SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy cited sources as saying that Jesse Palmer has "agreed to remain with ESPN after being hotly pursued by Fox Sports." Sources said that the college football analyst "signed a seven-figure, multiyear contract to remain" with the net, where his previous deal was "set to expire in July." Sources added that Palmer, the lead analyst for ESPN's SEC Network, will "no longer call games; instead, he is expected to move into the studio full time for halftime and postgame coverage during Saturday games." That will "enable him to work out" of N.Y., where he "serves as a special contributor" for ABC's "GMA." Palmer will "continue to serve in that role under a separate deal" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 6/19).
DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK: WEEI.com's John Tomase noted Roger Clemens on Friday night joined WEEI's Tim Neverett during the Red Sox-Astros broadcast, and the former MLBer "delivered some legitimately unique insights." This was "thanks in no small part to Neverett, who wisely set Clemens up and then got out of the way" (WEEI.com, 6/16). In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote Clemens has been "embraced by the Red Sox again and it appears that before long he'll have his No. 21 retired" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/17).
GO GET 'EM JUNIOR: In San Diego, Dennis Lin noted former MLBer Tony Gwynn Jr. on Friday "called a game on the three-year anniversary of his father's passing." It was his "first broadcast of a Padres road game." This spring, he "joined the Padres’ broadcast crew," and he "knew all along he would be on the road for this series." Gwynn: "I really enjoy the radio. ... It’s a little more natural for me. It’s just like having a conversation about what you’re watching" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/17).
