In N.Y., Andrew Marchand reports ESPN has "ended its pursuit of David Cone" to join its "Sunday Night Baseball" booth. Matt Vasgersian and Alex Rodriguez are the "most likely choice as a two-man team" to remain in the booth, with Buster Olney "expected to stay as the dugout reporter." The net also has "shown interest in Chipper Jones and Curtis Granderson, but it seems far more likely for weekday games and/or studio work" (N.Y. POST, 2/14).
ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS: In Chicago, Jeff Agrest writes TNT's Marv Albert is "truly a transcendent broadcaster," but "how much longer will we hear him?" Albert has been TNT's lead NBA voice since '99, but there has been "speculation of a changing of the guard for a couple of years." Albert said, "I'm taking it year to year. My contract still has time on it. I feel great and still love every phase of what I do" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 2/14).
BRINGING IN RELIEF: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman writes former MLBer Justin Morneau has "taken on a big role" with the Twins since retiring. Morneau joined the Twins broadcast team with FS North in '18, and "could become a full-time analyst in the future." This year, he will "call 80 games for the club" as Baseball HOFer Bert Blyleven "continues to wind down his career as an analyst." Blyleven has gone from calling 80 games in '18, to 50 last year, and is expected to call 30 games this season (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/14).
