In early January, Bob Uecker announced that he would be sitting out some Brewers Radio Network broadcasts this year. Those games will be during some of the West Coast swings the team makes.
The most fans will miss "Mr. Baseball," but many I’ve spoken with said they certainly understand. For Uecker being 80, we are lucky to get the number of games with him that we do.
On Monday, Uecker mentioned during his broadcast who may be filling in, working with Joe Block during the games. According to the Radio Network, owned and operated by Journal Communications, and the Milwaukee Brewers front office, two of the fill-ins will be Craig Counsell and Darryl Hamilton.
Both former players, they should bring a unique perspective to the broadcasts. Hamilton, an outfielder with the Brewers for a short stint in 1988, and more notable between 1990 and '95, now does color commentary on game broadcasts on the MLB Network.
Counsell was a shortstop and utility infielder in a couple of different stints with the Brewers. He currently serves as a special assistant to General Manager Doug Melvin.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Earlier today, Fox Sports Wisconsin announced Milwaukee Brewers television schedule for the 2014 season. In the plan between Fox Sports Wisconsin, Fox Sports and Fox Sports 1, 150 games will be on the air.
Regular season coverage will start on March 31 with the home opener against the Braves. Over the season, 18 games against the Cubs will be broadcast this summer.
"Brian Anderson will continue to serve as the primary play-by-play announcer with newcomer Matt Lepay joining analyst Bill Schroeder in the broadcast booth for select telecasts. Craig Coshun also will serve as play-by-play announcer for select telecasts late in the season while continuing his role as the main host for Brewers Live pre and postgame shows," a joint release from Fox Sports Wisconsin and the team read.
"Brewers Live airs before and after Brewers telecasts with Jeff Grayson, Telly Hughes and Sophia Minnaert reporting as well as analysis from former first base coach Davey Nelson and former Brewer Jerry Augustine."
You can find the complete air schedule here.
FEATURE STORIES: Fox News will kick off a 10-part series called "My America with Elisabeth Hasselbeck," which will debut during "Fox and Friends" on Wednesday.
For each short-form feature, co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck will explore inspirational stories across the country. The series will be presented throughout 2014 and kicks of this week with a behind-the-scenes look at NASCAR driver Darrell Wallace, Jr., who last October became the first African American in 50 years to win a NASCAR race.
DELAY ON THE HOP: ABC and Walt Disney settled a lawsuit with DISH Network earlier this week over its "Auto Hop" service on DVRs. The feature allowed viewers to automatically hop over the commercials in a recorded show.
Obviously, broadcasters want viewers to see the ads. That’s how they make money.
The settlement hinges on the way ad views are counted. Broadcasters get credit for a viewed ad if it is watched within three days of the original broadcast. So, DISH offered to delay the hop service for three days, since on day four and after the credit and revenue is lost for the broadcaster.
And, there you go – we have a deal.
DISH viewers will still be able to fast-forward through the commercials on a recorded program.
Media is bombarding us everywhere.
Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.
The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.