In Oklahoma City, Mel Bracht reports ESPN play-by-play announcer Ron Franklin "plans to retire when his network contract expires in April." Franklin said that he is "'98.5[%] sure' he will retire after broadcasting the 2010 NIT championship." Franklin: "I think this is going to be my last rodeo. I will not miss the travel. It's just really beginning to beat me up." Franklin added that he "planned to continue to do some television work in his hometown of Austin" ( DAILY OKLAHOMAN, 7/17 ). STAYING AT HOME : In Denver, Patrick Saunders reports Rockies radio play-by-play announcer Jeff Kingery's role is "being reduced because of an outburst on the team bus last month." The driver of the bus "got temporarily lost ... on the way back to the team hotel" following a June 29 game at Dodger Stadium, and sources said that Kingery "lost his temper and used profane language that upset and offended the bus driver." Kingery "will be limited to calling primarily home games for the remainder of the season," and the team also has "banned him from the team bus and team plane" ( DENVER POST, 7/17 ). TALKING IT OUT : In St. Louis, Dan Caesar reports FS Midwest analyst Al Hrabosky, who was criticized by Cardinals manager Tony La Russa for comments he made during the July 10 game against the Cubs, said that he will meet Friday with La Russa. Hrabosky is "known for being outspoken about as much as Albert Pujols is for bunting," and that is a "key element that has fueled the spat -- Hrabosky pointing out something negative about a Cardinal is out of character." FS Midwest VP & GM Jack Donovan: "We don't see this as much of an issue. Al simply called the play as he saw it. He described what he saw on the field and gave his opinion" ( ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/17 ). CHANGE FOR THE BETTER? In California, John Maffei writes first-year Padres TV play-by-play announcer Mark Neely is the "polar opposite of the departed Matt Vasgersian." Vasgersian had "great rapport with color analyst Mark Grant," but Neely is "less nonsense and more baseball." Maffei writes Neely is a "strong play-by-play man." Maffei: "Neely knows the game. He does his homework" ( NORTH COUNTY TIMES, 7/17 ). NOTES : Marlins Special Assistant Jeff Conine is filling in for Marlins TV analyst Tommy Hutton during this weekend's Phillies-Marlins series as Hutton's contract "allows him to take off one series each season" ( MIAMI HERALD, 7/17 )....Skateboarder Tony Hawk will serve as a skateboard analyst during ESPN's coverage of the July 30-August 2 X Games. Hawk will work all five skateboard events -- Big Air, Vert, Park, Street and first-time event Big Air Rail Jam -- alongside announcer Sal Masekela ( ESPN )....BBC announcer Ray Stubbs has been hired by ESPN to "host its coverage of Premier League football when it launches" in the U.K. next month. Stubbs, who joined the BBC in '83, will make his debut with the August 15 Arsenal-Everton match, the net's first live EPL match ( Manchester GUARDIAN, 7/17 ).
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| ESPN's Ron Franklin Plans To Retire In April When His Contract Expires |
