THE ATHLETIC's Joe McDonald profiled NESN's Jack Edwards, who has "been the Bruins’ play-by-play announcer for 14 seasons" alongside partner Andy Brickley. Many may "think that there’s a lot unusual about the way Edwards does his job, but there’s no denying his enthusiasm, passion and authenticity." When the puck drops, Edwards "switches to autopilot." He has "done endless prep, feeling that it’s his safety net so that he doesn’t make a 'stupid mistake.'" One reason he has "lasted so long at NESN is because upper management is forgiving of Edwards’ style." He "appreciates that." Many fans "love listening to Edwards." Others "deride him as a 'homer.'" He "doesn't run from that label." There are "few things Edwards won’t say during a broadcast" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/7).
DYNAMIC DUO: In St. Paul, Jace Frederick noted T'Wolves-Lakers on Sunday marked the 500th broadcast for the FS North team of Dave Benz and Jim Petersen -- "including preseason, regular-season and postseason contests." Their "instant chemistry, combined with many other factors, has made the duo one of the NBA’s most popular broadcast teams." ESPN's Zach Lowe said, “They’re like top three or four, at worst. Both the New York teams (the Nets and Knicks) are kind of legendary, but Jim and Dave are right there with those guys” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 1/6).
NOT COMING BACK: In Atlanta, Rodney Ho noted WZGC-FM weekend host Stan Norfleet "got himself fired from his part-time gig after he made a complicated comparison" between the Falcons "coach firings and the Holocaust." WZGC is the Falcons flagship radio station (AJC.com, 1/5). Meanwhile, in Charlotte, Langston Wertz Jr. cited sources as saying that WFNZ-AM host Frank Garcia "was fired after his arrest for misdemeanor assault on a 29-year-old woman last month." Garcia was formerly co-host of the afternoon talk show, "Garcia and Bailey" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 1/4).
NOTES: NESN Red Sox analyst Dennis Eckersley "has signed on to do more games next season." Eckersley "will even be making a few road trips, which he generally avoids" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/7)....Tennis Channel signed Jim Courier to a five-year extension that will run through '23 (Tennis Channel)....Indianapolis Star reporter Mark Alesia, who was named '18 Indiana Journalist of the Year for his "investigations into sexual abuse allegations in USA Gymnastics, left the paper last week after accepting a buyout." Alesi notes in his Twitter bio that he is "not close to retiring" (POLITICO.com, 1/7)....Detroit Free Press reporter Perry A. Farrell, who "spent the past three decades covering a variety of sports in Michigan, is leaving Michigan’s flagship newspaper after accepting an early retirement offer" (FREEP.com, 1/5).
