Root Sports Southwest yesterday announced longtime Rockets broadcaster Bill Worrell will "reduce his schedule to home games and selected road games" this season, and radio broadcaster Craig Ackerman will "assume TV play by play duties for most Rockets road games." Worrell said that the schedule change will "enable him to lighten his travel responsibilities while continuing his association" with the team. Worrell: "It's time. What is it -- 35 years, or something like that? I've had a good run, and it's time now to kind of push away from it. The Rockets and DirecTV and AT&T are giving me the opportunity to keep my hand in, which is wonderful." In Houston, David Barron notes Basketball HOFer Clyde Drexler and former NBAer Matt Bullard will "return as analysts for Rockets games" on RSS with Drexler "working primarily home games" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/22).
BEST WISHES: In Dallas, Barry Horn notes it "does not appear" Stars play-by-play announcer Dave Strader will be "joining the team any time soon." Strader yesterday in a statement said, "In early June 2016, a tumor was found in my bile duct. ... There is no cure for my cancer. However, at this time it is treatable." This is the "first time Strader has offered details of his condition." Daryl Reaugh likely will "slide over from the analyst seat" and Craig Ludwig will "move from the studio to the analyst seat" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/22). The AP notes as a 36-year veteran in broadcasting, Strader "joined the TV and radio simulcast with the Stars last season." He has "also worked for the NBC Sports Network and served stints" with the Panthers, Coyotes and Red Wings in the NHL (AP, 9/22).
SEEING HIM OFF: CSNBAYAREA.com's Joe Stiglich noted the voice of A’s radio play-by-play man Ken Korach "won’t be heard" during tomorrow night’s game against the Rangers, as he is making the trip to L.A. to be at Dodgers Stadium, when the team "honors legendary announcer Vin Scully in a pregame ceremony." Korach is "simply buying a ticket to soak in the experience as a fan" (CSNBAYAREA.com, 9/21).
MOVING UP: In Albany, Pete Dougherty noted WRGB-CBS Sports Dir Doug Sherman will "step away when his contract expires Oct. 31 to join ESPN full-time as a play-by-play announcer." Sherman, a former radio play-by-play man for Siena basketball, "has called games for ESPN" since '03 (Albany TIMES UNION. 9/21).
