People & Personalities: Vasgersian Apologizes For Humor Attempt

Vasgersian Apologizes For Humor  Attempt While Player On Stretcher

MLB Network's Matt Vasgersian Tuesday apologized for comparing a member of the Rockies' EMT staff to Eagles QB Donovan McNabb while a clip was shown of Rockies RF Brad Hawpe being taken off the field after being hit by a baseball in the back of the neck. Vasgersian: "I picked a horrible spot to do a celebrity look-a-like and knew it as soon as I opened my mouth how insensitive it must have sounded at that moment to try to inject levity. ... I’ve been grinding on it ever since last night and again, my timing was just impeccably bad" ("MLB Tonight," MLB Net, 4/28). Vasgersian also e-mailed an apology to several blogs, and sources said that he is "sincerely sorry for the comments." BIZ OF BASEBALL's Maury Brown wrote, "The fact that Vasgersian went so far as to take his apology directly to the fans shows he has a deep concern for what they think" (BIZOFBASEBALL.com, 4/28).

BALL CALLS: In L.A., Ted Green wrote Dodgers play-by-play announcer Vin Scully is "having a heckuva time correctly ID'ing the pitches," as "probably at least a third of the time, the fastball he calls is actually a slider, the curve is a fastball and a [change-up] isn't a change at all -- it's something entirely different." Green: "He's Vin Scully. There's no one like him. I admire his professionalism and remain awed by his prodigious talent." But "a fastball is a fastball, and it's not something else" (LATIMES.com, 4/29).

LIKING CHUCKY: In St. Petersburg, Gary Shelton writes of former NFL coach Jon Gruden's work during NFL Network's coverage of the Draft, "He was fresh, he was funny. He was informed, he was insightful. He looked like a guy having a ball, and he helped viewers have one, too." NFL Network Exec Producer Eric Weinberger: "We were very impressed." Shelton writes Gruden would be "good in a studio, but personally, I'd love to her him as a game analyst." Shelton: "Eventually, I think he could be the best in the business." Weinberger: "His potential is unlimited. He's candid. He's edgy" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 4/30).

ON THE NEXT BUS OUT? On Long Island, Neil Best reported it is "likely NBC football analyst Jerome Bettis will not have his contract renewed for the coming season and beyond" (NEWSDAY.com, 4/29).