Former Astros play-by-play announcer Milo Hamilton yesterday said that he is "undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of the chronic form of leukemia from which he has suffered since 1974 and that he has called the final major league game of his 63-year career in radio." In Houston, David Barron reported Hamilton, 85, "had hoped to make a road trip with the Astros this year to Detroit to call a game at the 60th ballpark in which he has worked Major League Baseball games since 1953" (CHRON.com, 7/23).
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU: THE BIG LEAD's Jason McIntyre reported former ESPN college football sideline reporter Jenn Brown "has signed a deal with the NFL Network" and will begin her new gig tomorrow hosting "Total Access." Brown, who left ESPN in March, will take over hosting "Total Access" for Amber Theoharis, who is on maternity leave. Brown said that she "will likely host the show through the preseason, and then she'll be in the rotation with Theoharis and others during the season" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 7/23).
SILVER RUSH: In DC, Ezra Klein wrote newly hired ESPN analyst Nate Silver's "reputation as a math wizard often obscures his innovations as a journalist," but it is the "latter that makes him such a valuable hire for ESPN and ABC News." Lots of people "can run the numbers," but Silver can "use those numbers to tell readers an engaging, fast-paced and constantly changing story about subjects they care about." Klein: "That’s a rare talent" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/23).
BELTWAY BATTLE: In DC, Dan Steinberg reports former NFLer Chris Cooley will "replace industry veteran Andy Pollin" on ESPN Radio 980 DC's afternoon drive program. The new show will be called "The Drive, with Cooley and Czabe," will debut on Aug. 1 and "continue to run from 4-7 on weekdays." Pollin "has co-hosted 'The Sports Reporters' with Steve Czaban for 13 years, making it one of the longest running local sports radio programs." He remains with ESPN Radio 980 parent company Red Zebra Broadcasting "for now while mulling his options." Cooley in his new gig will "go head-to-head with former teammate LaVar Arrington," who co-hosts DC-based WNEW-FM's "LaVar & Dukes" afternoon drive show (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/23).
PEACHY KEEN: In Atlanta, Ken Sugiura cites a source as saying that WXIA-NBC sports anchor Randy Waters, Georgia Southern Univ. play-by-play announcer Chris Blair and Butler Univ. play-by-play man Brandon Gaudin are "among the final candidates" to replace former Georgia Tech play-by-play announcer Wes Durham, who recently left for a position with FS South (AJC.com, 7/22)....In Atlanta, Rodney Ho reported Larry Smith, who spent three years as a host at Turner Sports, is "taking over the newly created CBS Atlanta sports director job" (ACCESSATLANTA.com, 7/18).
