People & Personalities: Papa Praised For "Chronicle Live" Role

Writer Thinks Papa Would Be Ideal For A Show Like "OTL"

In S.F., Rich Lieberman wrote Raiders play-by-play announcer and CSN Bay Area’s Greg Papa, who is "clearly in a league of his own as one of the Bay Area's premier broadcasters," would be an "ideal figure to do a show, similar to ESPN's outstanding 'Outside the Lines.'" Papa is "very adept at the interview technique; not afraid to ask a controversial question, and commanding the respect of his interview subjects." Lieberman noted Papa's "grilling" of MLB Giants Managing General Partner Bill Neukom on CSN Bay Area's "Chronicle Live" earlier this year was "both informative and entertaining on a segment dealing with the A's interest in moving to San Jose." The "Chronicle Live" format "works well as a daily forum of various Bay Area sports writers and a featured interview subject, but it would be great to see Papa do a more detailed, pithy subject matter, similar to 'OTL'" (SFGATE.com, 7/18).

SEEKING TO STAY: In Dallas, Barry Horn noted MLB Rangers TV play-by-play announcer Josh Lewin's contract is "up after this season," and it is "unusual that it hasn't yet been extended or a new one put in its place." Lewin, who has been in the role since '02, said that he has "talked to management and expects to be back next season and for many more." Meanwhile, TV analyst Tom Grieve's contract runs through '10, and he said that he has had "broadcast contract 'discussions' with four different bosses" -- former Rangers Presidents Tom Schieffer, Mike Cramer, Jim Lites and Jeff Cogen (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/18).

NOTES: In Sacramento, Bill Bradley reports former NBA Kings pregame and postgame TV host Jim Kozimor returns to KHTK-FM today "with a daily noon-3 p.m. show" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/20)....In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote considering new ESPN Ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer's "track record in TV, which includes some entangling alliances," appointing him to the post is "kind of like appointing Don King the commissioner of boxing" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/19).