In Boston, Anthony Gulizia writes the World Series is MLB's "premier event, calling for first-rate performances during the pregame ceremonies and in-game breaks." Red Sox Senior Adviser DR. CHARLES STEINBERG has "worked closely with the MLB to coordinate the talent and the placement." Steinberg before Thursday's Game 2 said, "Some things you defer on and some things you assert on. In one of these first two games, we'd like a Boston touch that allows us, in a small and subtle way, to recognize what kind of year this has been in Boston." MLB Senior VP/Special Events MARLA MILLER said the league late in the season starts "to get feedback from clubs regarding pregame ceremonies for ceremonial first pitches or anthem recommendations." Gulizia notes planning for the World Series is a "thorough and collaborative process between the MLB, Fox, and the teams that are playing, but the MLB does have the lead" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/25). Meanwhile, among those in attendance at Thursday night's game were Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, MSNBC's JOE SCARBOROUGH, CNN's JOHN KING, singer KENNY CHESNEY and actors JON HAMM, ANDY GARCIA, CAMERON DIAZ and MIKE O'MALLEY (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/25).
THEM'S THE JOKES: In N.Y., Bart Hubbuch reported Fox' PAM OLIVER on Thursday "flopped as host of a New York-New Jersey Super Bowl breakfast for regional business leaders." Oliver drew "gasps, groans and more than a few boos for her odd and insulting comments during a roundtable" with Giants and Jets owners. She "surprised and angered the crowd by alternately ridiculing Jets fans, coach REX RYAN, the Giants’ current woes and New Yorkers in general during the 30-minute session" (NYPOST.com, 10/24). Fox in a statement said, "It was clear to [a] majority of those attending today's event that Pam's comments were in jest, and many attending complimented her afterward" (THE DAILY).
ON THE BOOKSHELF: In Toronto, Dave Feschuk writes it will be "frustrating for fans of Toronto’s long-struggling teams to read certain passages" of former MLSE President & CEO RICHARD PEDDIE’s new book "DREAM JOB," in which Peddie "recounts his business success and sporting missteps in frank detail." He "admits he had concerns beyond the Ws." Peddie's book is "filled with plenty of tidbits NHL and NBA fans will find fascinating" and "shows a humble side he rarely betrayed when he was on the job" (TORONTO STAR, 10/25).
DONE DEAL: Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY on Thursday officially took over the Boston Globe after a judge "lifted a temporary restraining order that had blocked" the $70M deal since last Friday. The deal includes the Globe, Boston.com, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette and "all related properties," including the Globe's Dorchester HQs, "seen as the most valuable asset" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/25).
NAMES: The USOC named Gold medal-winning swimmer KATIE LEDECKY its SportsWoman of the Year for ’12-13. The Committee also named skier TED LIGETY its SportsMan of the Year and tennis players BOB and MIKE BRYAN its Olympic Team of the Year (WASHINGTONTIMES.com, 10/24)…. Boxer VITALI KLITSCHKO announced that he “intends to run for the presidency of Ukraine” in ’15 (WSJ.com, 10/24)….IRS officials said that MICHAEL STERN was sentenced “to five years in federal prison” after he “swindled about” $3M from Chargers LB DWIGHT FREENEY. Stern was “ordered to pay” Freeney about $2.6M in restitution (LATIMES.com, 10/24)….Patriots QB TOM BRADY and wife GISELE BUNDCHEN “are splurging” $14M on an apartment in the One Madison Park tower in N.Y. (N.Y. POST, 10/25).
