Sterling, 80, is set to begin his 30th season as the primary radio voice of the YankeesGETTY IMAGES
Yankees radio announcer John Sterling "thinks he has come up with a great home run call" for new DH Giancarlo Stanton. Sterling said, "This one is so different. It's an Italian phrase that rhymes. I don't know if anyone will get it. ... I hope it works." While Sterling described a "Stantonian blast" during a Spring Training game, he is holding on to the "real thing" for the regular season. The 80-year-old Sterling today begins his 30th season as the primary radio voice of the Yanks, and has "no plans to retire" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/26).
FOLLOWING A LEGEND: Ben Wagner today begins his stint as the "new radio voice" for the Blue Jays, replacing Jerry Howarth, who retired after 36 seasons. Wagner, who will work with Dan Shulman and Mike Wilner, said, "I understand that I'm the guy replacing the guy. To have that sitting on my shoulders is something that I'm very humbled by. ... I know fans are going to miss Jerry. Hopefully, over time, they start to enjoy our broadcasts. Nobody will ever replace Jerry" (SPORTSNET.ca, 3/27).
SAME NAME, DIFFERENT GAME: The Phillies this season will rotate between three different radio analysts during road games as part of a "one-season experience" as the club figures out primary analyst Larry Andersen's "long-term plans." Andersen is "scaling back his role ... to calling just home games." Each of the three analysts -- former players Kevin Frandsen, Kevin Jordan and Kevin Stocker -- will call 20-30 games with play-by-play announcer Scott Franzke, who worked with "all three men during spring training ... to build a rapport" (PHILLY.com, 3/26).
HAWK'S LAST RIDE: Longtime White Sox voice Ken Harrelson "will do about 20 games in his last season in the booth," and some "treats are in store" for fans. The team is working on "possible pairings" with former White Sox players A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas. Harrelson is not calling today's game against the Royals after "calling opening days for the team in parts of four decades" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/28).
TIPS FOR SUCCESS: Former Red Sox manager John Farrell is working with ESPN this season, and he owes it to the network and to viewers to "develop a strong take on the topic of the day and then stick with it." If Farrell "tries to play things down the middle by offering analysis that's sanitized, or conflicting, or both, he's going to lose" viewers (BOSTON HERALD, 3/28).
