In Ft. Lauderdale, Matthew DeFranks noted longtime Marlins commentator Tommy Hutton, who was with the club from '97-'15, will "return to the booth as a pre and post-game analyst" on FS Florida. Hutton will debut today during Giants-Marlins and "be on air for select games." He said that "most of the games would be after the All-Star break." Hutton’s departure from the booth was "controversial" after the '15 season, when his 11-year partnership with former Marlins broadcaster Rich Waltz was ended. Hutton was a "popular figure among fans for his honest takes and sometimes sharp criticism of the team" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/10).
IN WITH THE NEW: In Houston, Brent Zwerneman noted Texas A&M has a "new football and basketball play-by-play broadcaster," as Spurs sideline reporter Andrew Monaco will "replace Dave South starting this season." South last summer "announced he would be retiring from football and basketball duties" following the '17-18 school year (CHRON.com, 6/8).
SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT: In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted ratings for ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" are "way down." Alex Rodriguez and Matt Vasgersian were added to the booth this season, but the "quality of the matchup is more important" than who is calling it. However, the job for Vasgersian, Rodriguez and analyst Jessica Mendoza is to "bring some buzz to the telecast." Raissman: "Why do you think A-Rod is all over social media trying to do just that. Clearly, it ain't working" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 6/9).
