In N.Y., Bob Raissman cited sources as saying that Yankees broadcasters Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling are "all in on doing a Yankees radiocast from the Judge’s Chambers," a section created for rookie RF Aaron Judge (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/11). Meanwhile, Sterling said of criticism that he does not tell the truth about the Yankees on air, "My broadcast is as honest as can be. And people think because I get excited and exuberant over Yankee success, that I’m a homer" (N.Y. POST, 6/11).
SO LONG FROM SOUTH BEACH: The Heat announced that TV/radio analyst Tony Fiorentino will call his 15th and final season next season before "moving onto a role as a team ambassador." In Miami, Manny Navarro noted the Heat "requested the change but wanted to give Fiorentino a farewell season as an analyst." Play-by-play announcer Eric Reid is "not part of the change." The team and broadcast partner FS Sun are in the "process of evaluating candidates to fill the impending vacancy" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/10).
CHANGING AIRWAVES: In Denver, Nicki Jhabvala noted former NFLer Tyler Polumbus is leaving KKFN-FM to join iHeartRadio and "serve primarily" as KOA-AM's sideline reporter during Broncos games. In the near future, Polumbus will "host a daily show on an iHeart station." The addition of Polumbus is "part of a broader shakeup for the network on game days that started with the departure of Ed McCaffrey in late April." While Polumbus "takes over for Andy Lindahl on the sidelines, Rick Lewis takes McCaffrey’s role" alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Logan in the booth (DENVER POST, 6/10).
NEW MARKET, NEW LOOK: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth wrote loyalty "didn’t seem to play much" in the Chargers' decision last week to replace 12-year radio play-by-play voice Josh Lewin with Matt Smith. Lewin, who also calls UCLA football and basketball in the fall, "wasn’t consulted about how he might work into the Chargers’ new schedule of events as it tries to win over L.A. this offseason." But Chargers President of Business Operations A.G. Spanos said Lewin was a "complete professional" and the "door is always open for him" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/11). In San Diego, Nick Canepa wrote those upset with Chargers radio analyst Nick Hardwick "reversing his field and returning" to the radio booth should "get over it" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/11).
THE VOICE: Hoffarth also noted the NHL Kings recently decided that Hockey HOFer Nick Nickson "works just fine on the radio," choosing instead to go with 28-year-old Alex Faust as the successor to Bob Miller as TV play-by-play announcer. The upside to keep Nickson on radio, which he has done for the Kings since '81, is that he will be what is "heard through the playoffs" for Kings fans once NBC Sports takes over TV coverage (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 6/11).
