In Chicago, Daryl Van Schouwen reported White Sox broadcasters Ken Harrelson and Steve Stone had a "sit-down 'clearing of the air' talk last week." Sources said that the two, who are in their ninth year together, have "never really hit it off ... due to the absence of back-and-forth, give-and-take baseball discussions on air." Harrelson said that the meeting "was needed." He said, "When things don’t come easy, and there is a little friction, if you don’t solve it, it will fester." Stone: "Maybe (it) needs to happen every few years. The end result is there is a much better feeling in the booth, much more cooperation and he’s much more likely to make an observation that I can elaborate on" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/31).
SUNDAY, MONDAY, HAPPY DAYS: ESPN's Sean McDonough said it "still really hasn't sunk in" that he will become just the fifth play-by-play announcer in "MNF" history. He said, "I knew it was a small number; I didn’t know it was that small until I got the job and they told me. It’s not just that it’s a few, but the fact that the four guys are all Hall of Fame broadcasters." He said of Mike Tirico, who left his role on "MNF" after 10 years to join NBC, "I am really happy for him. Sometimes in our business, when something good happens for you it’s at the expense of someone else. The fact that Mike is going on to this great opportunity and it's going to be extremely well compensated for it, I am happy for him. He’s happy for me. ... It’s great for both of us" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/29).
TURN THE PAIGE: Woody Paige yesterday wrote his final column for the Denver Post after 35 years, as he is moving on to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Paige's departure brought out several reactions from colleagues of his at the Post. Columnist Mark Kiszla wrote, "More than 25 years ago, @woodypaige was the reason -- the only reason -- I got a shot at being a columnist. Thanks for everything, Woodman." Broncos writer Cameron Wolfe: "I enjoyed our time together -- the unpredictable chats, snarky comments and press box predictions. Wish you the best." Broncos writer Nick Groke: "There's a @WoodyPaige column from The Denver Post in my parent's basement that I cut out and saved as a kid." Meanwhile, ESPN's Ed Werner wrote, "One of those I always read." SportsNet LA's Alanna Rizzo: "Congrats on a Hell of a career."
NOTES: Wichita State is "looking for a new play by play voice for its men's basketball television games," as Bruce Haertl "moved to Denver this summer and is a sports anchor and reporter" for KDVR-Fox. He notified WSU recently that he was "not interested in continuing" with the school (WICHITA EAGLE, 7/31)....Former NFLer Jason Taylor has joined the Dolphins' preseason and radio broadcast team on WQAM-AM. He will serve as an analyst alongside Joe Rose and Jimmy Cefalo (Dolphins).
