In St. Louis, Dan Caesar notes the Red Sox and Yankees play their second series of the season this weekend, and the TV networks are going "ga-ga with it despite the teams occupying second and third places in the AL East.” All four games of the teams’ first meeting in April were shown nationally, and there will be “maximum coverage again.” Friday’s game is “being shown across the country on MLB Network and the Sunday night affair on ESPN.” Fox is airing Saturday's game to 55% of the U.S. as part of a regional broadcast. The teams meet again in early August, and viewers can “expect a repeat of the national fixation” (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 6/27).
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: In L.A., Steve Lopez wondered what the Dodgers are doing to "end the stalemate over a broadcast blackout that hits 70% of Southern California." He added, "Where the heck is the team's part owner and public face Magic Johnson, whose only magic appears to have been a disappearing act?” One would hope the Dodgers “aren't so busy counting the cash Time Warner owes them that they have quit trying to help the warring titans forge a deal” (LATIMES.com, 6/24).
HEARING VOICES: USL Pro club Sacramento Republic FC is “webstreaming all its home games,” and the SACRAMENTO BEE's Bill Paterson notes those who have viewed the first six “agree that the performances from the booth are every bit as professional and interesting” as the team. The duo of Rob McAllister and Kevin Goldthwaite “sound as if they have worked together for years.” McAllister is a longtime broadcaster who “works as an on-camera reporter” for CBS Sacramento, and he also broadcasts Triple-A PCL River Cats games. Republic FC VP/Marketing & Communications Erika Bjork “gets credit for bringing the pair together” (SACRAMENTO BEE, 6/27).
