GaryMrMets
01-08-2002, 01:57 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-01-08/Metro_Sports/Baseball/a-137531.asp
YES, O'Neill! Paul to Bat Cleanup in Booth
Paul O'Neill is coming back to the Bronx, but instead of swinging a bat he will be schlepping a microphone.
Well-embedded moles report that the gutty outfielder, who retired following last season, will be a member of the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network pre and postgame show team. O'Neill likely will work 25 of the shows, joining Fred Hickman, Suzyn Waldman and Bobby Murcer.
With O'Neill in the YES fold, the network is close to finalizing its entire roster, which could be announced this week. The crew is a blend of familiar faces.
Here's the expected lineup.
Michael Kay (TV) — He leaves the Yankees radio side, after a 10-year run, to move to television, where he will work 100 games. Sources said Kay was looking to make the shift to TV and was told if YES brass could find a suitable replacement for him it was all for the switch. His only previous Yankee TV appearances were on MSG's pre and postgame shows. It will be interesting to see how Kay adapts to the TV side. His reporting and attention to detail will be an asset. Kay moves into a spot where he can be a catalyst for talk and analysis. Does his move to TV mean his days of "interlocking NY" and "no name ... of course" are over?
Ken Singleton (TV) — The likeable veteran will work 100 games. Singleton moves over from MSG, where he worked the mike for five seasons. Always steady, Singleton is an unflappable guy who puts fans' interests first.
Jim Kaat (TV) — For so many years, most recently on MSG telecasts, he has been recognized as one of the top analysts in the game. Kitty will work 85 games in the YES booth. Kaat has never been shy about voicing a strong opinion. I don't expect that to change even though he is working for a Yankee network. His rips are always logical and measured. Bringing Kitty back is a good move by YES brass.
Suzyn Waldman (TV) — YES honchos already announced that Waldman will work 35 games, doing play-by-play. Her primary role will be on the pre and postgame shows, working 120. Waldman will do a combination of interviews and longer feature stories. Her long career as a Yankees WFAN beat reporter should come in handy in her new assignment.
Bobby Murcer (TV) — A fixture in the Yankees broadcast booth since 1983, the popular former Bomber will work 15-20 games. Murcer will also join the pre and postgame shows for 25 sessions. The man from Oklahoma is now the most visible and vocal link to Yankee history. Along with O'Neill, he brings Yankee tradition to YES' broadcasting roster.
Fred Hickman (TV) — The veteran CNN sports anchor will have a crucial role as the host of every hour-long pregame show as well as the postgame. He is a versatile performer who should bring a no-nonsense approach to the gig. He will be the cat who gets the most on-camera time. Hickman has always placed a priority on reporting. And the way things go down in Yankeeland, having a guy who looks for news is a darn good thing.
John Sterling (Radio) — This will be Sterling's 14th season in the Yankees radio booth. He will work all Yankee games on the team's new outlet WCBS-AM. Sources said that's where he wanted to be and that he was not anxious to move to television. The "high ... far ... gone" man will be working with his fourth new partner after Jay Johnstone, Joe Angel and Kay.
Charley Steiner (Radio) — He moves from ESPN where he was, most recently, ESPN Radio's No. 1 baseball play-by-play voice. Steiner will work every Yankees radiocast. It will be interesting to hear how he blends in with the eclectic stylings of Sterling, who is clearly the top banana in the radio booth.
With the number of TV voices on the YES roster, you can expect to see different combinations. You may even see YES using a three-person booth on occasion.
When YES brass sets its lineup in stone, it will be far from the last move it makes. YES has many programming hours to fill. Spies say YES suits are strongly considering simulcasting Mike Francesa and Chris Russo's WFAN afternoon drive-time show.
E-mail: braissman@edit.nydailynews.com
Original Publication Date: 1/8/02
YES, O'Neill! Paul to Bat Cleanup in Booth
Paul O'Neill is coming back to the Bronx, but instead of swinging a bat he will be schlepping a microphone.
Well-embedded moles report that the gutty outfielder, who retired following last season, will be a member of the Yankees Entertainment & Sports Network pre and postgame show team. O'Neill likely will work 25 of the shows, joining Fred Hickman, Suzyn Waldman and Bobby Murcer.
With O'Neill in the YES fold, the network is close to finalizing its entire roster, which could be announced this week. The crew is a blend of familiar faces.
Here's the expected lineup.
Michael Kay (TV) — He leaves the Yankees radio side, after a 10-year run, to move to television, where he will work 100 games. Sources said Kay was looking to make the shift to TV and was told if YES brass could find a suitable replacement for him it was all for the switch. His only previous Yankee TV appearances were on MSG's pre and postgame shows. It will be interesting to see how Kay adapts to the TV side. His reporting and attention to detail will be an asset. Kay moves into a spot where he can be a catalyst for talk and analysis. Does his move to TV mean his days of "interlocking NY" and "no name ... of course" are over?
Ken Singleton (TV) — The likeable veteran will work 100 games. Singleton moves over from MSG, where he worked the mike for five seasons. Always steady, Singleton is an unflappable guy who puts fans' interests first.
Jim Kaat (TV) — For so many years, most recently on MSG telecasts, he has been recognized as one of the top analysts in the game. Kitty will work 85 games in the YES booth. Kaat has never been shy about voicing a strong opinion. I don't expect that to change even though he is working for a Yankee network. His rips are always logical and measured. Bringing Kitty back is a good move by YES brass.
Suzyn Waldman (TV) — YES honchos already announced that Waldman will work 35 games, doing play-by-play. Her primary role will be on the pre and postgame shows, working 120. Waldman will do a combination of interviews and longer feature stories. Her long career as a Yankees WFAN beat reporter should come in handy in her new assignment.
Bobby Murcer (TV) — A fixture in the Yankees broadcast booth since 1983, the popular former Bomber will work 15-20 games. Murcer will also join the pre and postgame shows for 25 sessions. The man from Oklahoma is now the most visible and vocal link to Yankee history. Along with O'Neill, he brings Yankee tradition to YES' broadcasting roster.
Fred Hickman (TV) — The veteran CNN sports anchor will have a crucial role as the host of every hour-long pregame show as well as the postgame. He is a versatile performer who should bring a no-nonsense approach to the gig. He will be the cat who gets the most on-camera time. Hickman has always placed a priority on reporting. And the way things go down in Yankeeland, having a guy who looks for news is a darn good thing.
John Sterling (Radio) — This will be Sterling's 14th season in the Yankees radio booth. He will work all Yankee games on the team's new outlet WCBS-AM. Sources said that's where he wanted to be and that he was not anxious to move to television. The "high ... far ... gone" man will be working with his fourth new partner after Jay Johnstone, Joe Angel and Kay.
Charley Steiner (Radio) — He moves from ESPN where he was, most recently, ESPN Radio's No. 1 baseball play-by-play voice. Steiner will work every Yankees radiocast. It will be interesting to hear how he blends in with the eclectic stylings of Sterling, who is clearly the top banana in the radio booth.
With the number of TV voices on the YES roster, you can expect to see different combinations. You may even see YES using a three-person booth on occasion.
When YES brass sets its lineup in stone, it will be far from the last move it makes. YES has many programming hours to fill. Spies say YES suits are strongly considering simulcasting Mike Francesa and Chris Russo's WFAN afternoon drive-time show.
E-mail: braissman@edit.nydailynews.com
Original Publication Date: 1/8/02