Mark Grace Takes Leave From D'Backs TV Booth After Second DUI Arrest In 15 Months

Grace taking leave of absence following most recent DUI arrest

D’Backs TV analyst Mark Grace is “taking a leave of absence from the broadcast booth ... after he was arrested by Scottsdale Police Thursday night in a DUI case,” according to the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Authorities said that Grace was “driving his vehicle with a suspended license and without an interlock device, as was required because of a previous DUI in Scottsdale on May 30, 2011.” D'Backs Special Assistant to the President & CEO Luis Gonzalez took Grace's spot on the FS Arizona games on Friday and Saturday, and TV analyst Joe Garagiola Sr., was scheduled to work yesterday's game (AZCENTRAL.com, 8/24). In Phoenix, Paola Boivin noted Grace's leave "comes on the heels of play-by-play voice Daron Sutton's mysterious suspension in late June." Sutton has yet to return to the booth. Boivin wrote Grace is “one of the best in the business,” and he is “equal parts insightful and affable.” But if he is "convicted for this DUI, he shouldn't be allowed to stay in the broadcast booth.” Any other option “would send a message of tolerance that the Diamondbacks shouldn't want any part of” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 8/25).

BRENLY SHOOTS DOWN RUMORS: Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly called speculation he may replace Grace in the D'Backs' booth in '13 was nothing more than "rain delay filler." In Chicago, Paul Sullivan noted Brenly is "nearing the end of his second four-year deal to broadcast Cubs games, and there's no certainty he'll be back" next year. His "outspoken nature has sometimes put him at odds with Cubs players," but that kind of "blunt commentary has endeared Brenly to many Cubs fans who appreciate his candor" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/26). Notably, Brenly was the manager of the '01 D'Backs team that won the World Series; Grace was a 1B on the team (THE DAILY).