In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette wrote in whatever "context you view" NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller, his "dual impact on the sport as a player and announcer is undeniable." As a broadcaster, Miller was "known for his refreshing candor long before that reputation was attached" to TNT's Charles Barkley. But when it "comes to Miller's most compelling TV moments," he readily "admits he wishes he had a mulligan for some things said on the air" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/12).
GOLD RUSHED: DEADSPIN's Dave McKenna noted Motor Racing Network radio announcer Eli Gold "didn't show up for Tuesday night's broadcast" of "NASCAR Live," his weekly syndicated radio show. A source said that MRN, which is owned by NASCAR, "took away Gold's microphone, suspending him due to an incident that allegedly took place last month" at the Sprint Cup race in Richmond. Gold worked Talladega a week later, but "was not in the MRN booth" for last weekend's race at Kansas Speedway (DEADSPIN.com, 5/12).
SHARE THE FAITH: In Boston, Chad Finn notes ESPN's Sean McDonough's new role as the play-by-play voice for "MNF" this season is suited for his "prime-time talents." The net's decision to pair McDonough with Jon Gruden "seems to have been universally applauded" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/13). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes McDonough is a "good-hands, good-faith guy." He "doesn't pander to undeserving coaches or easily suffer players given to acts of extreme self-worship and counterproductive team play." Even better, McDonough "figures he's not speaking to viewers who don't know or can't see any better" (N.Y. POST, 5/13).
AROUND THE RINGS: NBC Sports yesterday announced Arlo White and Kate Markgraf will call the USWNT's matches during the Rio Games. In DC, Steven Goff cited sources as saying that CSN Mid-Atlantic's Sebastian Salazar "has been named to the NBC Sports' crew" in Rio to serve as "on-site reporter and handle pregame and postgame interviews, as well as off-day stories" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/12)....In Philadelphia, Bob Cooney noted 76ers color analyst and former NBAer Alaa Abdelnaby will "call men's basketball in Arabic" at the Rio Games, while 76ers play-by-play announcer Marc Zumoff "will do play-by-play for the U.S. women's games on NBC" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 5/11).
NOTES: THE BIG LEAD's Ryan Glasspiegel reported FS1's Mike Garafolo is leaving for NFL Network. Garafolo in his new role is "expected to continue as a reporter both online and in television," as well as be "involved with national coverage, as well as a revamped morning show" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 5/12)....In St. Louis, Dan Caesar notes FS Midwest MLB Cardinals analyst Al Hrabosky is "recovering after undergoing a recent medical procedure and is being replaced in the booth by Jim Edmonds for the team's games this week in Southern California." Hrabosky is "in a four-man rotation of analysts in the booth." It "remains to be determined who will fill in for him in the booth" for the Cardinals' series against Milwaukee at the end of the month (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/13)....In California, Jeff Fletcher notes Angels radio broadcaster Terry Smith will "miss a game for the first time since June 15, 2013, snapping a 452-game streak." Smith will be "attending his godson's wedding on the East Coast" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/13).
