 |
Frazier called more than 1,800 Rockies
games over 19 years |
In Denver, Dusty Saunders noted Rockies TV broadcaster George Frazier "will say goodbye to Root Sports and Rockies fans" at the end of season. Frazier, who has called more than 1,800 Rockies games over 19 years, said, "I'll miss all things Rockies. But it's time. After 28 years (overall) in broadcasting booths, I want a new challenge." Saunders noted Frazier "made his decision a year ago, telling Root Sports management that he didn't want to renew his contract after this season." The Tulsa resident said, "I could work in the minor leagues, and Oklahoma Univ. has new TV technology which interests me. My career door is wide open" (
DENVER POST, 8/7).
THE BEDFORDS AND THE BEES: In Atlanta, Ken Sugiura reported former Georgia Tech C Sean Bedford "will succeed Roddy Jones as the color analyst" for the football team’s radio broadcasts. Jones "left the broadcast team in July to be a sideline reporter on ACC Network broadcasts" (AJC.com, 8/8). Sugiura wrote hiring Bedford "was a bit of a no-brainer," as he has been "part of the broadcast team as a pre-game show co-host and a backup sideline reporter for the past two years." Bedford, who is "insightful, an effective communicator and passionate about Tech," was the only candidate interviewed (AJC.com, 8/10).
NATE THE GREAT: In Detroit, Dave Birkett notes former NFLer Nate Burleson on Thursday "will return to Ford Field as a color analyst for the first of three exhibition games." Burleson until now "has worked primarily in studio, where he is able to flash his charm and use his knowledge to analyze a wide range of players and topics in today's NFL." He said, "I like the studio. I'm comfortable in the studio." However, joining longtime broadcaster Matt Shepard and ex-Lion Rob Rubick in the booth "brings a new set of challenges." Burleson said that he will "bring unique insight and perspective" to the broadcasts (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 8/11).
SOCK HOP: In San Diego, Kirk Kenney reports Craig Elsten yesterday was named "as the play-by-play voice" of the AHL San Diego Gulls. In addition to broadcasting all games during the Gulls' inaugural AHL campaign, Elsten "will host weekly podcasts and video features and have responsibilities with the team's communications department." Gulls games will be broadcast on XEPRS-AM and ESPN Radio 1700 San Diego. Elsten has been the voice of the MISL San Diego Sockers for the past six years, a position he "left to accept the Gulls assignment" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/11).
THREE'S A CROWDER: In Miami, Barry Jackson noted a month after being dropped by WQAM-AM, former NFLer Channing Crowder "was re-hired by the station." He will join Marc Hochman and Zach Krantz from 2:00-6:00pm ET weekdays beginning today. WQAM Program Dir Ryan Maguire said, "This was something we’ve been working on for awhile." WQAM "dropped Crowder’s and Adam Kuperstein’s 1-3 p.m. talk show in July because it wanted to go to exclusively with four-hour talk shows, like other CBS-owned stations" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/10).
