Beisbol Has Ben Berry, Berry Good To Me And My TV

My lame attempt at a 1970’s Chico Escuela reference. Anyway, let’s go over the games on your TV this weekend. It’s also All-Star break after Sunday so lots of references to that. Here we go.

Fox Sports has regional coverage of three games. It’s convenient for Fox to be in Los Angeles as the All-Star Game is in nearby Anaheim and Angels Stadium on Tuesday. Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal will be at Dodger Stadium for the Cubs-Los Angeles game. In addition, it makes for 11 games Buck has worked thus far out of 14 weeks of the season. Not bad. But I think he’ll a few more before leaving in August to focus on the NFL. I’m still keeping track! Fox also has highlights of a conference call regarding Tuesday’s All-Star Game festivities.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK

Leads Into All-Star Week with Mets/Braves, Cubs/Dodgers & Twins/Tigers

McCarver: Seaver Ruined My Hand During 1967 All-Star Game in Anaheim

Selig, Goren, Buck & McCarver Preview Tuesday Night’s MLB All-Star Spectacular

Torii Hunter & Leeann Tweeden Go Behind-the-Scenes of

2010 MLB All-Star Game on FOXSports.com

MLB ON FOX WRAPS UP FIRST HALF – Before the excitement of the 81^st MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 13 (8:00 PM ET), The FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK presents its final weekend of the first half with three exciting battles on Saturday, July 10  (4:00 PM ET). In a battle for the NL East lead, the Mets and Braves exchange pleasantries in Flushing, Queens. While Chipper Jones and the Braves were tabbed by many to make noise in the NL, David Wright and the Mets have been the surprise of the division. The NL Player of the Month for June, Wright leads the Mets in Avg., HR, 2B, RBI and OPS. Out west, the Cubs make the trip to Chavez Ravine to take on Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers. Also, AL Central rivals face off as Johnny Damon and the Tigers take on Joe Mauer and the Twins. This week, the pregame show originates live from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew including Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal as a field reporter.

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.  Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports.

Atlanta Braves at New York Mets, Kenny Albert & Kevin Millar, going to 46% of USA

Citi Field – Flushing, NY

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Probable Pitchers: Mike Pelfrey, RHP (10-3, 3.39 ERA) vs. TBA

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 38% of USA

Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tulsa

Probable Pitchers: TBA vs. TBA

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers, Dick Stockton & Ron Allen, going to 15% of USA

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

MARKETS INCLUDE:  Austin, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Richmond, San Antonio

Probable Pitchers: TBA vs. TBA

SELIG, GOREN, BUCK & MCCARVER PREVIEW 2010 MIDSUMMER CLASSIC – MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, FOX Sports President Ed Goren along with MLB on FOX’s Emmy Award-winning broadcast team of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver participated in a press call to preview coverage of Major League Baseball’s 81^st All-Star Game from Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, July 13 (8:00 PM ET).

Selected highlights are transcribed below.

MCCARVER REMEMBERS PLAYING IN THE 1967 ALL-STAR GAME IN ANAHEIM: “I remember Tom Seaver got a save in that game after Tony Perez hit a solo home run in the top of the15^th to win for the National League. He threw harder than any pitcher than I’ve ever caught in that game. I caught a lot of Bob Gibson’s start and he threw awfully hard. Gibson is particularly responsible for my deformed thumb on my left hand. But when I took my glove off after catching Seaver, my left hand was swollen. I don’t think I’ve ever had a swollen, black and blue hand under my index finger. I was doing pretty well the first half of that season and I went in the tank in second half. I’ve told Tom he ruined my left hand with that inning of work.”

MCCARVER ON THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE ALL-STAR GAME FORMAT: “I think the expansion of roster makes for a better game. It’s relieved the managers of some of the pressure. Having both teams play with a DH no matter where the game is makes a lot of sense. No one watches an All-Star Game to see a pitcher hit. And whether you agree or disagree with the home-field advantage for the World Series being awarded to the winning league, it has caused a lot of controversy and a lot of talk. It has been better for the game than it was prior to being instituted.”

SELIG ON THE HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE RULE: “Since 2003 institution of ‘This Time It Counts,’ the difference in intensity is amazing. I’ll never forget the Hank Blalock home run in 2003 or the last out of the game that Rafael Furcal hit and Magglio Ordonez caught at the wall because I thought ‘we’re going to have another tie.’ The change was supposed to bring back intensity and it has.”

GOREN ON WHAT STRASBURG’S SELECTION WOULD HAVE MEANT TO VIEWERSHIP: “Over the last three years viewership for the MLB All-Star Game has increased. It is the No. 1 TV event of the summer. One player doesn’t make a difference to me and when all is said and done, it’s baseball’s game and we’re there to cover it. We’re thrilled to be in Anaheim whether Strasburg’s there or not.”

SELIG ON THE PROCESS OF SELECTING PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE: “We have a very thorough voting procedure. We have the fans, the players and the managers all with input. We’ve really have tried to make it as fair as possible. Whether I agree with all of them or any that just adds the interest to the game. I’m very pleased where we are.”

BUCK ON THE BUZZ SURROUNDING STRASBURG: “There’s a good crop of young players coming along, Jason Heyward of the Braves is a great example. But Strasburg is at the top of my list because it’s rare someone can make people want to go to the stadiums the way he has. People are recognizing a special talent and wanting to see it first hand.”

MCCARVER’S FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BROADCATING 18 ALL-STAR GAMES (This year’s game will be his 19^th): “There have been so many great memories. One that comes back to me immediately is Cal Ripken’s homerun after he was moved from third base to shortstop in Seattle in 2001. In that same game, Tommy Lasorda went out and while coaching third base was knocked over. From a comical standpoint that was great.”

BUCK ON THE RESURGENCE OF DAVID ORTIZ: “It’s incredible. He’s gone from a guy who people thought the Red Sox should release earlier this year to a potential free agent trying to figure out if he is going to get a new deal from the Red Sox or where he can cash in. Now he leads the team in home runs. The Red Sox are a team that could dominate once they get on a roll and healthy with pitching. I really take my hat off to Ortiz because just as a competitor I’m sure it was just crushing him. He picked it up and got it together.”

LEEANN TWEEDEN & TORII HUNTER GIVE VIEWERS A VIP PASS ON FOXSPORTS.COM’S ALL-STAR GAME SHOW – Longtime FOX Sports correspondent Leeann Tweeden and Angels’ All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter will show viewers the sights and sounds of the All-Star break on FOXSports.com’s hour-long MLB ALL-STAR GAME SHOW on Tuesday, July 13  (2:00 PM ET). Tweeden and Hunter will give viewers exclusive VIP access to the MLB Fan Fest, Hunter’s own All-Star Game Party and put fans in the passenger’s seat as Hunter drives to the game.  In addition, the MLB ALL-STAR GAME SHOW will feature analysis from columnists Mark Kriegel and Jim Bowden of FOXSports.com and MLB Network’s Royce Clayton with FOX’s Barry LeBrock hosting. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal will report and interview players and personnel from Angels Stadium, home of the 81^st MLB All-Star Game. Fans can access the special programming by logging onto www.foxsports.com at 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday, July 13.

Tonight, MLB Network will give most of the country the Reds-Phillies game while others get another contest.

July 10                    7:00 p.m.      Cincinnati at Philadelphia

7:00 p.m.      St. Louis at Houston (in select markets)

Sunday’s games plus All-Star Game programming for MLB Network and ESPN comes up after the break.
TBS focuses on its old team, the Atlanta Braves taking on the New York Mets on Sunday afternoon.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” Features the Beasts of the NL East with the Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets

Mets ace Johan Santana scheduled to face Derek Lowe of the Braves

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on J
uly 11 when NL All-Star reserve Brian McCann and the Atlanta Braves visit NL All-Star starter David Wright and the New York Mets at Citi Field at 1 p.m. (ET). Johan Santana is scheduled to pitch for the Mets against the Braves probable starter Derek Lowe.  Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst) will call the action.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season.  The network will also begin providing exclusive coverage of the Division Series and the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in October 2010.

TBS has broadcast MLB coverage for more than 30 years serving as the exclusive home of the MLB Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007 and home of Atlanta Braves coverage from 1977 to 2007. 

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 11

1 p.m.                          Atlanta Braves @ New York Mets

                                Announcers: Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst)

 SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Sun., July 18

1 p.m.                      Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees

                                Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst)

Sun., July 25

1:30 p.m.                Colorado Rockies @ Philadelphia Phillies   

Announcers: Ernie Johnson (play-by-play), Buck Martinez (analyst) & David Wells (analyst)

Ah, I see that Ernie Johnson, Jr. will do his first TBS game later this month. We’ll have more on that as we get closer.

Now to ESPN and its programming on Sunday on both ESPN2 and ESPN.

All-Star Futures Game, 6 p.m.

Commentators: Gary Thorne, J.P. Riccardi, Rick Sutcliffe

ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN3.com

Sunday Night Baseball

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8 p.m.

Commentators: Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Orel Hershiser

ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN3.com, ESPN Radio, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Mobile TV

Ok, let’s look at the All-Star Game programming from Sunday through Wednesday on ESPN and MLB Network. First, MLB Network:

MLB Network 2010 All-Star Game Programming:

All times ET and subject to change, check MLBNetwork.com for updates

July 11 – 8:00 p.m.                      All-Time Games: 1965 All-Star Game

July 12 – 12:30 p.m.                    All-Star Monday

July 12 – 4:30 p.m.                      MLB Tonight All-Star Batting Practice

          July 12 – Post Home Run Derby     MLB Tonight All-Star Edition

July 13 – 4:00 p.m.                      MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show

July 13 – 5:00 p.m.                      MLB Tonight All-Star Batting Practice

July 13 – 7:30 p.m.                MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show  (abbreviated)

July 13 – Post All-Star Game          MLB Tonight All-Star Edition

          July 14 – 7:00 p.m.                      Triple-A All-Star Game

ESPN will be all over All-Star Weekend with coverage of the Home Run Derby plus the Legends and Celebrity Game. Take a look.

81^st MLB All-Star Game on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio

ESPN Radio (7:45 p.m.) and ESPN Deportes Radio (8 p.m.) will exclusively broadcast the 81^st All-Star Game Tuesday, July 13. ESPN Radio’s Jon Sciambi will call the game with analyst Dave Campbell, with Marc Kestecher serving as on-site host. Peter Pascarelli and John Rooney, the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, will serve as on-field reporters. ESPN Deportes Radio, the only Spanish-language sports radio network in the U.S., will offer a radio broadcast of the All-Star Game. Commentary will be provided by Renato Bermudez and Eduardo Ortega with analysis from Guillermo Celis and Jose Francisco Rivera.  

 

2010 All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game

Immediately following the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 12, ESPN and ESPN HD will present the 2010 All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. Gary Thorne will call the game, along with commentary from analyst/player John Kruk. Legends will include Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Gary Carter, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor, Ozzie Smith and Dave Winfield (ESPN analyst). Celebrities scheduled to participate include Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), Billy Bob Thornton (actor), James Denton (Desperate Housewives), Jennie Finch (USA gold medal softball player), Mario Lopez (Extra host) and Maria Menounos (Access Hollywood host). 

 

2010 All-Star Futures Game

The networks’ All-Star coverage will begin with the 2010 All-Star Futures Game Sunday, July 11, at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 HD and ESPN3.com. Gary Thorne will call the game with analysts Rick Sutcliffe and J.P. Ricciardi. 

 

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D will produce its inaugural telecast for the new network with the Home Run Derby telecast. Prior to the Home Run Derby, ESPN 3D televised 25 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches which were produced by FIFA. ESPN was the first to announce an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television. ESPN has produced several 3D telecasts, including The Masters in April 2010, a Harlem Globetrotters game in February 2010 and the USC vs. Ohio State college football game in 2009. ESPN 3D is available nationwide in approximately 45 million households and has carriage agreements with DirecTV, Comcast and AT&T. Sony was named the first official sponsor of the network in January 2010.

And the All-Star Game itself will be called by Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal on Fox. That’s it.