In Ohio, Bob Finnan reported Mike Snyder, Matt Dery and Jeff Phelps are the "three most viable candidates" to replace retiring Joe Tait as Cavaliers radio announcer, but there is a "new name rumored to be a strong candidate: ESPN Radio's Marc Kestecher," who previously worked at ESPN Radio 850 Cleveland. Others "known to have applied" for the job include Cleveland State Univ. men's basketball radio announcer Al Pawlowski and former Cavaliers TV announcer Michael Reghi. Finnan noted Snyder "filled in for Tait for all but nine games this season," and sources "wonder why he hasn't already been given the job" (Lorain MORNING JOURNAL, 4/24). Meanwhile, Tait said that he is "at peace with his decision to call it a career." Tait: "It is time to go. I'm very pleased with my decision to depart. It came at the right time." Tait's retirement "will not prevent" him from calling Mount Union football games on television, as he "plans to return to that role this fall" (Canton REPOSITORY, 4/26).
HARD FOR ME TO SAY I'M SORRY: USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand wrote in a move that seemed "doubly odd," TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley "apologized for something he said on-air -- but maybe didn't need to." Barkley said that "he 'screwed up' in saying the New York Knicks would drop coach Mike D'Antoni before next season." Barkley: "When you're on television, you should never talk about someone getting hired and fired." But Hiestand wrote "speculation about D'Antoni's future -- especially after the Knicks were swept out of the first round Sunday -- is not unwarranted" (USA TODAY, 4/25).
KEEPING HIS FOCUS: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote Knicks TV analyst Walt Frazier was "more legit analyst than pom-pom clown" during MSG Network's Knicks playoffs coverage. Raissman: "Watching the way he's working during the playoffs ... turns the clock back to his earlier broadcasting days." MSG officials "should now be focused more on Frazier's performance than his sartorial splendor." When they "make clothes the thing, they minimize Frazier's contribution to the telecast" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/24).
ALL QUIET FOR THE MOMENT: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick reported there is "no word yet as to whether NFL Network has decided to replace" Bob Papa with Gus Johnson on the net's Thursday night game telecasts. Papa and Johnson "both recently worked an in-house taped game alongside" new NFL Net game analyst Mike Mayock. Mushnick wrote knowing Johnson is being "seriously considered" for the role "says plenty about the folks running NFLN" (N.Y. POST, 4/24).
