On Long Island, Neil Best notes former MLBer Anthony Recker on Monday will "start as a regular contributor to SNY's 'Baseball Night in New York' program and will appear on various other shows and platforms for the network during the coming season." Recker said that during his time playing for the Mets, he was "told by people at SNY he might be a good fit for TV after his playing days." Just as catchers "traditionally are said to make good managers, Recker believes that holds true for TV analysts" (NEWSDAY, 1/10).
FINDING A NEW CALLING: In N.Y., Justin Terranova notes Mark Sanchez' first season as an ESPN college football analyst "will conclude with studio coverage" during Monday's CFP title game. Sanchez "had his eyes on a broadcasting career when he decided to leave the NFL" after the '18 season. While continuing to make weekly appearances on "Get Up," Sanchez still is "working on the 'fine line' of critiquing his former NFL colleagues and picking winners for games." When asked about his future, there was "no doubt in his voice when he said he plans on doing this for a significant amount of time" (N.Y. POST, 1/10).
HOT STUFF: In Miami, Barry Jackson notes ESPN "dumped" Rockets-T'Wolves on Jan. 24 in favor of Clippers-Heat that same night. This was the "second January Heat game added by a national network, with TNT picking up" Celtics-Heat on Jan. 28 (MIAMI HERALD, 1/10).
