In Boston, Chad Finn noted Apple TV+’s audio during the “first-inning ovation” for RF Mookie Betts on Friday night -- Betts's first time back at Fenway Park since being traded to the Dodgers in 2020 -- sounded as if its microphones “were placed in puddles on Landsdowne Street.” Finn: “You’d think quality control would be a priority considering Apple’s resources and that it is paying MLB $85 million a year to broadcast these games” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/26).
IRISH EYES ARE CRYING: In South Bend, Austin Hough graded NBC analyst Jason Garrett’s performance during Saturday’s Notre Dame-Navy game a “D.” Hough noted that when the score was 42-0, Garrett said “something to the effect of ‘Navy probably won't come back in this one ...’” Hough: “Uh, you think?” (SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE, 8/26).
A RARE BIRD: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote the latest episode of HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” was “made special by Sean Patrick Small’s portrayal of Larry Bird.” There are “flashbacks to Bird’s younger days (after he dropped out of Indiana) in his hometown of French Lick” and “his relationship with his father.” Raissman: “Small’s scene at the end of the episode will bring you to tears” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/26).
A NEW SHOW COMING: In N.Y., Andrew Marchand reports ESPN will begin a "new yet to be named show about the NFL and college football” on Mondays that will feature Booger McFarland and Herm Edwards as analysts. Michael Eaves will serve as the host. The new show “moves into the ‘NFL Rewind’” spot,” which had “been in that slot the previous year” (N.Y. POST, 8/28).
