NBC has yet to identify Miller's successor in the booth when he does choose to retireGETTY IMAGES
GOLFWEEK's Martin Kaufmann noted NBC's third-round coverage of the PGA Tour Arnold Palmer invitational was analyst Johnny Miller’s "first day back in the booth this season, and Miller was doing what he sometimes does -- stirring things up." No one would "plausibly suggest Miller is as interesting or engaged in the coverage as he was earlier in his NBC career," but his return was a "reminder of the value of having a centerpiece to anchor the live coverage." It is also a "reminder that when Miller does retire, NBC will have a tall task in finding the right person to fill his seat" (GOLFWEEK.com, 3/18).
END OF THE ROAD: On Long Island, Neil Best noted YES Network analyst Ken Singleton is "ready to move on" from MLB broadcasting as he will retire after this season. Singleton said, “It was time. There are things I like to do that I haven’t been able to do during the summer.” Singleton this season will work 55 Yankees games, "ending with a series at Fenway Park." Singleton: “The outpouring from fans, it really touched me to realize how many people enjoy what I do. So many people said, ‘Don’t stop! Don’t quit!’ That’s nice to know that they want me to stay." Singleton: "But I’m not the type of guy who’s going to stay in the booth forever. I’ve seen that from other broadcasters in the past, and sometimes they’re not as good as they were in their heyday. That’s not going to happen to me” (NEWSDAY.com, 3/17).
NO CHANGE NEEDED? In Boston, Dan Shaugnessy wrote ESPN "made a mistake" with Sean McDonough's exit from the "MNF" booth. McDonough is the "best in the business, and the network and the NFL should not be so thin-skinned when McDonough occasionally utters hard truths about the product" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/17). In N.Y., Phil Mushnick wrote McDonough "got what’s known as a raw deal." McDonough is "among the best in the business, but was stuck having to suffer say-anything Jon Gruden’s weekly disinclination to pay attention to the game, his chronic ability to contradict himself and his vacant exclamations -- thus McDonough was often alone, exasperated and frustrate" (N.Y. POST, 3/18).
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: NFL columnist Gary Myers on Friday tweeted he is "leaving the N.Y. Daily News after 29 years." Myers: "I've enjoyed covering the run from Parcells to the Butt Fumble to present day & am so appreciative of all who have read my work, whether you agreed or disagreed with my opinion. Thank you to all who supported me through the years" (TWITTER.com, 3/16). Meanwhile, NFL writer Jim Trotter tweeted, "Today ends my four-year run at ESPN. Thanks to management for allowing me out of my contract and to IMMENSELY talented (and patient) producers who always helped me along. Also major thanks to @BobLeyESPN & @OTLonESPN. Luv the show. I’m excited for the next step in my journey" (TWITTER.com, 3/16). Neither writer revealed their future plans (THE DAILY).
