, and was the home of the Atlanta Braves from 1977 to 2007.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Schedule:

April 14

1:30 p.m. (ET)	Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox
	Ernie Johnson (play-by-play), Ron Darling and John Smoltz (analysts)

Upcoming Schedule:

April 21

1:30 p.m. (ET)	Los Angeles Dodgers @ Baltimore Orioles
	Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Darling and Cal Ripken (analysts)

April 28

1 p.m. (ET)	Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
	Steve Physioc (play-by-play) and Darling (analyst)

- 30 -

Filed Under: MLB, TBS

UFC’s Hendricks & NASCAR’s Harvick Size Up Workout Regimes in Special NASCAR on FOX Prerace Feature Saturday Night from Texas

April 12, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

FOX Sports Day-Night Doubleheader Features MLB Action and NASCAR Saturday

Braves/Nationals, Giants/Cubs, Rays/Red Sox at 12:30 PM ET

NASCAR Sprint Cup Action Gets Bigger in Texas at 7:00 PM ET

The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale Airs Saturday Night on FX; Weigh-In & Prelims on FUEL TV

UFC’s Road to the Octagon Previews Henderson vs. Melendez Sunday at 5:00 PM ET

Chelsea & Manchester City Battle Sunday on FOX Soccer

UFC’s Hendricks & NASCAR’s Harvick Size Each Other Up in Special Prerace Feature During Saturday’s Race at TMS

HARVICK & HENDRICKS GO TOE TO TOE IN SPECIAL PRERACE FEATURE SIZING UP UFC & NASCAR WORKOUT REGIMES – UFC top contender Johny Hendricks put NASCAR superstar Kevin Harvick through a rigorous MMA-style workout from his training facility today. The special session airs during FOX Sports’ prerace coverage Saturday, April 13 at 7:00 PM ET leading up to NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from Texas. The two world class athletes show the similarities and differences between the regimes that keep them at the top of their respective sports. Harvick, an avid MMA fan, proved to be up to the task, getting first-hand instruction on proper footwork and striking style. “His conditioning and strength were impressive,” said Hendricks, who is coming off a decisive victory over Carlos Condit last month at UFC 158. Hendricks will attend the race this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as an honorary member of Harvick’s crew.

MLB ON FOX SEASON ROLLS ON – Week 2 of the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK gets an earlier start time, 12:30 PM ET, Saturday, April 13, with live regional coverage of three major league matchups. NL East rivals meet as Justin Upton and the Braves travel to the nation’s capital to face Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals. In Chicago, the Cubs welcome Buster Posey and the Giants to Wrigley Field. Also, the Red Sox host the Rays in an AL East battle.

Coverage begins with the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW, a full 30-minute program originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. The show is hosted by longtime FOX Sports and MLB Network broadcaster Matt Vasgersian who is joined this week by analysts Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams.

For instant updates during the week from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX, on Instagram at http://instagram.com/foxsports or on GetGlue at http://getglue.com/tv_shows/major_league_baseball_on_fox. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST COV.

Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals Justin Kutcher & Eric Karros 45%

Nationals Park – Washington, D.C. Ken Rosenthal

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, Tulsa, Washington

Probable Pitchers: Tim Hudson, RHP (1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Stephen Strasburg, RHP (1-1, 4.38 ERA)

San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs* Thom Brennaman & Tim McCarver 32%

Wrigley Field – Chicago, IL

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis

Probable Pitchers: Madison Bumgarner, LHP (2-0, 1.32 ERA) vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP (0-2, 5.73 ERA)

*On FOX Deportes

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox Kenny Albert, Tom Verducci 22%

Fenway Park – Boston, MA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Fort Myers, Hartford, Miami, New York, Orlando, Providence, Seattle, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: David Price, LHP (0-1, 8.18 ERA) vs. TBA

JOHNSON SEIZES CONTROL IN NASCAR – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series take the primetime stage on Saturday, April 13 at 7:00 PM ET, with NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing From Texas. Jimmie Johnson comes off a big weekend last week at Martinsville; capturing the pole, the checkered flag and first place in the series standings. Johnson looks to pad his lead this week at Texas Motor Speedway.

Coverage begins with the FOX NASCAR prerace show hosted by Chris Myers, providing up-to-the-minute reports, live interviews with drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action and analysis from Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy is alongside analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for reports on teams and pit stops. FOX Sports’ Jeff Hammond serves as the network’s roving analyst, taking fans from the garages to pit road and everywhere in between. This week Hall of Fame pitcher and Texas Rangers CEO Nolan Ryan welcomes fans to the first primetime race of the season and the great state of Texas by voicing the open.

For instant updates during the week from the entire NASCAR on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NASCARONFOX, on Instagram at http://instagram.com/foxsports or on GetGlue at http://getglue.com/tv_shows/nascar_on_fox. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

ROSENTHAL CALLS HALLADAY’S STRUGGLES “PAINFUL” – In his latest column for FOXSports.com, MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal writes that he finds Phillies’ right-hander Roy Halladay’s struggles “painful” to watch. Rosenthal quotes a scout who says, “From a stuff standpoint, there’s nothing there,” and writes: “It’s painful to say that bout Halladay, painful to write, painful to think about. No one who cares about the game wants to see a pitcher as accomplished as Halladay struggle the way he has in the first two starts, the way he did last season.”

CRUZ PREDICTS FABER AND TATE VICTORIES AT THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 17 FINALE – FUEL TV televises three shows around this weekend’s THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 17 FINALE: FABER VS. JORGENSEN, and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz joins the announcing team as an analyst. He predicts that bantamweight superstar Urijah Faber will prevail over longtime 135-pound contender Scott Jorgensen in the headlining bout: “Jorgensen creates a lot of problems in durability and with his wrestling ability that will make Faber think. But Faber’s explosiveness, speed and technique are going to win the fight.” In addition, Cruz predicts Miesha Tate will take out Cat Zingano in the second-ever UFC women’s fight: “I have to go with Tate. She’s got the cleaner technique on the grappling end.”

FUEL TV kicks off coverage of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 17 FINALE with the live WEIGH-IN Show on Friday, April 12 (6:00 PM ET), hosted by Karyn Bryant, with Cruz and UFC middleweight Michael Bisping adding analysis. FUEL TV televises THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE PRELIMS live on Saturday, April 13 (7:00 PM ET) with host Jay Glazer and analysts Cruz and Bisping. The main card is telecast live on FX (9:00 PM ET), with Kenny Florian and Jon Anik calling the fights. Coverage wraps later that night with the live POSTFIGHT SHOW (12:00 AM ET), with Glazer, Cruz and Bisping breaking down all the fights and highlights.

FOX PREMIERES UFC’S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON SUNDAY NIGHT – FOX Sports gets ready for next weekend’s FOX UFC SATURDAY with UFC’S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON on Sunday, April 14 (5:00 PM ET). UFC’S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON is a one-hour special that goes behind the scenes and inside the lives and training camps of UFC fighters as they prepare for their upcoming bouts. FOX UFC SATURDAY returns on Saturday, April 20 (8:00 PM ET), with a quadruple-header of top fights, highlighted by UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson defending his title against top contender Gilbert Melendez. Also on the card are heavyweights Frank Mir vs. Daniel Cormier, lightweights Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson and welterweights Jordan Mein vs. Matt Brown.

PAGES’ THREE UNIQUE TRICKS SET HIM ABOVE THE REST AT RED BULL X-FIGHTERS – The exciting freestyle motocross tour RED BULL X-FIGHTERS heads to Dubai for the second stop of the year, and FUEL TV televises the finals live on Friday, April 12 (1:00 PM ET). Frenchman Tom Pages looks to win his second straight event, says FUEL TV host Andy Bell: “Pages has three tricks that he’s doing in his runs that no one else is, and he’ll be hard to beat because of that. But if Dany Torres, Levi Sherwod or Josh Sheehan can bring one of these tricks, maybe they can pull the upset.”

CHELSEA AND MANCHESTER CITY BATTLE THIS SUNDAY ON FOX SOCCER – The FA Cup returns this weekend to FOX Soccer with a high-profile semifinal matchup between Chelsea and Manchester City, live Sunday, April 14 (11:00 AM ET). This clash at Wembley Stadium features reigning FA Cup champions, the Blues, against reigning Barclays Premier League champions. With the Barclays Premier League title all but handed to Manchester United, both teams are eager for silverware and will be treating the final four meeting as if it’s the championship game. Manchester City has not conceded any goals in the cup competition thus far, and star striker Sergio Aguero looks to take advantage of tired legs as Chelsea will be going into the game following a midweek UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second-leg against Rubin Kazan (live Thursday, April 11 at 11:50 AM ETon FOX Soccer). Rafael Benitez’s side will rely on its experience to move one step closer to the trophy, with four FA Cup titles in the last six seasons.

Filed Under: FOX, MLB, NASCAR

Don Newcombe, Harrison Ford & Chadwick Boseman on “Studio 42 with Bob Costas”

April 10, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

Hour-Long Interview Airs Saturday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET & Sunday, April 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET

Secaucus, N.J., April 10, 2013 – Brooklyn Dodgers legend and Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Young Award winner Don Newcombe joins actors Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman on Studio 42 with Bob Costas this weekend on MLB Network to discuss his former teammate Jackie Robinson and the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures presentation of “42,” a Legendary Pictures Production.

Taped at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last week, Newcombe comments on Robinson both on and off the baseball diamond, while Boseman, who portrays Robinson, and Ford, who plays Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, talk about what drew them to the film and how they prepared to play such larger-than-life characters. Boseman details his Spring Training-like practices and Ford describes studying Rickey’s mannerisms by watching his appearance on an episode of the game show “What’s My Line?” in 1959.

Studio 42 with Bob Costas will air this Saturday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET and on Sunday, April 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET. The film “42” is in theaters nationwide this Friday, April 12.

Highlights from this episode of Studio 42 with Bob Costas include:

Newcombe on Robinson:

He was not the greatest baseball player to ever play baseball, but he became a legend in baseball with his talent. He had the greatest reflexes of any human being I’ve ever seen on a baseball field. He could do things that I’ve never seen anybody else do yet in all of those years. Willie Mays and all of them couldn’t do what Jackie could do on a baseball field. … In a rundown, he had nine baseball players one day chasing him down the third base line trying to catch him and they never did catch him. Nine!

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Newcombe on Robinson’s legacy:

Jackie said, “We’re bitter now, but we’re going to change one letter in the word bitter. We’re going to change the “I” to “E” and things are going to get better. We have to make it work though. We have to make it work,” and we did make it work. We made history. We made baseball what it is today in a very big way, but we still haven’t reached the point where we need to be.

Boseman on why the movie was made:

When [Legendary Pictures CEO] Thomas Tull talks about why he wanted to do the film, he says that he was doing an event with some kids with Ken Griffey, Jr. and they brought up Jackie Robinson, and they didn’t know who he was. Ken Griffey turns to him and says, “You know, we have to do something about that.”

Boseman on the importance of playing Jackie Robinson:

That set in for me that I am responsible for … portraying all of the characteristics and qualities and principles that the man lived under. I also knew that there were a lot of people who viewed him as a hero, that know him very well, and would be let down if I didn’t live up to those expectations.

Boseman on how he prepared to imitate Robinson’s style of play:

I was provided his Hall of Fame footage by Major League Baseball and I was given coaches. We basically had a Spring Training from the middle of January to May, in which I came, went to practice five days a week in the morning and we also had conditioning sessions later in the day … I was like a professional player, treated like that.

Ford on Branch Rickey:

He was a dramatic character. He had a real sense of drama and baseball is drama. He had a style and that was one of the joys of playing him. He’s a larger-than-life character.

Ford on researching Rickey’s mannerisms:

One of the most telling things I saw was an old kinescope of him appearing on “What’s My Line?” … Just after the show was over, he walked from the place where he sat as a “mystery guest” and greeted the panelists on his way off stage, and from that I got the essence of the man, the courtliness, the gentility, the way he moved. You know, a picture’s worth a thousand words and a lot of those pictures helped inform me.

Newcombe on Boseman’s and Ford’s portrayals in the film:

I’m so proud to see this young man [Boseman] perform the way he did, emulating my great idol named Jackie Robinson, my teammate, my ex-roommate, my golfing buddy … When I first saw Harrison, I said, “What is Branch Rickey doing up on that screen?” He looks so much like him and he performed like him and I said, “My God, what do they do in the movie business, they make it almost real.” I’m proud of the both of them.

Filed Under: MLB, MLBN

Cliff Floyd & Joey Cora Join MLB Network

April 10, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

WORLD SERIES CHAMPION CLIFF FLOYD & FORMER ALL-STAR JOEY CORA JOIN MLB NETWORK AS ON-AIR ANALYSTS

Secaucus, N.J., April 8, 2013 – World Series champion Cliff Floyd and World Series-winning coach and former All-Star Joey Cora have joined MLB Network as analysts, appearing across MLB Network’s programming. Floyd will debut Monday, April 15 on MLB Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET and Cora will make his MLB Network debut on MLB Tonight on May 6.

Cora and Floyd join former Major Leaguers Larry Bowa, Eric Byrnes, Sean Casey, Darryl Hamilton, John Hart, Jim Kaat, Al Leiter, Mike Lowell, Joe Magrane, Jerry Manuel, Kevin Millar, Dan Plesac, Harold Reynolds, Billy Ripken, John Smoltz, Dave Valle and Mitch Williams as analysts at MLB Network.
Over a 17-year play career, Floyd batted .278 with 1,479 hits, 233 home runs and 865 RBI during his career as an outfielder and first baseman. Floyd was named to the National League All-Star team in 2001, when he batted .317 with 31 home runs and 103 RBI for the Florida Marlins. Defensively, Floyd led all National League outfielders with 15 assists in 2005 while with the Mets. Floyd was a part of four Postseason teams, including the 1997 World Series Champion Marlins. Floyd broke into MLB with the Montreal Expos (1993-1996, 2002) and also spent time with the Marlins (1997-2002), Boston Red Sox (2002), Mets (2003-2006), Chicago Cubs (2007), Tampa Bay Rays (2008) and Padres (2009).

Floyd’s previous experience in broadcasting includes serving as an expert host on “SiriusXM Fantasy Baseball” since 2011. Floyd also works as a pre- and postgame analyst for Marlins games on Fox Sports Florida and has worked an analyst on NBC Sports Network’s “SportsTalk.” Follow Floyd on Twitter: @Sleepy30.

As a player, Cora batted .277 with 1,035 hits, 624 runs scored and 294 RBI over his 11-year career. An American League All-Star second baseman with the Seattle Mariners in 1997, Cora batted .300 with 105 runs scored and 40 doubles, and also led all American League second basemen with 307 putouts. Cora was a member of four Postseason teams during his playing career, which included time with the San Diego Padres (1987-1990), Chicago White Sox (1991-1994), Seattle Mariners (1995-1998) and Cleveland Indians (1998).

Following his playing career, Cora managed in the New York Mets’ Minor League system before serving as third base coach and bench coach for the White Sox (2004-2011), including the 2005 World Series champion team. Cora also served as bench coach for the 2012 Miami Marlins.

Filed Under: MLB, MLBN

2013 MLB on FOX Season Premiere Features LCS Rematches & Hamilton Return to Texas – Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

April 5, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

MLB on FOX Kicks Off 2013 with a Bang Saturday at 3:30 PM ET

Yankees/Tigers & Giants/Cardinals in LCS Rematches

Hamilton Returns to Texas with Angels

McCarver: AL Cy Young In Tigers’ Rotation and Not Named Verlander

With Dale Jr. Atop Standings, NASCAR on FOX Hits Martinsville Sunday at 12:30 PM ET

UFC on FUEL TV 9: Mousasi vs. Latifi Saturday – Rashad Evans Guest Studio Analyst

Barclays Premier League Action on FOX Soccer Sun at 9:00 AM ET: Tottenham vs. Everton

MLB ON FOX WEEK 1 SEASON PREMIERE – This Saturday, April 6, FOX Sports begins its 18^th season of MLB coverage with three exciting matchups beginning at 3:30 PM ET. In Detroit, big names face off as Joe Girardi leads the Yankees into the Motor City to take on Triple Crown-winner Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers. Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Erin Andrews call the action from Comerica Park. The defending World Series Champion Giants welcome the Cardinals to the Bay Area for a rematch of the 2012 NLCS. In another intriguing matchup, Josh Hamilton makes his return to Texas with his new team, the Angels, in this AL West battle.

Coverage begins with the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW, a full 30-minute program, originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. It’s hosted by longtime FOX Sports and MLB Network broadcaster Matt Vasgersian who is joined this week by analysts Harold Reynolds and Kevin Millar.

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST COV.

New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers* Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, 48%

Ken Rosenthal & Erin Andrews

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: David Phelps, RHP (0-0, 6.75 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer, RHP (0-0, -.– ERA)

*On FOX Deportes

St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants Justin Kutcher & Eric Karros 32%

AT&T Park – San Francisco, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis

Probable Pitchers: Shelby Miller, RHP (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. Ryan Vogelsong, RHP (0-0, -.– ERA)

Los Angeles Angels at Texas Rangers Thom Brennaman & Tom Verducci 19%

Rangers Ballpark – Arlington, TX

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Seattle, Tulsa

Probable Pitchers: Tommy Hanson, RHP (0-0, -.– ERA) vs. Matt Harrison, LHP (0-1, 7.94 ERA)

MCCARVER: AL CY YOUNG WINNER WILL COME FROM DETROIT TIGERS BUT NOT WHO YOU THINK – Earlier this week, MLB on FOX analyst and Ford C. Frick award winner Tim McCarver made a bold prediction on-air with FOX Sports Radio’s “Loose Cannons” on who will be the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner. “The Detroit Tigers will have the Cy Young Award winner for the American League this year and my pick is not Justin Verlander,” said McCarver. “Max Scherzer will win it.” McCarver also talked about how the Yankees will fare this year: “The Yankees have been decimated with injuries. I’ve never seen anything like it. They are a skeleton of their former selves. People are used to seeing them contend on a regular basis and I doubt that will be the case this year.”

MCCARVER STEPPING DOWN BUT NOT RETIRING AFTER 2013 – While it is true that Tim McCarver is stepping down from his role as lead MLB on FOX analyst at the end of this season, he is by no means planning to retire. “I didn’t announce my retirement. I just said I was stepping away from doing the job that I’ve done since 1996 and that’s the FOX Saturday Game of the Week, the All-Star Game and postseason baseball on FOX. I am by no means retiring after this season. I know there will be plenty of things out there to do.”

NASCAR ON FOX RETURNS TO MARTINSVILLE – With a week off to recharge the batteries, FOX Sports and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series return Sunday, April 7 (12:30 PM ET) for NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing From Martinsville. Fresh off his second-place finish two weeks ago, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. has taken over the top spot in the series standings. Coverage begins with the FOX NASCAR SUNDAY prerace show hosted by Chris Myers, providing up-to-the-minute reports, live interviews with drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action and analysis from Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy is alongside analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for reports on teams and pit stops. FOX Sports’ Jeff Hammond serves as the network’s roving analyst, taking fans from the garages to pit road and everywhere in between. For instant updates during the week from the entire NASCAR on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NASCARONFOX, on Instagram at http://instagram.com/foxsports or on GetGlue at http://getglue.com/tv_shows/nascar_on_fox. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

RIVALRIES HEAT UP HEADING INTO MARTINSVILLE – When NASCAR Sprint Cup racing last took to the track two weeks ago in Fontana, tempers flared. Not only did rivals and then-race leaders Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano spin each other out on the final turn of the final lap, but Logano made another enemy when he blocked out Tony Stewart on a restart, prompting a profanity-riddled post-race interview from Stewart in which he promised to get his revenge on Logano.

NASCAR on FOX analysts Steve Byrnes and Darrell Waltrip weigh on in Stewart’s threats and what it could mean for this Sunday’s short-track race in Martinsville.

“Stewart doesn’t make idle threats,” said Byrnes, who interviewed Stewart following the Fontana race. “I think his comments about Joey Logano were an accumulation of things on-track and off. It’s obvious he doesn’t have a lot of respect for Joey right now. Personally, I don’t see him going out of his way in terms of ‘payback,’ but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it happened this week.”

“People won’t cut Joey Logano any slack,” Waltrip added. “Tony has buddies and Denny has buddies, and those buddies sometimes mess with you because you messed with their buddy. If you cut off Tony at Martinsville, he’ll probably put you in the wall. Tony won’t take any crap. Logano is smart enough to know that, and we’re all smart enough to be watching for it.”

For more on what to expect at Martinsville, click here: http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-dissecting-the-stewart-logano-feud-heading-into-sundays-race-at-martins/

FLORIAN SAYS LATE REPLACEMENT LATIFI COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR MOUSASI AT UFC ON FUEL TV 9 – UFC^® on FUEL TV travels to Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday, April 6 (2:00 PM ET), for the network’s ninth installment featuring former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi (34-12-1, 1NC), against late replacement Ilir “The Sledgehammer” Latifi (7-2-0, 1NC), in a light heavyweight headlining bout. Latifi replaces the No. 2-ranked Alexander Gustafsson after Gustafsson was injured in training last week and was deemed unable to fight by the Swedish MMA Federation. Kenny Florian, FUEL TV’s UFC TONIGHT co-analyst, says the change could spell trouble for the veteran Mousasi: “Gegard Mousasi is so fast at 205 pounds and he has excellent submissions. This guy is a true finisher, but you have to think about his mindset now. He was preparing for Gustafsson, and now he’s training for a completely different opponent. Ilir Latifi is a national champion in wrestling in Sweden. If we’ve seen a weakness in Mousasi in the past, it’s with guys who can take him down and control him, so perhaps Ilir has the style that will give him a lot of problems.”

The live telecast on FUEL TV consists of five more exciting bouts including a lightweight battle between England’s Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson (16-6-0), fresh off a knockout victory over George Sotiropoulos, and Strikeforce vet Ryan Couture (6-1-0), who is looking to extend his current four-fight winning streak. Matt Mitrione (5-2-0), a four-year NFL veteran, takes on British prospect Phil De Fries (9-2-0, 1NC) in a heavyweight showdown. Fifth-ranked bantamweight Brad “One Punch” Pickett (23-7-0) faces ninth-ranked Mike “The Hulk” Easton (13-2-0). TUF 14 winner Diego “Ceara” Brandao (20-8-0) goes toe-to-toe against Pablo “The Scarecrow” Garza (13-3-0) in a featherweight scrap. Featherweight Robbie “Problems” Peralta (16-3-0, 1NC), coming off a 23-second knockout of Jason Young on UFC^® on FUEL TV 5, battles Akira Corassani (12-4-1). UFC announcers Mike Goldberg and Kenny Florian call all bouts live from Sweden on FUEL TV.

UFC^® ON FUEL TV 9: MOUSASI VS. LATIFI PRELIMS STREAMED LIVE ON FUEL.TV AND FOXSPORTS.COM – FUEL TV and FOXSports.com are webcasting the UFC PRELIMS beginning on Saturday, April 6 (10:50 AM ET). The stream can be seen at: http://www.fuel.tv/ufc/events/gustafsson-vs-mousasi/

FORMER UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP JOINS FUEL TV’S WEIGH-IN AND POSTFIGHT SHOWS – Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans joins the announcing teams for the upcoming UFC^® on FUEL TV 9 shows, starting with the UFC WEIGH-IN on Friday, April 5 (10:00 AM ET). The program is hosted by veteran combat sports announcer Karyn Bryant, with Evans and UFC middleweight Brian Stann adding analysis, and veteran British MMA journalist Gareth A. Davies interviewing fighters on-site. Immediately following UFC^® on FUEL TV 9 on Saturday, April 6 (5:00 PM ET), FUEL TV telecasts the UFC POSTFIGHT SHOW featuring host Jay Glazer, Evans and Stann analyzing the biggest and best moments of the evening’s fights. Davies provides interviews backstage live from the Ericsson Globe Arena. Click here for more information: http://www.fuel.tv/ufc/events/mousasi-vs-latifi/

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE: TOTTENHAM VS. EVERTON – FOX Soccer is home to the Barclays Premier League this weekend as third-placed Tottenham faces sixth-placed Everton, live this Sunday, April 7 (9:00 AM ET). Six points separate the two teams in the standings, but with the Spurs having played one game more, the Toffees look to slash the gap in half with a victory and keep their hopes alive for a top-four European finish. Tottenham has a quick turnaround following midweek Europa League quarterfinal action, and manager Andres Villas-Boas will be counting on in-form duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon to provide the magic. U.S. national team goalkeeper Tim Howard continues to lead the backline for Everton after recovering from two broken bones in his back. David Moyes’ side aims to shrug off the label of underdogs at White Hart Lane, with less than ten games remaining as the season reaches its finale.

NEW PSAs FEATURING 2013 FOX SPORTS SUPPORTS CHARITIES DEBUT THIS WEEKEND ACROSS NEWS CORP. CHANNELS – In February, FOX Sports Supports, the charitable arm of FOX Sports, announced Feeding America, Johns Hopkins Medicine and STOMP Out Bullying as its partner charities for 2013. The three charities receive support from FOX Sports in the forms of campaigns that span all of FOX Sports’ properties, premier events and assets beginning with February’s Daytona 500 and culminating with Super Bowl XLVIII from New York/New Jersey. Last month, FOX Sports filmed public service announcements for each charity with several members of its on-air teams. These PSAs, featuring Erin Andrews, Terry Bradshaw, Charles Davis, Jay Glazer, Tim McCarver and Chris Myers with Feeding America, Troy Aikman, Joey Harrington, Jimmy Johnson, Curt Menefee, Regis Philbin and Michael Waltrip with Johns Hopkins and Eddie George, Howie Long, Mike Pereira, Ken Rosenthal, Michael Strahan and Darrell Waltrip with STOMP Out Bullying, will air across all News Corporation channels. For more information, visit FOXSportsSupports.com.

Filed Under: FOX, MLB

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Returns with ALCS Rematch: Yankees vs. Tigers at 1 p.m. ET

April 5, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

Probable Starters Feature New York’s CC Sabathia Against Detroit’s Justin Verlander

“Sunday MLB on TBS” will returns April 7 with an American League Championship Series rematch featuring Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and the 2012 A.L. Champion Detroit Tigers hosting Robinson Cano and the New York Yankees at 1 p.m. ET. Scheduled to take the mound are both team’s respective aces with Detroit’s Justin Verlander and New York’s CC Sabathia as the probable starting pitchers. In the broadcast booth, Ernie Johnson will call the action alongside analyst John Smoltz.

TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years, televising the MLB Division Series and one League Championship Series since 2007, and was the home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Schedule:

Sun., April 7

1 p.m. (ET)	Detroit Tigers @ New York Yankees
	Ernie Johnson (play-by-play) and John Smoltz (analyst)

Upcoming Schedule:

Sun., April 14

1:30 p.m. (ET)	Tampa Bay Rays @ Boston Red Sox
	Johnson (play-by-play), Ron Darling and Smoltz (analysts)

Sun., April 21

1:30 p.m. (ET)	Los Angeles Dodgers @ Baltimore Orioles
	Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Darling and Cal Ripken (analysts)

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Filed Under: MLB, TBS

Comcast SportsNet New England to Provide Comprehensive Red Sox Coverage for 2013 Season

April 1, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

Network’s Interactive Signature Program “The Baseball Show”

Returns with Season Debut on Saturday, March 30^th at its new time 10AM

CSNNE.com To Offer Fans Real-Time Updates and On Demand Clips All Season Long

BURLINGTON, MA, March 28, 2013 – Comcast SportsNet is gearing up for the 2013 Red Sox season, scheduled to tip-off on Monday, April 1^st when the team heads to New York to compete against rival Yankees. Comcast SportsNet will once again be there for every Red Sox game this season, providing viewers with robust on-site coverage of their favorite team all season long and through interactive signature program “The Baseball Show” which debuts on Saturday, March 30^th at 10:00AM.

The BaseballShow presented by Twin River Casino is Comcast SportsNet’s seasonal signature baseball program and will makes its season debut on Saturday, March 30^th at 10 a.m. The show, which moved it’s timeslot up one hour this season to provide live analysis closer to gametime, will once again offer viewers three hours of in-depth Red Sox and baseball talk every Saturday morning. The Baseball Show is hosted by Bob Neumeier along with CSNNE.com Baseball Insider Sean McAdam, Comcast SportsNet Baseball Analyst Lou Merloni and Dan Shaughnessy, and will feature several special guests throughout the season. Fans will have the opportunity to interact with the show through a live chat on CSNNE.com, via Twitter, or by calling in to speak with the panel. Weekly episodes will originate from the Comcast SportsNet Studios in Burlington, with a live presence at Kenmore Square and Fenway Park.

Game day coverage begins on Monday, April 1^st with Comcast SportsNet’s McAdam and Jessica Moran providing live reports from New York as the Red Sox prepare to take on the Yankees in their season opener. Following a week of Red Sox on-the-road games, McAdam and Moran will return to Fenway Park on Monday, April 8^th for the Sox home opener against the Orioles with coverage and live hits throughout the day. The Felger & Mazz show will provide real-time updates and analysis as the home opener is being played, while Comcast SportsNet’s nightly studio shows will offer detailed post-game reaction. 2013 Red Sox coverage on Comcast SportsNet is presented by Jordan’s Furniture.

Comcast SportsNet signature shows including SportsNet Central and Sports Tonight will spend significant time in each program covering the Red Sox and other news from around the League. Some of Boston’s most respected and impartial baseball voices will all participate regularly in the network’s coverage, including Steve Buckley, Chris Gasper, Shaughnessy, Merloni, McAdam, Tony Massarotti, Michael Holley, and others. Additionally, when the season is over, Comcast SportsNet will once again beon-site this winter providing in-depth coverage from MLB’s Winter Meetings.

CSNNE.com, the online home of Comcast SportsNet, will provide fans with breaking news and analysis plus on-demand clips of the best moments from The Baseball Show, SportsNet Central and Sports Tonight. Fans can follow Red Sox Insider McAdam on Twitter (@Sean_McAdam).

About Comcast SportsNet New England

Comcast SportsNet New England reaches more than 4 million households in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Comcast SportsNet’s programming includes the Boston Celtics, New England Revolution, Chevrolet SportsNet Central, UNO’S Sports Tonight, Sports Sunday, Celtics Now, Celtics Courtside Club, The Baseball Show, Cross Check, New England Tailgate, New England Football Night, Football Day in New England including pre and post-game programs surrounding all Patriots games, CAA football, basketball and more. CSNNE.com, the online home of Comcast SportsNet, provides continuous news, video and in-depth, up-to-the-minute coverage of New England sports. Comcast SportsNet New England is part of the NBC Sports Group. Visit www.csnne.com for more information. Check local listings for the specific channel location for your area.

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Filed Under: Comcast, MLB

SiriusXM Offers Comprehensive Coverage of 2013 MLB Season

April 1, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

SiriusXM subscribers can access broadcasts of every regular season and postseason MLB game on mobile devices, online and on XM satellite radios

MLB Network Radio offers daily in-depth baseball talk and expert analysis;

New season of “Ripken Baseball” debuts April 3

NEW YORK – April 1, 2013 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), the Official Satellite Radio Partner of Major League Baseball and the Official Internet Radio Partner of MLB.com, will offer listeners comprehensive coverage of the 2013 MLB season with live play-by-play of every game plus daily in-depth talk, news and analysis on the MLB Network Radio channel.

SiriusXM subscribers can listen to live broadcasts of all regular season games, the All-Star Game and every Postseason game through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online at siriusxm.com as well as on XM satellite radios. Spanish-language broadcasts for some games are also available. Listeners can find channel assignments for games at www.siriusxm.com/mlbschedule.

In addition to MLB games, SiriusXM offers baseball fans 24 hour coverage of their sport on the MLB Network Radio channel, available on channel 89 for XM subscribers and channel 209 for Sirius Premier subscribers.

MLB Network Radio airs 365 days a year and showcases a daily lineup of call-in talk shows hosted by expert analysts like former GMs Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette, 1996 Rookie of the Year Todd Hollandsworth, former manager Kevin Kennedy, former All-Stars Mike Cameron, Cliff Floyd, Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton and Rico Petrocelli, plus Mike Ferrin, Jeff Joyce, Jim Memolo, Casey Stern and others, as well as simulcasts of MLB Network television programming, including the in-season studio show MLB Tonight.

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken will debut a new season of their weekly MLB Network Radio show, Ripken Baseball, on Wednesday, April 3 at 12:00 pm ET. After the season premiere, the show will air in its regular timeslot, Fridays at 12:00 pm ET, throughout the season.

SiriusXM subscribers listening to MLB games through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App and online have access to a suite of 30 play-by-play channels dedicated to streaming the official radio broadcasts of every MLB team. These channels give fans access to both the home and visiting team broadcasts for every MLB game, allowing them to hear their favorite team’s announcers all season long.

For more info, please visit www.siriusxm.com/mlbnetworkradio.

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About Sirius XM Radio

Filed Under: MLB, Sirius/XM

Comcast SportsNet Announces 2013 Phillies Programming including Live Opening Day Coverage

March 28, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

Expert Phillies Analysis Provided by former Major Leaguers Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis

PHILADELPHIA- (March 26, 2013) – The Philadelphia Phillies return to Comcast SportsNet for comprehensive coverage before, during and after every game on-air and online. Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network will air a total of 110 regular season games, all in high definition, with extensive Opening Day coverage, a weekly magazine show, pre and postgame coverage for every game, and exclusive features only available on CSNPhilly.com.

In addition to Comcast SportsNet’s stellar lineup of baseball experts, two former Major League players Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis will provide expert analysis on Phillies pre and postgame shows as well as the network’s news and talk programs.

Bottalico returns for his fifth year as a Phillies analyst after playing 12 seasons in the major leagues, including seven with the Philadelphia Phillies and an all-star appearance in 1996. Returning to the lineup this year is Davis, a catcher and first round draft pick from Malvern Prep, who played seven seasons in the majors.

Comcast SportsNet’s lineup for Opening Day includes “Phillies Focus,” “Daily News Live,” “SportsNite,” “Phillies Pregame Live,” and “Phillies Postgame Live.”

Comcast SportsNet Opening Day Schedule for Monday, April 1

11:30 a.m. Phillies Focus – Season Preview Special

5 p.m. Daily News Live

6 p.m. SportsNite

6:30 p.m. Phillies Pregame Live

7 p.m. Phillies vs. Braves on MyPHL 17

10 p.m. Phillies Postgame Live

10:30 p.m. SportsNite

Comcast SportsNet Home Opener Schedule for Friday, April 5

1:30 p.m. No Surrender: 2012 Phillies Video Yearbook

3 p.m. Phillies Pregame Live

4 p.m. Phillies vs. Royals

7 p.m. Phillies Postgame Live

10:30 p.m. SportsNite

2013 Broadcast Enhancements

Gregg Murphy returns as the Phillies field reporter, joining Phillies broadcasters Tom McCarthy, Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews. All Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Network broadcasts will be in high definition and will feature a new graphics package, updated score bug technology and enhanced statistical data.

All The Bases Covered

Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN), Marshall Harris (@mharrisCSN) and Leslie Gudel (@LeslieGudel) team up for comprehensive Phillies coverage during the 2013 season. As CSNPhilly.com’s Phillies Insider, Salisbury will report on the team both at home and on the road, providing feature stories, video blogs and Phillies chats for the website. Gudel and Harris will provide coverage on-air and online, including exclusive interviews and feature stories on the players, coaches and personalities that make the Phillies tick. Harris will also host Phillies Clubhouse this season.

Pre and Postgame Coverage

In addition to live game coverage, Comcast SportsNet delivers pre and post-game coverage and analysis. Before every game on Comcast SportsNet and The Comcast Network, viewers can catch the latest team developments, game previews and opposing team analysis on “Philly Sports Talk,” “SportsNite” and “Phillies Pregame Live.”

Following each match-up, Phillies fans get a game breakdown with stats and highlights, and a look ahead to the rest of the season on “Phillies Postgame Live.” Other features include manager Charlie Manuel’s press conferences and reaction from the clubhouse. Phillies Postgame Live analysis will be provided by former Major League ball players Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis.

Phillies Clubhouse

Completing Comcast SportsNet’s Phillies lineup is the weekly 30-minute feature series Phillies Clubhouse. “Phillies Clubhouse” illustrates the deep bond between the Phillies and their fans with off-field player profiles and behind-the-scenes stories about fans and the people who make the team run. We’ll look into the future of the game with regular minor league updates, and on this 20^th anniversary of the Phillies 1993 NL championship, we’ll look back at that magical team which captured the hearts of Phillies fans everywhere. This season also features “Beyond the Box Score,” in-depth breakdowns by analysts Ricky Bottalico and Ben Davis, to give viewers new insights into what happens on the field. “Phillies Clubhouse” airs most Mondays at 7 p.m.

CSNPhilly.com

Digital/Social Media

CSNPhilly.com’s Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) will provide exclusive player, coaches and management interviews, plus breaking news and in-depth features on CSNPhilly.com. He will also provide live reports for “Philly Sports Talk” and “SportsNite.” CSNPhilly.com columnist John Gonzalez (@GonzoCSN) and feature writer John Finger (@JFingerCSN) will also contribute to the site throughout the season.

CSNPhilly.com’s popular Phillies-themed online show, “Phightin Words” returns with Davis and Bottalico discussing the Phillies and responding to trends, answering fan questions from Twitter and Facebook, and dissecting upcoming series and player performance. Fans can join the conversation by using the hashtag #PhilliesTalk.

Fans can also follow all games online with CSNPhilly.com’s “In-Game Live” feature which allows fans to follow the game live with play by play, stats and Comcast SportsNet tweets.

Filed Under: Comcast, MLB

Buck on McCarver: “I’ve Learned More from Him Than Anybody…Including My Father”

March 28, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment

MCCARVER STEPS DOWN AS LEAD MLB ON FOX ANALYST

AFTER 2013 SEASON

Highlights of 30 Year Broadcasting Career & Quotes from Wednesday’s Press Call

Buck on McCarver: “I’ve Learned More from Him Than Anybody I’ve Ever Been Around in This Business, Including My Father.”

This afternoon, Tim McCarver, who for three decades has been baseball’s premier television analyst, announced that he is stepping down from his lead MLB on FOX position upon conclusion of this season’s World Series. McCarver was joined by Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, News Corporation Senior Executive Vice President David Hill, Former FOX Sports President and Executive Producer Ed Goren, FOX Sports President and COO Eric Shanks, FOX Sports Executive Vice President of Production John Entz and his broadcast partner at FOX Sports for the last 17 years, Joe Buck.

Below are some highlights of McCarver’s illustrious broadcasting career and quotes from today’s announcement.

TIM McCARVER

· 2012 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

· Only MLB analyst to work for all four major broadcast networks

· Won three straight Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst (2000 – 2002)

· Worked on-air every postseason since 1984 (28 consecutive)

· Called 23 World Series – a record

· Called 20 All-Star Games – a record

· Called Mark McGwire’s record breaking 62nd regular season home run in 1998

· Teamed with Joe Buck, his MLB on FOX play-by-play partner, a record 17 years as the network’s lead national baseball broadcast team

· 23 seasons as a local team analyst

· One of only three broadcasters to call local games for the Mets and Yankees

· 30 seasons as a national network MLB analyst

Selig on McCarver’s contribution to Major League Baseball: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Tim for seven decades of service in one form or another to Major League Baseball. He’s certainly been a Hall of Fame broadcaster, but to me, more importantly, he has always been a great symbol of class. He’s a great analyst, and through all of our great events his remarkable composure has been a pleasure. On behalf of all the 30 clubs and everybody associated, we congratulate and thank him for all he’s done for the great game of baseball.”

Buck on what McCarver has meant to his career: “When I was 27 and got the chance, thanks to David Hill and Ed Goren, to do the World Series, I was sitting there in Yankee Stadium scared out of my mind and the biggest asset I had was Tim McCarver. The minute he engaged me in a baseball conversation or agreed with any opinion I might have, I had instant credibility. I was probably there before I was ready but I got through that World Series because of Tim. Fast forward all these years, to losing my voice a couple seasons ago, I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate or somebody that rooted harder for me than Tim McCarver. He’s become one of my best friends and somebody that I treasure. For him to share the booth with me and allow me the opportunity to have the time with him is a blessing.”

Hill on McCarver’s impact on FOX Sports: “He is, quite frankly, one of the best broadcasters I’ve ever worked with. Not only that I have worked with, but that I’ve listened to. I’ve worked in three countries and I’ve worked with some very, very talented individuals, but I put Tim right at the very top of the tree. Ed (Goren) and I would sit in the truck and look at each other when Tim would say, ‘This is going to happen,’ and it did. We knew it wasn’t guessing because to use the term ‘guessing’ there’s an element of doubt. Tim would know. He is one of those unique individuals that makes you so proud to work in this profession, and he’s leaving huge, huge shoes. This season, this World Series, this All-Star Game, for all of us here, is going to be so bittersweet because we love working with him and we know that he’s hanging his boots up from the day-by-day workload. It’s his call, and we respect him greatly, and we love him to bits.”

Shanks on McCarver’s best qualities: “My fondness for Tim over the last few years coming back to FOX Sports is probably nothing short of a man crush. That goes beyond what his performance is on the air, which he’s probably taught me more about baseball than my own father. It is bittersweet, but I do think that a lot of the DNA of Tim is toughness as a man, toughness as a broadcaster, toughness as a player, is something that is and will be a part of FOX Sports. As much as Tim wants to be part of FOX Sports 1 as time goes on, FOX Sports will continue to do what we can to fit into his schedule. I look forward to making sure that the path that Tim has set for baseball coverage here at FOX continues.”

Buck on one of the best lessons he learned from McCarver: “The word that you use to describe Tim McCarver is tough. He was tough as a player and he is as tough as a broadcaster. What makes him great is that he doesn’t let criticism bother him. He takes it in and he moves on. He doesn’t mind the online stuff, which is not easy to do in this world. He takes it and he moves on. He doesn’t mind if a manger or player doesn’t like what he has to say because everything he says is based in his opinion, it is well thought out and said for the right reasons. He has taught me more about handling all of that stuff than anybody. Nobody is even close.”

Buck on McCarver’s decision to step down as lead MLB on FOX analyst: “I don’t want to do these games with anybody but Tim. I respect his decision to step aside but nobody will be missed in this weird business more than Tim will be missed by me. For a kid that got into this business because of his father, and for somebody that needed everything he could get out of his partner at a young age, he’s every bit as important to me as my Dad. I love him like a brother and I’m lucky to have been with him. I’ve learned more from him than anybody I’ve ever been around in this business, including my father.”

McCarver on his decision to make this year his last as FOX Sports’ lead MLB analyst: “I don’t think that there was any one event that said, ‘this is too much.’ I just thought that it has to end sometime. Timing is everything. I feel like the timing is right for this year.”

Buck on McCarver’s call of what proved to be the final pitch in the 2001 World Series: “In the 2001 World Series, when that World Series came down to one pitch from Mariano Rivera and one floating base hit from Luis Gonzalez, Tim McCarver said before the final pitch the danger of playing the infield in with Rivera on the mound, saying there are a lot of jam shots with Rivera pitching and that there’s a lot of room behind the infielders. That World Series ended on the next pitch the way he described before it happened. That’s just – put your headset down and walk out and know that you’re the best ever to do what you’re doing.”

McCarver on calling the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks: “There were so many emotions that surrounded those telecasts. Games 4 & 5 at Yankee Stadium were two of the most remarkable World Series games ever played. You can’t plan on anything like that. There a lot of things you say during a game and however prescient you want to be, sometimes those things don’t pan out. I still have a lot of people coming up and talking to me about that moment. That was only one moment in many emotional moments in that World Series and it was extraordinary and a real privilege to be a part of.”