In Phoenix, Bob McManaman noted D'Backs TV play-by-play announcer Daron Sutton "was not in the broadcast booth at Chase Field" for Friday night's game against the Cubs. D'Backs Senior VP/Communications Josh Rawitch said, "We made a change in the broadcast talent lineup and Daron will be taking some time off." Sutton "disputed any notion that he had been suspended and called the entire matter 'a personal situation.'" Sutton said, "I'm fine. I've got some personal stuff going on in my life that I need to get straightened out." Sources confirmed that Sutton "isn't facing any legal trouble" and is "still being paid while he is absent" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/23).
OUTLOOK UNCERTAIN: USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand notes Showtime Sports Senior Dir of Communications Chris DeBlasio yesterday "had no comment on Antonio Tarver's future as a Showtime boxing analyst and whether he'll appear for his next scheduled assignment" July 28. Tarver "tested positive for an anabolic steroid in a sample taken before his June 2 fight," and "didn't work Showtime's Saturday boxing coverage" (USA TODAY, 6/25).
FAUX PAS? In Tampa, Tom Jones writes, "I like Sun Sports analyst Brian Anderson, but I wasn't a fan Saturday evening when he slammed his own crew, even though he might not have realized how badly he was doing so." During the Rays-Phillies broadcast, "a graphic appeared on the screen showing that Rays first baseman Carlos Pena led all interleague batters in walks." Anderson said, "That's just a waste of my time and everybody else's." Jones writes, "Anderson shot a hole in all of it and undermined the credibility of the broadcast in general and a few individuals in particular" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/25).
SUNDAY NIGHT HOCKEY? The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin notes the "possibility of a second network night in the next Canadian TV broadcast contract due in 2014 might be the NHL's solution to extending its brand in Canada while keeping as many Canadian TV partners in the game." The idea "emerged after a discussion this weekend" at the NHL Draft in Pittsburgh with NHL COO John Collins. Collins said, "I like the fact that Sunday Night Football has become the No. 1 show on television in the U.S. ... That gives us lots of hope for our upcoming Canadian TV rights discussions" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/25).
TIGER BLOOD AND ADONIS DNA: Actor Charlie Sheen appeared in the broadcast booth, along with former MLBer Todd Zeile, during Fox’ coverage of Braves-Red Sox Saturday afternoon with broadcasters Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. In the fourth inning, Buck said, “Sitting in with the band tonight is Charlie Sheen.” Buck: “You’re here because we showed a clip from a show you have debuting at the end of the month called ‘Anger Management.’” Sheen then said, “I brought you a gift,” and gave Buck and McCarver baseball hats with “Anger Management” on the front and said, “Shameless plug.” McCarver asked, “Is there going to be a ‘Major League 5?’” Sheen: “Well, we’re working on three first. I’d probably be too old to do the fifth, or at least I’d be a manager and owner at that point. But we’re definitely working on the third because the third one that happened wasn’t really the third. It was some other version" (“Yankees-Mets,” Fox, 6/23).
