In Minneapolis, Michael Rand wrote former MLBer Justin Morneau is working as an analyst for FS North this season, and he has been "knowledgeable and interesting." Morneau has been working alongside play-by-play voice Dick Bremer for all 12 games so far this season and "started working into the rotating cast of analysts last season." But having him work "so many consecutive games at a time when more people are paying attention has generated a lot of buzz about his work." Morneau and FS North analyst Roy Smalley both "reinforce how fun and interesting it can be to think along with the game." On Twitter, the consensus "seems to be that most fans like him" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/15).
A NEW BIRD SONG: In Baltimore, Peter Schmuck wrote under the header, "New Orioles Radio Guy Kevin Brown Brings Fresh Face And A Steady Voice To Baltimore." Brown's approach to play-by-play is "pretty straightforward." Brown "tries to offer something beyond the balls and strikes, but not at the expense of the nuts-and-bolts narrative of each game" (BALTIMORE SUN, 4/12).
MONDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHT: In Philadelphia, Bob Brookover notes former MLBer Ryan Howard made his "debut as a color analyst" on ESPN’s "Monday Night Baseball" telecast of Mets-Phillies last night. Broadcasting was "always in the back of Howard’s mind." Once playing the game was "out of his system, he was able to focus on a different aspect of the game." Howard said that he is "unsure whether he will be better suited for the studio or in-game productions" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/16).
FOR PURISTS: FORBES' Andrew Wagner noted Dan Plesac is in his 10th season as an MLB Network analyst, and he continues "blending equal parts baseball junkie, stat geek, former player and with a heaping handful of excited optimist." Plesac's on-air personality "doesn't stray much from his everyday personality -- and that's by design." Plesac: "There's a demographic that I want to get to. People who think the glass is half-full, people who enjoy baseball ... they enjoy fly balls, they enjoy strikeouts -- people who really enjoy the game" (FORBES.com, 4/12).
