People & Personalities: Joe Morgan Replaces Reynolds On LLWS

Morgan Joins ABC’s Coverage Of Little League World Series

Joe Morgan will replace Harold Reynolds as analyst for ABC’s coverage of the Little League World Series, teaming with Brent Musburger and Orel Hershiser, according to Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. ESPN “has yet to finalize its cable coverage” of the event. Meanwhile, Dick Enberg and Ian Eagle will be the play-by-play announcers for CBS’ coverage of the U.S. Open. Eagle was a part-time late-night host last year. NFL Network’s Rich Eisen shared duties with Eagle last year, but will not be part of this year’s coverage. Pat O’Brien will be the new full-time host (N.Y. POST, 8/4).

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: In Toronto, William Houston reports CFL Dir of Communications Perry Lefko has resigned as Global Sports’ CFL insider and has been replaced by the Fan 590’s Mike Hogan. Lefko said that he quit Global “because of time and logistical commitments to the CFL.” Houston last week wrote Lefko’s appearances “were inappropriate” given his job with the league, and Lefko said that he “agreed, in part, ... that he could not deliver an independent commentary” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/4).

SWITCHING DOMAINS: Mike Lange agreed to a one-year contract to become the radio voice of the Penguins. Lange was fired as the team’s TV voice in June by FSN Pittsburgh after 30 years with the team. He was replaced by Paul Steigerwald, who was the team’s radio voice. The Penguins, who had “been aware of FSN’s intentions and did not strenuously object, used the opportunity to bring Lange back to radio, where he started with the team.” The decision by the Penguins to offer Lange “only a one-year contract was a surprise.” Lange: “I had to do what they wanted. There was not a lot of room for negotiation” (POST-GAZETTE, 8/4).

FLYING HIGH: Former Flyers player Keith Jones has joined the team’s broadcast booth as an analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Jackson (Comcast SportsNet). In Philadelphia, Marc Narducci reports Jones will remain in his role at OLN and is “expected to miss some Flyers games due to OLN commitments.” Jones said that he “will be on a minimum of 60 Flyers telecasts.” Jones replaces Gary Dornhoefer. Dornhoefer was named Flyers Ambassador of Hockey and will “appear periodically as a studio analyst” for CSN (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/4).

CUBS WRITER OUT: In Chicago, Teddy Greenstein reports Chicago Tribune Cubs beat writer Mike Kiley “is out of a job at the paper,” and sources said that the cause “was expense-account irregularity” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/4).