In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes former MLBer Pete Rose’s first three days as a studio analyst for FS1 this week suggest that he "might be terrific." His baseball IQ "is high, he’s funny and he’s opinionated." Watching him "is to observe a mouth hustling even if his 74-year-old body no longer can." He "talks almost whenever he pleases and occasionally speaks directly at players on the screen as if he were managing them." He "is raw but smart" and "still has a swagger, especially when he stands on the set with a bat." Bringing Rose on to FS1 three consecutive nights "raised the possibility that the network will use him more than the 20 times written into his contract" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/15). In Miami, Barry Jackson writes Rose "was glib, prepared, candid and generally impressive." His greatest asset as a broadcaster "is that he tells you exactly what he thinks, without any filter or artificial softening of criticism." Rose "has that Jeff Van Gundy quality of saying whatever comes to mind" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/15).
OH, BROTHERS: USA TODAY's Gary Mihoces noted NBC on-track horse racing reporter Donna Barton Brothers "prefers reporting from the saddle" than reporting trackside. Barton Brothers: "It's the most comfortable thing I do, to be honest with you. When I first started in television it was unnatural for me to be standing in one place … with a microphone held up to my face." Mihoces noted Barton Brothers' goal "is to capture the emotions of the winner and get insights." She said, "The point is that I can be there soon enough to capture emotion. It's impossible to capture an emotion when you're the third person talking to that person" (USATODAY.com, 5/14).
ED-UCATION IN HORSES: In Toronto, Steve Buffery noted NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk will call the Preakness on Saturday for the net, following up on his work two weeks ago at the Kentucky Derby. He calls working the top horse races a "dream come true." Olczyk: "For me, there’s nothing better than hockey and horses. ... To be able to combine the two and be able to go back and forth is certainly a great thrill and privilege." Buffery noted how Olczyk "become involved with horse and broadcasting was a fluke." During the '94-95 lockout, Olczyk "was invited by the Meadowlands Racetrack people to handicap some races and do racing analysis for their in-house show." After the Rangers won the '94 Stanley Cup, Olczyk took the trophy to the Meadowlands "for a private party and built up a relationship with the people there" (TORONTO SUN, 5/14).
FOX TROTTA: In Charlotte, Mark Washburn wrote this is a “big year” on the NASCAR circuit for FS1’s Danielle Trotta. She is co-host of the net’s “NASCAR Race Hub” with Adam Alexander and John Roberts, and “has moved up to host of the pre-race show ‘NASCAR RaceDay’ and ‘NASCAR RaceDay Xfinity.’” She also “handles various NASCAR specials and events.” Her expanded duties mean she is “spending far more time at the tracks this year, rather than just anchoring shows” from FS1’s Charlotte production hub (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 5/12).
WELCOME ABOARD: Washington Post Sports Editor Matt Vita on Thursday announced the paper has hired columnist Kevin Blackistone. In a memo, Vita noted Blackistone will be "writing regular commentary ... on topics ranging from out local sports teams to the relationship between sports and major social issues." He also will appear on Post TV. Blackistone in the past has written for the Dallas Morning News and currently appeared on ESPN's "Around The Horn" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/14).
