L.A.-based KTLA-TV is "close to a deal in which it would carry 10 Dodgers games, all of which would be in April and May," according to a source cited by Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. If finalized, the deal "could be announced" as soon as today. KTLA "aired six games last season, the final broadcasts" of broadcaster Vin Scully's career. In '14, the first year for the Dodgers' SportsNet LA channel, L.A.-based KDOC-TV "aired the last six games of the regular season." Shaikin writes the Dodgers and Charter Communications "presumably hope the 10 games on KTLA would persuade fans to switch to Charter's Spectrum service and/or persuade DirecTV and others to resume negotiations to carry SportsNet LA" (L.A. TIMES, 3/1).
REPLACING A LEGEND: In L.A., Bill Plaschke notes Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis will "formally begin filling the retired Scully's spot" tonight for the team's Spring Training game against the Giants on SportsNet LA. Davis, 29, will "not work alone as Scully did, but instead will be joined during his 130-or-so games by either Orel Hershiser or Nomar Garciaparra." Davis is "not trying to resemble Scully, and the Dodgers don’t want him to copy Scully." Plaschke: "Go to his clips, and listen. He’s good. He’s actually really good, with a distinct voice that booms like Joe Buck’s, a keen eye for detail, an appreciation for drama, and a youthful enthusiasm that makes the Dodgers sound not only credible and professional, but fun." Dodgers fans who can watch the team's games on TV will "certainly welcome Davis." Though the memories of Scully "can never be extinguished," this is about a "torch lighting, with a different sort of brightness, the extent of which only time will tell" (L.A. TIMES, 3/1).
