In San Diego, Dennis Lin noted former MLBer Tony Gwynn Jr. is "expected to join the Padres' broadcast team" this season. Gwynn likely would "appear on 30 telecasts" for FS San Diego, as well as "30 radio broadcasts" on KBZT-FM. The specifics of his role "remain to be seen." Last baseball season, Gwynn was "part of the broadcast team" for the "Dodger Talk" postgame show on KLAC-AM (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/26).
MAKING THE SWITCH: The UNION-TRIBUNE's Lin noted the Padres' broadcast team will be making its debut on KBZT radio this season, and the transition from XEPRS-AM "represents a significant change." KBZT Senior Exec Producer for Padres radio Rich Herrera has "high hopes" for the move. The Padres are the 12th MLB team to "make the switch" to FM. Herrera said that under the new format broadcasts will "take a modern approach." Herrera will also be an "in-game reporter and the host of pre- and postgame Padres shows." He said that KBZT will "provide in-game interviews, player features and other 'extra content inside the broadcast.'" There are plans to "build digital offerings through podcasts, video blogs and social media" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/25).
RETURN TO THE BRONX? In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote bringing former MLBer Alex Rodriguez into the TV booth as a member of YES Network would "juice up the telecasts in what could be an incredible shrinking season" for the Yankees. Working Fox' postseason studio, Rodriguez has been "very candid while delivering insights." The most "compelling option, by far, is game analyst." Rodriguez would be "called on to offer spontaneous analysis," working with another former player and Michael Kay. Raissman: "Unplugged A-Rod, so to speak, would make this must see baseball TV." The bet here is Rodriguez "will not go out of his way to trash a player in pinstripes," or even a decision by Yankees manager Joe Girardi (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/26).
GROWING INTO THE ROLE: YES Network announcer David Cone evaluated Rodriguez' World Series work for Fox, saying, "The content is off the charts, he’s always been one of the smartest guys to talk to about baseball." Asked how he has grown into his role with YES, Cone said, "Every year it’s become a little easier, knowing what the job entails, when to use sabremetrics and when not to. I try to be an easy listen. I try to tell you something you don’t know." Asked what it is like to watch SNY broadcasters Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, Cone said, "Their fearlessness is refreshing. Obviously it’s great content, but Keith has no filter. Ronnie has more of a filter but he’s not afraid to talk about anything" (Bergen RECORD, 2/26).
