Behind the Mic: Olbermann To Helm TBS's MLB Postseason Studio Show
Keith Olbermann is officially back in the sports game – at least during this year’s MLB Postseason that is – as Turner Sports had tapped the veteran broadcaster to host its TBS studio show during the playoffs. He will join analyst and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley. A noted baseball enthusiast, Olbermann is probably most well known for anchoring ESPN’s SportsCenter from 1992 to 1997, but he most recently served as the lead news anchor for MSNBC and Current.
Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. will transition from the studio to the broadcast booth full time this postseason, joining play-by-play man Ernie Johnson and Ron Darling in the booth for network’s coverage of the MLB Wild Card games, NLDS, and NLCS. FSN Wisconsin Milwaukee Brewers play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and analyst John Smoltz will serve as TBS’s second broadcast team…
…Turner Sports also announced that Ron Darling, who joined TBS as an MLB analyst in 2008, has agreed to a long-term extension. In addition to his postseason role, the 13-year MLB veteran will continue to serve as an analyst for a portion of the network’s “Sunday MLB on TBS” regular season game schedule. Darling also serves as an analyst for SNY’s coverage of the New York Mets…
…With the UFC moving to Fox Sports 1 in August, the announcer team will see a change as well, with play-by-play man Jon Anik (previously host of the FX and Fuel Studio shows) and longtime color commentator Joe Rogan calling UFC on FS1: Boston on August 17. Mike Goldberg had served as UFC’s lead play-by-play commentator since 1997, calling fights primarily with Rogan, but he has struggled with ongoing health issues and missed UFC 155 in December. Meanwhile, Kenny Florian will continue to serve in a studio role along with new addition, MMA fighter Chael Sonnen…
…Mexico City-based reporter John Sutcliffe will lead ESPN’s English- and Spanish-language coverage of the Mexican National Team (El Tri) through the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. Sutcliffe, who is bilingual, will be with El Tri, reporting primarily for ESPN’s English-language coverage of the two-week event in Brazil from June 15–30. Leading up to the Confederations Cup, Sutcliffe will also travel with the team to its 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches at Jamaica (Tuesday, June 4); at Panama (Friday, June 7); and vs. Costa Rica in Mexico City (Tuesday, June 11). Sutcliffe’s reporting during the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches will be featured primarily on ESPN Deportes’ studio programming – including special editions of Fútbol Picante and SportsCenter…
…Comedian JB Smoove has begun hosting Four Courses with JB Smoove on MSG. The show, which debuted on June 5, features the comedian sitting down with friends including Rasheed Wallace, John Salley, Judah Friedlander and Colin Quinn as they dine and converse about sports and other topics.