GOLF WORLD’s Chris Millard writes NBC Associate Producer Gil Capps is the net's “ace off the bench” for golf coverage, backing up broadcasters Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller as “scorer, statistician, researcher, fact-checker, writer and overall editorial conscience of the broadcast.” Given his “vital role in NBC’s standout coverage, Capps is arguably the least-known important figure in golf television.” As much as 90% of his material "never makes it on air.” Miller and Hicks “have come to rely heavily on Capps’ highly specialized golf knowledge (he doesn’t work other sports) and his timing.” Hicks said of Capps' preparation for the upcoming U.S. Open, “He’s kind of like a player who puts a real premium on the big events. You really have to be extra-prepared in the big ones, and Gil comes to play the Open. He’s ready” (GOLF WORLD, 6/11 issue).
TAYLOR-MADE: Former NFLer Jason Taylor is joining ESPN as a studio analyst. He will contribute to “NFL Live,” “NFL32” and “SportsCenter,” as well as “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “Monday Night Countdown.” Taylor will also make regular appearances on ESPN Radio (ESPN). In West Palm Beach, Ben Volin wrote if ESPN “wants to manufacture some drama,” it could pair Taylor up with analyst and former Dolphins coach Bill Parcells. Taylor and Parcells “feuded almost immediately after Parcells took over the team in late 2007” (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 6/6).
STRAIGHT A’s: In S.F., Susan Slusser cites sources as saying that former MLBer Scott Hatteberg will “replace Ray Fosse for 20 games” as the A's analyst on Comcast SportsNet California. Sources said that Hatteberg’s “first stint” begins June 15. Hatteberg currently serves as A's Special Assistant to Baseball Operations (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/7).
BACK ON THE AIR? In Ft. Lauderdale, Nick Sortal noted radio host Sid Rosenberg is “one negotiation away from being back on air.” WMEN-AM GM Steve Lapa said Rosenberg, who was fired from WQAM-AM April 7 after being charged with DUI, would take over the 6:00-10:00am ET shift "as soon as we get an OK" from Rosenberg's former station. Lapa said that Rosenberg has “bought out his non-compete clause with WQAM, which expires in August,” but hinted that WQAM is “worried about what Rosenberg may say about the station once he sits down at the microphone” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/6).
