In Seattle, Nick Eaton noted the Mariners announced the hiring of Aaron Goldsmith “to be Rick Rizzs’ full-time partner in the radio booth.” The organization “rotated several people through that role since Dave Niehaus’ death in 2010, and wanted to bring someone on for continuity and consistency.” Goldsmith served as the announcer for the Triple-A Int’l League Pawtucket Red Sox last year, and with the Double-A Texas League Frisco RoughRiders before that (SEATTLEPI.com, 1/17).
OVERKILL DOWN UNDER: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick notes every televised match at the Australian Open “must undergo an on-site panel preview spoken by at least four of ESPN’s rotating experts.” Before the match has even begun, “it has been beaten to death.” As the match is played, “no fewer than three more ESPN voices are heard over it.” The in-match commentary, “while often helpful at the start, is so relentless that one eventually can’t distinguish words from the sound of a leaf-blower.” ESPN “knows no other way to do things than to over-do things” (N.Y. POST, 1/18).
COMING ABOARD: Golf HOFer Lanny Wadkins will be Golf Channel’s lead analyst for the net’s 22 Champions Tour events this season. He also is scheduled to appear on various GC programs throughout the year. Wadkins was CBS Sports’ lead golf analyst from ’02-06 (Golf Channel).
