1995 MLB Season
As originally written by Tim Brulia:
1995, and baseball is trying to win back fan interest. The season starts late, but soon gets back into the flow.
TBN is able to to get in a full season (well, half) of telecasts after the All-Star break, but will be dissolved at season's end.
For the first time since TV's stone age, two networks cover the World Series.
The always reliable Jeff79 brings you the post season commentators. And now, the folks who bring you Major League Baseball for 1995.
National Television
Spring Training
4/16
Rangers-Red Sox, 8:05, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
4/19
Reds-Phillies, 7:35, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, unknown
4/23
Giants-Athletics, 8:00, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Regular Season
APRIL
Tuesday 4/25:
Dodgers-Marlins, 7:30, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 4/26:
Rangers-Yankees, 1:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Cubs-Reds, 2:00, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Steve Lyons
Mets-Rockies, 7:30, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Athletics-Blue Jays, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Astros-Padres, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Tigers-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Sunday 4/30:
Tigers-Mariners, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
MAY
Wednesday 5/3:
Braves-Marlins, 7:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Red Sox-Yankees, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Dodgers-Giants, 10:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Dave Campbell
Athletics-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Sunday 5/7:
Mariners-Angels, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 5/10:
Yankees-Blue Jays, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Buck Martinez
Expos-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Mariners-Athletics, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Rangers-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Sunday 5/14:
Expos-Mets, 8:00, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 5/17:
Rockies-Braves, 7:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Tigers-Orioles, 7:30, ESPN alt. Dave Campbell, Jim Rooker
Pirates-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Joel Meyers, Joe Morgan
Cardinals-Padres, 10:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Fred Lynn
Sunday 5/21:
Pirates-Padres, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 5/24:
Braves-Cardinals, 7:30, ESPN. Bob Carpenter, Buck Martinez
Dodgers-Mets, 7:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Jim Rooker
Orioles-Athletics, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Yankees-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Sunday 5/28:
Dodgers-Expos, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Monday 5/29:
White Sox-Indians, 1:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Jim Rooker
Padres-Mets, 1:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Steve Lyons
Dodgers-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Giants-Expos, 7:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Wednesday 5/31:
Dodgers-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Tommy Hutton
White Sox-Indians, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Yankees-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Orioles-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Steve Lyons
JUNE
Sunday 6/4:
Athletics-Orioles, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 6/7:
Mets-Giants, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Expos-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Jim Rooker
Sunday 6/11:
White Sox-Rangers, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 6/14:
Red Sox-Blue Jays, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Tommy Hutton
Astros-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
White Sox-Athletics, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Twins-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Sunday 6/18:
Yankees-Indians, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 6/21:
Red Sox-Indians, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Tommy Hutton
Braves-Reds, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Royals-Angels, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Sunday 6/25:
Giants-Dodgers, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 6/28:
Reds-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Blue Jays-Red Sox, 7:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Jim Rooker
Padres-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Athletics-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
JULY
Sunday 7/2:
Cardinals-Cubs, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Tuesday 7/4:
Rangers-Indians, 1:00, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Jim Rooker
Expos-Cardinals, 1:00, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Steve Lyons
Yankees-White Sox, 4:00, ESPN. Chris Berman, Tommy Hutton
Phillies-Pirates, 4:00, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Joe Torre
Giants-Reds, 7:30, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Dodgers-Braves, 7:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Wednesday 7/5:
Dodgers-Braves, 7:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Giants-Reds, 7:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Steve Lyons
Blue Jays-Angels, 10:30, ESPN. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Sunday 7/9:
Giants-Braves, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Tuesday 7/11:
Baseball All-Star Game from (Arlington) Texas.
National-American, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Lesley Visser, John Saunders, Rick Dempsey
Wednesday 7/12:
Royals-Yankees, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Dave Campbell
Cardinals-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Jim Rooker
Saturday 7/15:
Braves-Padres, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, Joe Garagiola
White Sox-Brewers, 8:00, ABC. Ken Harrelson, John Wathan
Reds-Cubs, 8:00, ABC. Johnny Bench, Keith Hernandez
Rockies-Mets, 8:00, ABC. Bob Murphy, Dave Campbell
Royals-Orioles, 8:00, ABC. Gary Thorne, Paul Splittorff
Twins-Yankees, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Phillies-Expos, 8:00, ABC. Chris Wheeler, Ken Singleton
Cardinals-Pirates, 8:00, ABC. Dewayne Staats, Steve Blass
Rangers-Red Sox, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Joe Torre
Angels-Tigers, 8:00, ABC. Ken Wilson, Lary Sorensen (rained out)
Athletics-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Tom Hamilton, Rick Cerone (telecast called off due to lengthy rain delay)
Marlins-Dodgers, 11:00, ABC. Joel Meyers, Tommy Hutton
Astros-Giants, 11:00, ABC. Ted Robinson, Larry Dierker
Blue Jays-Mariners, 11:00, ABC. Chip Caray, Buck Martinez
Sunday 7/16:
Rangers-Red Sox, 8:00, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Joe Morgan
Monday 7/17:
Orioles-Rangers, 8:00, ABC. Steve Busby, Tommy Hutton
Angels-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Tom Hamilton, Rick Cerone
White Sox-Yankees, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Royals-Red Sox, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Mets-Cubs, 8:00, ABC. Gary Thorne, Keith Hernandez
Athletics-Brewers, 8:00, ABC. Johnny Bench, Joe Torre
Phillies-Rockies, 8:00, ABC. Chris Wheeler, Dave Campbell
Cardinals-Expos, 8:00, ABC. Dave Van Horne, Billy Sample
Blue Jays-Twins, 8:00, ABC. Jim Hunter, Buck Martinez
Reds-Padres, 11:00, ABC. George Grande, Joe Garagiola
Tigers-Mariners, 11:00, ABC. Steve Physioc, Ron Fairly
Marlins-Giants, 11:00, ABC. Ted Robinson, Duane Kuiper
Astros-Dodgers, 11:00, ABC. Joel Meyers, Larry Dierker
Wednesday 7/18:
Phillies-Rockies, 7:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Pirates-Braves, 7:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Jim Rooker
Reds-Padres, 10:30, ESPN. Bob Carpenter, Dave Campbell
Tigers-Athletics, 10:30, ESPN alt. Duane Kuiper, Fred Lynn
Sunday 7/23:
Orioles-Royals, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Monday 7/24:
Braves-Pirates, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, Steve Blass
Rockies-Phillies, 8:00, ABC. Chris Wheeler, Dave Campbell
Dodgers-Astros, 8:00, ABC. Joel Meyers, Larry Dierker
Twins-Red Sox, 8:00, ABC. Bob Kurtz, George Frazier
Mets-Cubs, 8:00, ABC. Gary Thorne, Tommy Hutton
Padres-Reds, 8:00, ABC. Bob Carpenter, Billy Sample
Giants-Marlins, 8:00, ABC. Paul Kennedy, Duane Kuiper
Rangers-Yankees, 8:00, ABC. Steve Busby, Bobby Murcer, Suzyn Waldman
Indians-Angels, 11:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Brewers-Mariners, 11:00, ABC. Steve Physioc, Ron Fairly
Wednesday 7/26:
Rangers-Orioles, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Buck Martinez
Athletics-Tigers, 7:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Jim Rooker
Braves-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Reds-Giants, 10:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Fred Lynn
Sunday 7/30:
Yankees-Twins, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Dave Campbell
AUGUST
Wednesday 8/2:
Phillies-Braves, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Red Sox-Tigers, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Mariners-Angels, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
Giants-Padres, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Saturday 8/5:
Braves-Expos, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, Ken Singleton
Red Sox-Blue Jays, 8:00, ABC. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Cubs-Cardinals, 8:00, ABC. Steve Zabriskie, Rick Cerone
White Sox-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Ken Harrelson, Joe Torre
Marlins-Mets, 8:00, ABC. Bob Murphy, Keith Hernandez
Astros-Pirates, 8:00, ABC. Lanny Frattare, Larry Dierker
Royals-Twins, 8:00, ABC. Dave Armstrong, John Wathan
Brewers-Orioles, 8:00, ABC. Gary Thorne, George Frazier
Yankees-Tigers, 8:00, ABC. Bobby Murcer, Lary Sorensen
Phillies-Reds, 8:00, ABC. George Grande, Chris Wheeler
Padres-Rockies, 8:00, ABC. Steve Physioc, Dave Campbell
Dodgers-Giants, 11:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Rangers-Angels, 11:00, ABC. Ken Wilson, Steve Busby
Sunday 8/6:
Red Sox-Blue Jays, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 8/9:
Indians-Red Sox, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Buck Martinez
Reds-Braves, 7:30, ESPN alt. Dave Campbell, Jim Rooker
Cardinals-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
White Sox-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Fred Lynn
Saturday 8/12:
Orioles-Red Sox, 8:00, ABC. Dewayne Staats, Bob Montgomery
Angels-Twins, 8:00, ABC. Ken Wilson, George Frazier
Reds-Marlins, 8:00, ABC. Paul Kennedy, George Grande
Indians-Yankees, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Rockies-Braves, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, Dave Campbell
Tigers-Brewers, 8:00, ABC. Kent Derdivanis, Lary Sorensen
Expos-Phillies, 8:00, ABC. Chris Wheeler, Mike Schmidt
Mets-Astros, 8:00, ABC. Bob Murphy, Larry Dierker
Athletics-White Sox, 8:00, ABC. Ken Harrelson, John Wathan
Mariners-Royals, 8:00, ABC. Dave Niehaus, Paul Splittorff
Blue Jays-Rangers, 8:00, ABC. Steve Busby, Buck Martinez
Cardinals-Padres, 10:00, ABC. Steve Zabriskie, Jerry Reuss
Cubs-Giants, 11:00, ABC. Steve Physioc, Duane Kuiper
Pirates-Dodgers, 11:00, ABC. Ted Robinson, Steve Blass
Sunday 8/13:
Mets-Astros, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 8/16:
Indians-Orioles, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Marlins-Braves, 7:30, ESPN alt. Dave Campbell, Jim Rooker
Pirates-Padres, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
Cardinals-Giants, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Saturday 8/19:
Braves-Cardinals, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, George Frazier
Cubs-Rockies, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Marlins-Pirates, 8:00, ABC. Paul Kennedy, Steve Blass
Astros-Reds, 8:00, ABC. George Grande, Larry Dierker
Royals-Blue Jays, 8:00, ABC. Dave Armstrong, Buck Martinez
Dodgers-Mets, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Brewers-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Tom Hamilton, Rick Cerone
Twins-Tigers, 8:00, ABC. Bob Carpenter, Lary Sorensen
Padres-Expos, 8:00, ABC. Dave Van Horne, Ken Singleton
Giants-Phillies, 8:00, ABC. Chris Wheeler, Duane Kuiper
Rangers-White Sox, 8:00, ABC. Ken Harrelson, Steve Busby
Orioles-Athletics, 11:00, ABC. Dick Stockton, Jerry Reuss
Red Sox-Mariners, 11:00, ABC. Dave Niehaus, Bob Montgomery
Yankees-Angels, 11:00, ABC. Ken Wilson, Bobby Murcer
Sunday 8/20:
Braves-Cardinals, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 8/23:
Braves-Astros, 7:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Padres-Phillies, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Red Sox-Angels, 10:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Joe Morgan
Orioles-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Friday 8/25:
White Sox-Blue Jays, 8:00, NBC. Ken Harrelson, Buck Martinez
Reds-Pirates, 8:00, NBC. George Grande, Steve Blass
Tigers-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Astros-Marlins, 8:00, NBC. Paul Kennedy, Larry Dierker
Dodgers-Phillies, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Twins-Brewers, 8:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, George Frazier
Cardinals-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Steve Zabriskie, Dave Campbell
Padres-Mets, 8:00, NBC. Bob Murphy, Rick Cerone
Giants-Expos, 8:00, NBC. Duane Kuiper, Ken Singleton
Rangers-Royals, 8:00, NBC. Steve Busby, Paul Splittorff
Orioles-Angels, 11:00, NBC. Ken Wilson, John Walthan
Red Sox-Athletics, 11:00, NBC. Joel Meyers, Bob Montgomery
Yankees-Mariners, 11:00, NBC. Dave Niehaus, Suzyn Waldman
Sunday 8/27:
Dodgers-Phillies, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 8/30:
Mariners-Red Sox, 7:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Buck Martinez
Astros-Braves, 7:30, ESPN alt. Dave Campbell, Jim Rooker
Mets-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
Expos-Padres, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
SEPTEMBER
Friday 9/1:
Angels-Red Sox, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Cubs-Braves, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Indians-Tigers, 8:00, NBC. Tom Hamilton, Lary Sorensen
Rockies-Cardinals, 8:00, NBC. Joe Buck, Dave Campbell
Marlins-Astros, 8:00, NBC. Paul Kennedy, Larry Dierker
Royals-Rangers, 8:00, NBC. Dave Armstrong, John Wathan
Brewers-Twins, 8:00, NBC. Steve Physioc, George Frazier
Athletics-Yankees, 8:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, Keith Hernandez, Suzyn Waldman
Pirates-Reds, 8:00, NBC. Lanny Frattare, Johnny Bench
Mariners-Orioles, 8:00, NBC. Jon Miller, Billy Sample
Expos-Dodgers, 11:00, NBC. Dave Van Horne, Jerry Reuss
Mets-Giants, 11:00, NBC. Bob Murphy, Duane Kuiper
Phillies-Padres, 11:00, NBC. Joe Garagiola, Chris Wheeler
Sunday 9/3:
Royals-Rangers, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Blue Jays-White Sox, 8:00, ESPN alt. Dan Shulman, Buck Martinez
Monday 9/4:
Mariners-Yankees, 1:00, ESPN. Tom Mees, Jim Rooker
Indians-Tigers, 1:15, ESPN alt. Tommy Hutton, Steve Garvey
Reds-Astros, 4:00, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Torre
Expos-Giants, 4:00, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Phillies-Dodgers, 9:00, ESPN. Gary Thorne, Joe Morgan
Blue Jays-Royals, 9:00, ESPN alt. Steve Physioc, Steve Lyons
Wednesday 9/6:
Angels-Orioles, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Phillies-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Expos-Giants, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Friday 9/8:
Braves-Marlins, 8:00, NBC. Pete Van Wieren, Mike Schmidt
Orioles-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Tom Hamilton, Rick Cerone
Red Sox-Yankees, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Reds-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Tigers-Blue Jays, 8:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, Lary Sorensen
Astros-Phillies, 8:00, NBC. Chris Wheeler, Larry Dierker
Dodgers-Pirates, 8:00, NBC. Lanny Frattare, George Frazier
Padres-Cardinals, 8:00, NBC. Dewayne Staats, Buck Martinez
Rangers-Brewers, 8:00, NBC. Steve Busby, Billy Sample
White Sox-Athletics, 11:00, NBC. Ken Harrelson, Jerry Reuss
Royals-Mariners, 11:00, NBC. Dave Niehaus, Paul Splittorff
Twins-Angels, 11:00, NBC. Ken Wilson, John Wathan
Sunday 9/10:
Red Sox-Yankees, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 9/13:
Yankees-Indians, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Rangers-Blue Jays, 7:30, ESPN alt. Bob Carpenter, Jim Rooker
Twins-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
White Sox-Angels, 10:30, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Friday 9/15:
Braves-Reds, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Red Sox-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Tom Hamilton, Bob Montgomery
Marlins-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Paul Kennedy, Dave Campbell
Astros-Expos, 8:00, NBC. Dave Van Horne, Larry Dierker
Dodgers-Cardinals, 8:00, NBC. Joel Meyers, John Wathan
Brewers-Blue Jays, 8:00, NBC. Steve Zabriskie, Buck Martinez
Yankees-Orioles, 8:00, NBC. Jon Miller, Bobby Murcer
Phillies-Mets, 8:00, NBC. Bob Murphy, Rick Cerone.
Giants-Pirates, 8:00, NBC. Ted Robinson, Steve Blass
Mariners-White Sox, 8:00, NBC. Ken Harrelson, Ron Fairly
Rangers-Tigers, 8:00, NBC. Steve Busby, Lary Sorensen
Cubs-Padres, 11:00, NBC. Steve Physioc, Jerry Reuss
Royals-Angels, 11:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Twins-Athletics, 11:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, Paul Splittorff
Sunday 9/17:
Braves-Reds, 8:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 9/20:
Blue Jays-Yankees, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Twins-Royals, 8:00, ESPN alt. Dan Shulman, Jim Rooker
Rangers-Mariners, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Dave Campbell
Giants-Dodgers, 10:30 (possibly JIP), ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Fred Lynn
Friday 9/22:
Orioles-Brewers, 8:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, Rick Cerone
Angels-Rangers, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
White Sox-Twins, 8:00, NBC. Ken Harrelson, George Frazier
Reds-Phillies, 8:00, NBC. Chris Wheeler, Billy Sample
Indians-Royals, 8:00, NBC. Tom Hamilton, John Wathan
Tigers-Yankees, 8:00, NBC. Bobby Murcer, Lary Sorensen
Expos-Braves, 8:00, NBC. Pete Van Wieren, Ken Singleton
Mets-Marlins, 8:00, NBC. Bob Murphy, Mike Schmidt
Cardinals-Astros, 8:00, NBC. Steve Zabriskie, Larry Dierker
Blue Jays-Red Sox, 8:00, NBC. Gary Thorne, Bob Montgomery
Rockies-Giants, 11:00, NBC. Ted Robinson, Dave Campbell
Athletics-Mariners, 11:00, NBC. Dave Niehaus, Buck Martinez
Padres-Dodgers, 11:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 9/27:
Angels-Mariners, 7:30, ESPN. Chris Berman, Buck Martinez
Athletics-Rangers, 8:00, ESPN alt. Joel Meyers, Jim Rooker
Rockies-Dodgers, 10:30, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Morgan
Friday 9/29:
Braves-Mets, 8:00, NBC. Pete Van Wieren, Rick Cerone
Red Sox-Brewers, 8:00, NBC. Bob Kurtz, Jerry Reuss
Reds-Expos, 8:00, NBC. George Grande, Ken Singleton
Tigers-Orioles, 8:00, NBC. Gary Thorne, Lary Sorensen
Royals-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Tom Hamilton, Paul Splittorff
Yankees-Blue Jays, 8:00, NBC. Jim Hunter, Buck Martinez
Giants-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Ted Robinson, Dave Campbell
Mariners-Rangers, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Dodgers-Padres, 11:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Athletics-Angels, 11:00, NBC. Ken Wilson, George Frazier
OCTOBER
Sunday 10/1:
*Yankees-Blue Jays, 1:30, ESPN2. Charley Steiner, Jim Rooker
Astros-Cubs, 2:15, ESPN2. Tom Mees, Fred Lynn
*Mariners-Rangers, 3:00, ESPN. Dan Shulman, Buck Martinez
Giants-Rockies, 3:00, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Athletics-Angels, 4:00, ESPN. Dewayne Staats, Joe Torre
Note: jt's notes indicate that as many as five games were carried by ESPN. Per Jeff79 and some personal research, three of these telecasts have been confirmed and are listed above. I have decided to list the other two games as well. With the Tyson Holly Farms 400 NASCAR race originally scheduled for 4:00 PM on ESPN, and with NASCAR's popularity beginning to rise, it is possible that some cable outlets chose to air the race as opposed to the baseball in the NASCAR hotbeds, or ESPN may have chosen to switch the race in progress to the Deuce. Likely, the race may have been bumped to a tape-delay status. Any confirmation or recollection on how all of this played out is appreciated.
Monday 10/2:
Angels-Mariners (playoff), 4:30, ESPN. Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Chris Berman, Dave Campbell
Postseason
LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES
Tuesday 10/3:
Game 1, Red Sox-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Game 1, Mariners-Yankees, 8:00, NBC. Gary Thorne, Tommy Hutton
Game 1, Braves-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Pete Van Wieren, Larry Dierker
Game 1, Reds-Dodgers, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Wednesday 10/4:
Game 2, Red Sox-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Game 2, Mariners-Yankees, 8:00, NBC. Gary Thorne, Tommy Hutton
Game 2, Braves-Rockies, 8:00, NBC. Pete Van Wieren, Larry Dierker
Game 2, Reds-Dodgers, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Friday 10/6:
Game 3, Indians-Red Sox, 8:00, ABC. Steve Zabriskie, Tommy Hutton, Bob Stevens
Game 3, Yankees-Mariners, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Game 3, Rockies-Braves, 8:00, ABC. Pete Van Wieren, Larry Dierker
Game 3, Dodgers-Reds, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Saturday 10/7:
Game 4, Yankees-Mariners, 7:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Game 4, Rockies-Braves, 7:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Sunday 10/8:
Game 5, Yankees-Mariners, 7:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat, Jack Arute
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Tuesday 10/10:
Game 1, Braves-Reds, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Game 1, Indians-Mariners, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Wednesday 10/11:
Game 2, Braves-Reds, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver
Game 2, Indians-Mariners, 8:00, ABC. Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat
Friday 10/13:
Game 3, Mariners-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker, Jim Gray
Game 3, Reds-Braves, 8:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan
Saturday 10/14:
Game 4, Mariners-Indians, 7:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Game 4, Reds-Braves, 7:00, NBC. Greg Gumbel, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench
Sunday 10/15:
Game 5, Mariners-Indians, 7:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker
Tuesday 10/17:
Game 6, Indians-Mariners, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker, Jim Gray, Hannah Storm
WORLD SERIES
Saturday 10/21:
Game 1, Indians-Braves, 7:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Lesley Visser
Sunday 10/22:
Game 2, Indians-Braves, 7:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker, Joe Morgan, Jim Gray
Tuesday 10/24:
Game 3, Braves-Indians, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker, Joe Morgan, Jim Gray
Wednesday 10/25:
Game 4, Braves-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Lesley Visser
Thursday 10/26:
Game 5, Braves-Indians, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Lesley Visser
Saturday 10/28:
Game 6, Indians-Braves, 8:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Bob Uecker, Joe Morgan, Jim Gray, Hannah Storm
Broadcast TV Info
Originally written by garretta
National League
So we move ahead to 1995 and begin with the broadcast TV outlook Iin the National League East:
Braves: WTBS-TV (Channel 17) will carry 122 games on both its local and national services. Both WTBS and the Braves are owned by Turner Broadcasting System.
Marlins: WBFS-TV (Channel 33) is the flagship of a six-station network that will carry fifty-two games. This is the third year of a four-year contract.
Mets: WWOR-TV (Channel 9) will carry seventy-three games on both its local and national services. This is the fourth year of a five-year contract. The team has a revenue-sharing deal with WWOR.
Phillies: WPHL (Channel 17) will air eighty-one games, which two other stations will also receive. Thos is the third year of a five-year contract. The team has a revenue-sharing deal with WPHL.
Expos: SRC will air thirty-two games in French, and TQS will air twenty games in English. Each station will head a fifteen-station network in its respective language, This is the first year of a five-year contract.
(I've heard of quite a few stations/networks in Quebec, but TDS isn't one of them, at least not that I recall,)
CENTRAL:
Cubs: WGN-TV (Channel 9) will televise 140 games on both its local and national feeds. Both the team and WGN are owned by The Tribune Company.
Reds: WLWT-TV (Channel 5) is the head of a sixteen-station network that will televise fitly-three games. This is the second year of a two-year contract.
Astros: KTXH-TV (Channel 20) is the flagship of a sixteen-station network that will televise sixty-three games. This is the final year of a ten-year contract.
Cardinals: KPLR-TV (Channel 11) is the flagship of a twenty-station network that will televise sixty games. All games will be produced by Anheuser-Busch, which shares revenue with KPLR. (Anheuser-Busch owns the team.)
Pirates: WPXI-TV (Channel 11) has a one-year contract and will televise eleven games. WPXI has a revenue-sharing agreement with the team. There was no word on a potential network at press time. (I don't recall them ever forming one, either.)
WEST:
Rockies: KWGN-TV (Channel 2) is the flagship of an eight-station network that will carry ninety games. This is the third year of a five-year contract.
Giants: KTVU-TV (Channel 2) heads a six-station network that will carry fifty-eight games. This is the first year of a six-year contract.
Dodgers: KTLA-TV (Channel 5) will televise forty-six games. This is the third year of a five-year contract.
Padres: KFMB-AM (Channel Eight) will televise twenty-three games themselves and buy time on KTTY-TV (Chanel 26) to televise thirty-five more. This is the first year of a three-year contract.
Now let's move to the American League, beginning in the East:
American League
Red Sox: WSBK-TV (Channel 38) will televise seventy-five games. There was no word on a network at press time. This is the first year of a six-year contract
Tigers: WKBD-TV (Channel 50) heads a five-station network that will televise sixty-games. This is the first year of a five-year contract.
Blue Jays: The team's rights are split. Baytone will televise thirty-five games to a twenty-station network, while the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) televises twenty-five games to a thirty-nine-station network, This is the fourth year of a five-year contract.
Orioles: WJZ-TV (Channel 13) is the flagship of a nine-station network that will televise thirty-five games. The station has also bought time on WNUV-TV (Channel 54) to televise thirty-five more games. This is the second year of a five-year contract.
Yankees: MSG Network holds all of the team's television rights and has sublicensed fifty games to WPIX-TV (Channel 11). This is the second year of a three-year contract.
CENTRAL:
Indians: WUAB-TV (Channel 43) will carry sixty-one games. This is the final year of a four-year contract.
Royals: KSMO-TV (Channel 62) is the flagship of a nineteen-station network that will televise sixty-two games. This is the final year of a three-year contract.
Brewers: WVTV (Channel 18) heads a five-station network that will carry sixty-six games. Contract information was unknown at press time.
White Sox: WGN-TV (Channel 9) will televise fifty games on both its local and national feeds. This is the first year of a three-year contract. The team has a revenue-sharing agreement with WGN.
Twins: WCCO-TV (Channel 4) will televise forty-two games and sublicense eight more to KLGT-TV (Channel 23). Thia is the second year of a four-year contract.
WEST:
Rangers: KTVT-TV (Channel 11) is the flagship of a thirteen-station network that will carry ninety games. This is the final year of a three-year contract.
Athletics: KRON (Channel 4) heads an eleven-station network that will carry fifty games. Contract details were unavailable at press time,
Angels: KTLA-TV (Channel 5) will televise fifty-two games. This is the final year of a four-year contract.
Mariners: KIRO-TV (Channel 7) leads a six-station network that will televise sixty-four games. This is the first year of a three-year contract.
Cable TV Info
Originally written by garretta
National League
Now let's look at the cable-TV situation in 1995, beginning in the National League East:
Expos: None
Braves: SportSouth will televise twenty-four games. Turner Broadcasting owns both the team and SportSouth.
Phillies: The team's cable rights are split. PRISM will televise forty-three games, while SportsChannel Philadelphia televises twenty-five games. Contract information was unavailable at press time.
Marlins: Sunshine Network will televise sixty games. This is the third year of a four-year contract.
Mets: SportsChannel New York will televise seventy-five games. This is the ninth year of a thirty-year contract.
WEST:
Rockies: None
Dodgers: None
Giants: SportsChannel Pacific will carry fifty-four games. This is the fifth year of a six-year contract.
Padres: Prime Ticket will carry twenty-five games. This is the second year of a six-year contract.
CENTRAL:
Cubs; Chicagoland will air nine games. Both the team and Chicagoland are owned by The Tribune Company.
Astros: Prime Sports will be the team's cable carrier. Number of games and length of contract are still under negotiation,
Cardinals: Prime Sports will air forty games. This is the second year of a three-year contract. The team and Prime Sports have a revenue-sharing agreement.
Reds: SportsChannel Cincinnati will air thirty-five games. This is the third year of a three-year contract.
Pirates: KBL Network has a one-year contract to televise seventy-five games.
American League
Now let's go to the American League, beginning in the West:
Athletics: SportsChannel Pacific will be the team's cable carrier. Number of games and length of contract were unknown at press time.
Rangers: Prime Sports has a one-year contract to televise fifty-seven games.
Mariners: Prime Sports Northwest will televise forty games. This is the second year of a three-year contract.
Angels: Prime Sports West will televise twenty-six games. This is the third year of a five-year contract.
EAST:
Blue Jays: TSN (The Sports Network) will air eighty games. This is the second year of a three-year contract.
Orioles: Home Team Sports will air seventy-nine games. This is the second year of a three-year contract.
Yankees: MSG (Madison Square Garden Network) will air ninety-seven games. This is the seventh year of a twelve-year contract.
Red Sox: NESN (New England Sports Network) will air seventy-five games. This is the eleventh year of a sixteen-year contract.
Tigers: PASS (Pro Am Sports) will air seventy games. Contract information was unavailable at press time.
CENTRAL:
White Sox: SportsChannel Chicago will carry ninety-nine games. This is the twelfth year of a seventeen-year contract.
Indians: SportsChannel Ohio will carry sixty games. This is the third year of a three-year contract.
Twins: Midwest Sports Channel will carry eighty-four games. This is the second year of a four-year contract. WCCO-TV and Midwest Sports Channel share common ownership.
Royals: None
Brewers: None
Local Radio Info
Originally written by garretta
National League
Now let's discuss local radio in 1995. We begin in the National League East:
Marlins: WQAM-AM (560) is the team's English flagship. It heads a twenty-one-station network. This is the third year of a four-year contract. WCMQ-AM (1210) broadcasts the team's games in Spanish. They're also in the third year of a four-year contract. Network size was undetermined at press time.
Expos: CKAC-AM (730) heads the team's forty-station French-language network. CIQC-AM (940) leads the team's nine-station English-language network. Both stations are in the first year of four-year contracts.
Braves: WSB-AM (750) is the flagship of a 150-station network. This is the first year of a five-year contract.
Phillies: WGMP-AM (1210) heads a twenty-one-station network, This is the third year of a five-year contract.
Mets: WFAN-AM (660) is the flagship of a twenty-station network, This is the final year of a five-year contract.
CENTRAL:
Cardinals: KMOX-AM (1120) heads a network of an estimated 120 stations. This is the fourth year of a five-year contract.
Reds: WLW-AM (700) leads a seventy-station network. Contract information was unavailable at press time.
Astros: KPRC-AM (950) is the flagship of a fifty-station network, This is the final year of a five-year contract.
Pirates: KDKA-AM (1020) has a one-year contract to lead a fifty-two-station network.
Cubs: WGN-AM (720) is the flagship of a fifty-three-station network. Both the team and WGN are owned by The Tribune Company.
WEST:
Giants: KNBR-AM (680) heads a sixteen-station network. This is the first year of a four-year contract.
Padres: KFMB-AM (760) is in the first year of a three-year contract. Network size was unavailable at press time.
Rockies: KOA-AM (850) heads a forty-station network. This is the first year of a three-year contract.
Dodgers: KABC-AM (790) leads a thirty-one-station network. This is the third year of a five-year contract.
American League
Now to the American League, beginning in the West:
Rangers: KRLD-AM (1080) leads a fifty-one-station network. This is the first year of a five-year contract.
Mariners: KIRO-AM (710) is the flagship of a thirty-station network. This is the third year of a five-year contract.
Athletics: KNEW-AM (910) heads a twenty-station network. This is the second year of a four-year contract.
Angels: KMPC-AM (710) is the head of a ten-station network. This is the second year of a three-year contract
CENTRAL:
White Sox: WMAQ-AM (670) heads a twenty-eight-station network. This is the final year of a four-year contract. The team retains revenue generated by beer commercials.
Indians: WKNR-AM (1220) leads a thirty-two-station network. This is the second year of a three-year contract.
Twins: WCCO-AM is the head of a seventy-station network. This is the second year of a four-year contract.
Brewers: WTMJ-AM (620) is the flagship of a forty-eight-station network. This is the final year of a four-year contract.
Royals: WIBW-AM (580) heads a 115-station network. This is the first year of a three-year contract.
EAST:
Orioles: WBAL-AM (1090) is in the second year of a three-year contract. Network size was unavailable at press time.
Tigers: WJR-AM (760) leads a thirty-five-station network. This is the final year of a five-year contract.
Yankees: WABC-AM (770) is the flagship of a twenty-station network. This is the ninth year of a ten-year contract.
Blue Jays: CJCL-AM (590) heads a forty-eight-station network. This is the fifth year of a six-year contract.
Red Sox: The American Radio System holds the team's rights. This is the second year of a three-year contract. Network size was unavailable at press time. It was undecided at press time whether WEEI-AM or WRKO-AM would serve as the network's flagship station.
National TV/Radio Info
Originally written by garretta
Before I do radio in 1995, I might as well ger national TV out of the way.
ESPN: Coverage begins with an Opening Night special on Tuesday, April 25 when the Marlins host the Dodgers; Jon Miller and Joe Morgan will call the action. From then on, the network shows a Wednesday night doubleheader and Sunday Night Baseball. Alternate feed games will be provided on most Wednesdays end special coverage days.
Special coverage will be provided on April 26 (Opening Day), May 29 (Memorial Day), July 4, and Labor Day (September 4). Miller and Morgan will call SNB most weeks, Sean McDonough fills in for Miller on May 14 (Expos-Mets) and July 16 (Rangers-Red Sox); Dave Campbell replaces Morgan on July 30 (Yankees-Twins). An alternate feed game will be provided on September 3 (Blue Jays-White Sox). There will be special coverage of selected games relevant to the pennant races on Sunday, October 1, with games also airing on ESPN2,
The American League West tiebreaker playoff between the Angels and the Mariners will air on Monday, October 2 from the Kingdome in Seattle. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM Eastern with Miller and Morgan on the call. Chris Berman and Dave Campbell will also be on hand. (I have a hard time imagining Boomer as a dugout reporter; he and Campbell were probably at the Kingdome to host Baseball Tonight on-site. I watched the game live from my dorm room at St. Vincent College, but don't remember their exact roles. Can anyone fill us in?) CBS Radio most likely broadcast the game nationally, but we have no confirmation of this.
Here are the announcers ESPN used in 1995:
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Jon Miller
Chris Berman
Steve Physioc
Bob Carpenter
Dewayne Staats
Joel Meyers
Sean McDonough
Dave Campbell
Duane Kuiper
Dan Shulman
Tom Mees
Tommy Hutton
Gary Thorne
Charley Steiner
ANALYSTS:
Joe Morgan
Buck Martinez
Steve Lyons
Jim Rooker
Dave Campbell
Fred Lynn
Tommy Hutton
Joe Torre
Steve Garvey
ABC: Baseball Night in America is back for its second (and final) year, and ABC will carry its first half, beginning with the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas on July 11. Coverage begins at 8PM Eastern. Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, and Tim McCarver will call the action, with Lesley Visser serving as a dugout reporter. John Saunders and Rick Dempsey will also be on site, most likely for pre- and postgame coverage. John Rooney, Jerry Coleman, and Jeff Torborg will call the game for CBS Radio.
Weekly coverage begins on Saturday, July 15 and continues for six weeks. First pitch in the East is at 8PM Eastern; first pitch in the West is at 11PM Eastern, Coverage shifts to Monday night on July 17 and 24, then goes back to Saturdays for the first three weeks in August. ABC's last night of regular-season coverage is August 19.
As was the case last year, most markets get just one game. For two-team markets, the ABC affiliate airs one game, while the other game can (not necessarily will) be placed on another station in the market. If an Eastern team plays out west, that team's market still gets an 8PM game and will not air their local team's game.
NBC: The Peacock will air the second half of the BNIA package on the final six Friday nights of the regular season, beginning August 25.
Here's a list of the announcers that were seen as part of The Baseball Network:
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Al Michaels
Pete Van Wieren
Ken Harrelson
Johnny Bench
Bob Murphy
Gary Thorne
Chris Wheeler
Dewayne Staats
Brent Musburger
Joel Meyers
Ted Robinson
Chip Caray
Steve Busby
Tom Hamilton
Dave Van Horne
Jim Hunter
George Grande
Steve Physioc
Bob Kurtz
Bob Carpenter
Paul Kennedy
Steve Zabriskie
Lanny Frattare
Dave Armstrong
Bobby Murcer
Ken Wilson
Kent Derdivanis
Dave Niehaus
Dick Stockton
Bob Costas
Greg Gumbel
Duane Kuiper
Joe Buck
Joe Garagiola
ANALYSTS:
Jim Palmer
Tim McCarver
Joe Garagiola
John Wathan
Keith Hernandez
Dave Campbell
Paul Splittorff
Ken Singleton
Steve Blass
Joe Torre
Tommy Hutton
Larry Dierker
Buck Martinez
Rick Cerone
Jim Kaat
Billy Sample
Ron Fairly
Duane Kuiper
George Frazier
Bobby Murcer
Suzyn Waldman
Lary Sorensen
Chris Wheeler
Steve Busby
Bob Montgomery
George Granda
Mike Schmidt
Jerry Reuss
Bob Uecker
Joe Morgan
Johnny Bench
(I hope I remembered every name; those lists were huge. Also, some of the analysts listed were play-by-play men and vice versa, xo who actually did which job when for some of the games is impossible to tell.)
Now to the postseason. Here's the breakdown by series:
Red Sox-Indians (ALDS): NBC has the first two games in Cleveland on October 3 and 4, with Bob Costas and Bob Uecker on the call. Coverage shifts to Fenway Park in Boston on October 6; Steve Zabriskie and Tommy Hutton take over for ABC, with Bob Stevens as the dugout reporter.
Mariners-Yankees (ALDS): The series begins at Yankee Stadium on October 3 and 4, with Gary Thorna and Tommy Hutton calling the action for NBC. ABC has the final three games in Seattle on October 6, 7, and 8, with Brent Musburger and Jim Kaat on the call. Jack Arute, already in Seattle for the Notre-Dame-Washington college football game on 10/7, serves as the dugout reporter for Game 5.
Braves-Rockies (NLDS): Pete Van Wieren and Larry Dierker call the first three games: October 3 and 4 in Denver for NBC and October 6 in Atlanta for ABC. With the Reds-Dodgers series already over, Al Michaels, Jim Palmer and Tim McCarver race to Atlanta to do Game 4 on October 7.
Reds-Dodgers (NLDS): Greg Gumbel and Joe Morgan do the first two games from Dodger Stadium on October 3 and 4. Al, Jim, and Tim take the reins for ABC on October 6 in Cincinnati.
Braves-Reds (NLCS): ABC has the first two games from Riverfront Stadium on October 10 and 11 with Messrs. Michaels, Palmer, and McCarver. NBC has its turn in Atlanta for Games 3 and 4 on October 13 and 14, with Messrs. Gumbel and Morgan calling the action.
Indians-Mariners (ALCS): Brent and Jim stay in Seattle to call the first two games on October 10 and 11 for ABC. NBC takes the baton on October 13, with Costas and Uke presiding. Jim Gray is a dugout reporter for Game 3 only, The strict ABC-NBC rotation is broken for the first time in Game 6 on October 17, as the two Bobs and NBC follow the series back to the Kingdome.
(If I recall correctly, ABC would have had Game 7 if there had been one. I'm guessing NBC got Game 6 because Michaels needed a day off after calling baseball games in Cincinnati and Atlanta plus MNF in Denver over the last four days.)
Indians-Braves (World Series): ABC gets Game 1 in Atlanta on October 21. Lesley Visser joins Al, Jim, and Tim as the dugout reporter. Al's busy with MNF in Foxborough for the next few days, so Costas, Uke and Morgan preside over Game 2 in Alanta on October 22 and Game 3 in Cleveland on October 24 for NBC. Jim Gray serves as dugout reporter. ABC's back in the saddle for Games 4 and 5 on October 25 and 26, with Al, Jim, Tim, and Lesley present and accounted for. NBC's team of Costas, Uecker, Morgan and Gray returns for Game 6 in Atlanta on October 28 as the Braves win it all. Hannah Storm hosts the trophy presentation as well as NBC's pregame show. John Saunders hosts the ABC pregame show,
Vin Scully and Jeff Torborg will call the series for CBS Radio; John Rooney will host the pregame show.
All postseason telecasts will start at 8PM on weeknights and 7PM on weekends.
(If anybody knows which parts of the country got which series, or even knows which series they got, please post it. In Pittsburgh, I know we got Reds-Dodgers in the Division Series, but I think we got Yankees-Mariners over Rockies-Braves for Game 4 in spite of being a National League market. Our LCS was Braves-Reds. as I recall.)
Here are the rest of CBS Radio's postseason announcers:
Braves-Rockies (NLDS): Gene Elston, Gary Cohen
Reds-Dodgers (NLDS) and Braves-Reds (NLCS): Jerry Coleman, Jim Hunter
Mariners-Yankees (ALDS): Ernie Harwell, Al Downing
Indians-Red Sox (ALDS) and Indians-Mariners (ALCS): John Rooney, Jeff Torborg
Miscellaneous Notes
Originally written by garretta A random news and notes post, mostly having to do with strike contingency plans (Remember, the strike wasn't settled yet when this issue of Broadcasting and Cable hit the stands in late March):
As of press time, NBC had agreed to show its part of The Baseball Network package, but ABC had not. (Could Fox have stepped in a year early? I wouldn't think CBS would want baseball back after the bath they'd just taken. NBC probably takes the whole thing if ABC opts out, which would have made the whole Baseball Network concept superfluous.) Two dumb comments from Baseball Network President Ken Schanzer that show why the whole thing flopped: First, in 1994 he said that the whole purpose of the network was to use regional telecasts to create national stars. How the hell is that possible? I know they wanted an NFL-style broadcast model, but they forgot that there were still standalone national NFL telecasts on Sunday and Monday nights; those were the ones that made the stars, along with the nationally televised playoff games that TBN was so happy to get rid of. The second comment came from '95, when he said that TBN was still committed to what he felt it did best: providing more information during each game about the other games taking place at the time, the ones the viewers weren't watching. (The italics are mine.)
Put simply, that's like McDonalds using Big Macs as an inducement to buy Chicken McNuggets. Unless I'm watching NFL Red Zone or some other program that I know is all about whiparound coverage, the last thing in the world I'm thinking about when I'm watching one game is another game being played between two teams I neither follow nor care about. The only exception is during playoff races that involve my team, and that only extends to fellow contenders, not every game on the schedule. Back to notes; Since ad revenues for the first two years of TBN won't total $330 million, the owners can vote to void the other four years of the deal after this year. (Since they were making about $9 million less per man with TBN than they had with CBS, they did indeed take that vote, and TBN was toast for '96.) WABC Radio has filed a breach of contract suit against the Yankees because the team insists on being paid all of the rights fees it's owed even though there's virtually no market for games involving replacement players. MSG Network has joined WABC in seeking financial relief from the Yankees, but none seems to be forthcoming. Astros flagship KTXH-TV and Rangers flagship KTVT-TV have already decided not to air replacement games at all; the teams were still deciding whether to file suit or try to find another outlet. Like the Yankees, the Astros are demanding full payment of the contract even if replacement players are used in the regular season. An official for KTXH says that his station, which had already lost $3-4 million in ad revenue, says that his station won't consider showing games until at least 75% of last year's roster is playing, which he says is a reasonable amount that takes into consideration normal trade activity and retirements. Meanwhile, up the road in Fort Worth, KTVT had originally agreed to air replacement games, but later changed its mind thanks to a gentle nudge from their new network CBS, which wants its lineup preempted as little as possible, WLWT-TV has apparently decided to limit its number of preseason Reds telecasts but hasn't made a decision about the regular season yet. In Baltimore, everyone's in agreement; Orioles owner Peter Angelos won't field a replacement team, the city of Baltimore has banned replacement games, and WJZ-TV had already scrapped its preseason telecasts because of low sales. Another group of cities are taking a wait-and-see approach. This group includes cities where rights fees are higher, such as Boston and Los Angeles, and cities which have just signed a new television contract such as Seattle, where KIRO-TV says that it will monitor fan attendance and ratings early in the season before making a final decision. The Red Sox and WSBK-TV are trying to figure out their respective financial situations before making a deal official, but the Sox want to give the station some kind of rebate, and the station wants to televise replacement baseball. The same holds for KTLA-TV and their teams the Angels and Dodgers. Other teams, including the Royals and Marlins, have final agreements with their respective rights holders (KSMO-TV and WBFS-TV). A final group of teams have revenue-sharing agreements with their outlets, such as the Mets and the Cardinals. Stations like WWOR-TV (Mets) and KPLR-TV (Cardinals) are committed to replacement ball no matter what. So far, they haven't been hurt too badly; the ratings for the Mets' first exhibition telecast of the season were down 17% from 1994, and the Cards' telecasts so far this spring have averaged a 3 rating, down a full point from year according to KPLR general manager Mike Lumis.