On Long Island, Neil Best cited sources as saying that former MLB manager Bobby Valentine lost a chance to be an analyst on TBS' MLB postseason coverage because of "comments on WFAN Sept. 11 in which he criticized the Yankees' response -- or lack thereof -- in the days after the terrorist attacks of 2001." It also "probably didn't help" that TBS postseason host Keith Olbermann "aimed a scathing monologue at Valentine on his ESPN2 program." A Turner spokesperson would only say, "Bobby was one of a number of candidates being considered for the role" (NEWSDAY.com, 9/26). In Boston, Chad Finn notes it "should have been obvious that Valentine had whiffed with TBS" after Olbermann twice named him the "Worst Person in the Sports World" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/27).
BACK AT THE PLATE: In St. Louis, Dan Caesar reports former MLBer Jack Clark has been "hired to host a show" by Insane Broadcasting's WQQX-AM. Clark, who was removed from WGNU-AM last month after on-air allegations that Angels 1B Albert Pujols used PEDs, will host the mid-afternoon show beginning Oct. 7. Clark "insisted he won't be gun-shy with his approach" on the Fox Sports Radio affiliate (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 9/27).
GOING INSIDE THE TRUCK: THE MMQB's Richard Deitsch profiled CBS Sports Producer/Dir Suzanne Smith, who is the "only woman currently directing games for any of the five networks televising the NFL." She directed her first game in '83, but she does not "consider herself a pioneer in a field dominated by males." Smith: "I save the word pioneer for a Billie Jean King or Lesley Visser. ... I just do what I do. It is a privilege to direct the NFL and to be in the position I am in" (MMQB.SI.com, 9/25).
HIT THE ACCELERATOR: In New York, Pete Dougherty profiles ESPN Associate Producer Trevor Gavin and notes he "plays a prominent role in ESPN's coverage of NASCAR." Gavin prior to the NASCAR assignment worked two years on "MNF" and said his current job is a "lot more fast-paced." He said, "On football, you have that natural break between plays. As the graphic producer on football, when the play is happening, that's when you're lining up ... what you're going to do in between" (Albany TIMES-UNION, 9/27).
