USA TODAY's Gabe Lacques wrote having two of MLB's "youngest, most accomplished and recognizable stars" in Bryce Harper and Manny Machado head to the West Coast "would not have been great for business." With Harper staying on the East Coast, his "greatest exploits will occur while most of the baseball-watching public is awake." The Phillies will "certainly be a staple on Sunday Night Baseball, along with ESPN's midweek offerings." Both Harper and Machado playing more than 100 of their games out west "would not have been great for the game" (USATODAY.com, 2/28).
Hunter (l) will remain the primary play-by-play voice on Orioles radio this seasonMASN
IN WITH THE NEW: With longtime Orioles radio voice Joe Angel retiring, the team on Thursday "announced the new broadcast lineup" for the '19 season. Jim Hunter will "remain the primary play-by-play voice on Orioles radio" and the team also "brought in ESPN play-by-play man Kevin Brown to be commentator for about 50 games." The radio broadcasts will "continue to feature former Orioles Mike Bordick, Ben McDonald, Brian Roberts, Dave Johnson and Gregg Olson as analysts." Gary Thorne is also "back for his 13th season as the lead play-by-play announcer" on MASN, with Hunter "spelling him for around 40 games" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 2/28).
NO ORDINARY JOE: WEEI Red Sox play-by-play man Joe Castiglione got a contract extension for the '20 and '21 seasons that "includes an option" for '22. If he does stay through the option, that will give him an "even 40 seasons in the Red Sox booth." Meanwhile, Castiglione also will "take some time off in-season this year." After the Red Sox' trip to London to play the Yankees in late June, he will "take off the next two series before the All-Star break and remain overseas on vacation." Castiglione said that he "expects to miss approximately 15 to 18 games this year" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/1).
