Nationals pre- and postgame host Johnny Holliday said that he is "stepping away from his role on MASN as he cuts back his workload." In DC, Barry Svrluga notes Holliday is also the "full-time voice of Maryland football and men’s basketball." Holliday had been "serving alongside" Ray Knight on Nationals broadcasts, but Knight "didn’t have his contract renewed this offseason." Holliday: "With Ray gone, seems like a good time to back off a little." The nightly travel also "began to wear on Holliday" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/13).
SPEAKING OUT: In Detroit, Dana Sulonen notes former Tigers broadcaster Mario Impemba yesterday "broke his silence" after being let go by FS Detroit in October following a physical altercation with broadcast partner Rod Allen. Impemba tweeted, "The last three months have been challenging for both myself and my family. I would like to thank the countless Tigers fans who have reached out to me to offer support. I would also like to thank my broadcasting colleagues who have provided both support and encouragement. It was always my intention to return to the Tigers booth in 2019, but that decision was out of my hands" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/13).
NEW LINEUP: In N.Y., Andrew Marchand cites sources as saying that the Mets' pre- and postgame shows on SNY will have a "new lead analyst, as Todd Zeile is replacing Nelson Figueroa." Zeile has been a "longtime favorite" of Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. Figueroa is "expected to remain with the network in a still-undefined role." Gary Apple is "expected to remain as the Mets’ pre- and postgame host." Zeile has "been in the mix on SNY for a few years, but had been behind Figueroa on the depth chart" (N.Y. POST, 12/13).
