The debut of Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs on CSN Philadelphia during yesterday's Blue Jays-Phillies Spring Training game was "an enjoyable listen for a start," according to John Smallwood of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy was "in control, not only calling the action but directing the booth to keep things smooth." The trio "seemed well-prepared to work together, with no incidents of talking over one another." It appears "obvious that these guys have worked to develop a booth relationship, so they were prepared to get out of the gate running and build from there." What was "immediately clear is that Stairs and Moyer both know the game and will not be afraid to put their 40-some years of combined major league experience on the table." The Phillies "look as if they have something that can grow and gain acceptance from the Philadelphia audience" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 2/27).
SEPARATION OF POWERS: In Baltimore, David Selig reported MASN has "done away with the combined broadcast booth for Orioles-Nationals games this season, opting for separate telecasts when the teams play their interleague series in July." The combined broadcasts done since '07 "would feature an Orioles play-by-play voice combined with a Nationals analyst, or vice versa." It is "fair to say that many fans found those broadcasts to be awkward" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 2/26).
