Teixeira, ESPN Reach Agreement On Contract Extension

Courtesy: ESPN

Mark Teixeira is sticking with ESPN.

The MLB great, who is a three-time American League All-Star and member of the 2009 World Series Champion New York Yankees, has signed a new multi-year agreement with ESPN.  The network made the announcement in a news release sent Monday.

Teixeira’s new deal ensures that he will remain an analyst on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown for the foreseeable future.  The program precedes ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball each week throughout Major League Baseball’s season.  The contract also ensures he will serve as analyst for other ESPN baseball programs, such as Opening Day, Winter Baseball Meetings and World Series.

Teixeira was humble as he talked about his new contract in a recent interview.

“I have the coolest job in baseball,” Teixeira said. “I’m fortunate to work with so many great colleagues and friends at ESPN, who are deeply committed to covering the sport we all love with passion and expertise.  I’m so happy to be part of this team.”

ESPN Vice President, Production Seth Markman shared  Teixeira’s positive thoughts.

“Mark is a consummate professional who elevates our show every time he appears,” Markman said.  “He’s smart, cadid and an excellent communicator, and his passion for the game is evident.  We’re proud to have Mark here at ESPN.”

Along with his work on ESPN’s MLB coverage, Teixeira will also contribute to SportsCenter and will make appearances on ESPN Radio’s programming, including ESPN Radio 98.7’s The Michael Kay Show.

Over the course of his Major League Baseball career, Teixeira — a switch-hitting First Baseman — hit 409 home runs, batted in 1,298 runs and won five Golden Gloves.  He retired at the end of Major League Baseball’s 2016 season and joined ESPN’s on-air roster at the start of the league’s 2017 season.

More information on ESPN’s Major League Baseball coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

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ESPN Networks Announce Broadcast Schedule For Week 11 Of College Football’s 2018 Season

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has announced its broadcast schedule for Week 11 of the 2018 college football season.

This week’s schedule features a number of games that have major playoff implications.  One of the most notable of the week’s games is an ACC matchup between undefeated No. 2 Clemson and No. 22 Boston College.  The headlining Saturday Night Football game is scheduled to air live at 8 p.m. Saturday on ABC.

ESPN’s College GameDay Built by the Home Depot will set up the game Saturday morning starting at 9 a.m.  It will broadcast live from the campus of Boston College.  Saturday’s broadcast marks the first time since 2009 that College GameDay Built by the Home Depot has aired from Boston College.

The Eagles are 4-1 in ACC play and second to Clemson in the ACC’s Atlantic Division.  The matchup is critical in Clemson’s search for a division (and conference) title, and for the team’s hopes for a spot in this year’s College Football playoffs.

Other key matchups featured in this week’s schedule are No. 7 Oklahoma taking on Oklahoma State at 3:30 p.m. on ABC and No. 8 Washington State on the road against Colorado at the same time on ESPN.  Both games have their own importance to this year’s college football playoffs impacts.

Also, if the Sooners and Cougars each win their games, they will play in their respective conference title games.  A win for either team additionally puts each group in good position to be considered for the playoffs.

Georgia hosts Auburn at 7 p.m. on ESPN in yet another key matchup for Week 11. ESPN2 will feature yet another big game at noon as UCF and Navy (AAC) face off in Florida.  The Knights have the nation’s longest winning streak while the Midshipmen are coming off a loss to Cincinnati in Week 10, so they will be hungry to get back in the “W” column, and to stop the Knights’ streak.

The full schedule of this week’s games is noted below.

Date	Time (ET)	Matchups/Commentators	Network
Tue, Nov 6	7:30 p.m.	Kent State at Buffalo Kevin Brown, Ray Bentley	ESPNU
Wed, Nov 7	7 p.m.	Ohio  at Miami (Ohio) Matt Barrie, Rocky Boiman	ESPN2
	8 p.m.	Toledo at Northern Illinois Chris Cotter, Desmond Howard	ESPNU
Thu, Nov 8	7 p.m.	North Carolina Central at Bethune-Cookman Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker	ESPNU
	7:30 p.m.	Wake Forest at No. 21 NC State Dave Flemming, Tim Hasselbeck/Matt Hasselbeck, Laura Rutledge Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN/ESPN Radio
Fri, Nov 9	7 p.m.	Louisville at No. 19 Syracuse Jason Benetti, Kelly Stouffer, Olivia Dekker	ESPN2
	10:15 p.m.	No. 23 Fresno State at Boise State Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison, Alyssa Lang	ESPN2
Sat, Nov 10	Noon	Wisconsin at No. 14 Penn State Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek, Molly McGrath	ABC
		South Carolina at Florida Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill	ESPN
		Navy at No. 12 UCF Anish Shroff, Ahmad Brooks, Roddy Jones	ESPN2
		Tulsa at Memphis Mike Corey, Rene Ingoglia	ESPNU
		Vanderbilt at Missouri Dave Neal, DJ Shockley, Dawn Davenport	SEC Network
		SMU at UConn Drew Fellios, Al Groh	ESPN3
		Akron at Eastern Michigan  Dan Gutowsky, Bob Carpenter	ESPN3
		Coast Guard Academy at Merchant Marine Academy Robert Lee, Matt Chatham	ESPN3
	12:20 p.m.	North Carolina at Duke	ACC Network Extra
	1 p.m.	Troy at Georgia Southern	ESPN+
	2 p.m.	North Texas at Old Dominion	ESPN3
	2:30 p.m.	Charlotte at Marshall	ESPN+
	3 p.m.	Liberty at No. 25 Virginia	ACC Network Extra
		Middle Tennessee at UTEP	ESPN+
		Jackson State at Alabama State	ESPN3
		Bowling Green at Central Michigan Chris Vosters, Marcus Ray	ESPN+
	3:30 p.m.	Oklahoma State at No. 7 Oklahoma Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay	ABC
		No. 8 Washington State at Colorado Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard, Allison Williams	ESPN
		Purdue at Minnesota Beth Mowins, Anthony Becht, Rocky Boiman	ESPN2
		Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh Kevin Brown, Andre Ware	ESPNU
		Kentucky at Tennessee Taylor Zarzour, John Congemi, Kris Budden	SEC Network
	4 p.m.	East Carolina at Tulane Jay Alter, Dustin Fox	ESPNEWS
		Appalachian State at Texas State	ESPN3
	5 p.m.	Georgia State at Louisiana	ESPN+
		Louisiana-Monroe at South Alabama	ESPN+
		Arkansas State at Coastal Carolina	ESPN+
	7 p.m.	Auburn at No. 6 Georgia Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe	ESPN
		Miami at Georgia Tech TV: Clay Matvick, Dan Orlovsky, Paul Carcaterra Radio: Bill Rosinski, Barrett Jones, Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN2 and ESPN Radio
		South Florida at Cincinnati Bill Roth, Mike Golic Jr.	ESPNU
		Rice at Louisiana Tech	ESPN+
		Florida International at UTSA	ESPN+
	7:30 p.m.	No. 3 LSU at Arkansas Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic	SEC Network
	8 p.m.	No. 2 Clemson at No. 22 Boston College Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Maria Taylor	ABC
	10:30 p.m.	UNLV at San Diego State Mark Neely, Ray Bentley, Alex Corddry	ESPN2
	10:30 PM	California at USC Adam Amin, Rod Gilmore, Quint Kessenich	ESPN and ESPN Radio
		Colorado State at Nevada Roy Philpott, Tom Ramsey	ESPNU

Not all digital games are exclusive

More information on the ESPN networks’ college football coverage is available online along with all of the latest college football news at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/college-football

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CFBonESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espncfb

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Moving ‘NBA Countdown’ Back To L.A.; Announces Programming Changes For ‘SportsCenter,’ Other Shows

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN’s NBA Countdown is headed back to the West Coast.

The network’s flagship NBA studio show is returning to ESPN’s Los Angeles Production Center for its upcoming season.  The change is in line with ESPN’s new NBA post-game show NBA After The Buzzer, which will feature the NBA Countdown broadcast team.

The return of NBA Countdown to its Los Angeles studio marks the first time since the 2010-2011 season that it has aired from the West Coast.  It moved to the East Coast in the 2011-’12 season and has been there ever since.

Along with the announcement of the show’s move back to Los Angeles, ESPN also announced that Michelle Beadle will leave her job as host of ESPN’s weekday morning show Get Up! and will expand her role in ESPN’s NBA coverage.  Her last appearance on Get Up! will be August 29.

Connor Schell, ESPN Executive Vice President of Content, said he was optimistic about the changes coming to ESPN’s NBA coverage, including the extension of Beadle’s contract and the expansion of her role in the network’s NBA coverage.

“We are extremely excited to launch ESPN’s first ever NBA post-game show,” Schell said.  “We’re doubling down on our NBA studio content at a time when the NBA is red hot and fan interest continues to surge, and we are doing it with Michelle, as she is so important to our coverage.  As the basketball world looks to L.A. with renewed interest, we’ll be right there to cover it.”

As an added bonus for audiences, the increased interest in the NBA noted by Schell has also led ESPN officials to expand The Jump, ESPN’s daily Los Angeles-based NBA studio show hosted by Rachel Nichols, to a full one-hour format.

Other changes that are being made at ESPN, partly due to the network’s changes in its NBA coverage include the expansion of Get Up! to a two-hour show starting Sept. 3.  Starting on that day, it will air from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET.  Mike Greenberg will still host the show and Jalen  Rose will also stay on as co-host on days when he does not have to appear on NBA Countdown.

Maria Taylor, Laura Rutledge, Diana Russini and Jen Lada — each of whom has served as guest host on Get Up! — will all continue to serve as contributors to the program.

During football season, ESPN’s NFL and college football commentators will appear on Get Up! in its expanded time slot.  That list of talent includes: Ryan Clark, Victor Cruz, Paul Finebaum, Dan Orlovsky, Jesse Palmer, Louis Riddick, Rex Ryan, Adam Schefter, Marcus Spears, Jonathan Vilma and Damien Woody.

One more change coming to the ESPN networks involves ESPN Radio’s Golic & Wingo.  Along with continuing on ESPN Radio, it will be simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNEWS from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. before moving solely to ESPNEWS from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.  This move is also set to happen on Sept. 3.

By connection, SportsCenter will continue to air on ESPN2 from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

More information on these changes is available online now along with all of ESPN’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

Mets, Phillies To Close Out Five-Game Series Sunday Night On ESPN’s ‘SNB’

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has a National League East divisional matchup on tap in this week’s edition of its weekly Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell broadcast.

The Philadelphia Phillies (68-54) will host the New York Mets (52-69) in the closer of the teams’ five-game series.  The series started Thursday with a one and one double-header between the NL East foes.  The Mets routed the Phillies in the first game 24-6 while the Phillies won game two 9-6.

Philadelphia took control of the series on Friday, defeating the Mets 4-2.  The Mets came back Saturday and evened things back up at two games each with a 3-1 win over the Phillies.  That means Sunday night’s game will be the rubber match between the teams.

Nick Pivetta (7-9) is expected to get the start on the mound for the Phillies Sunday night. He was last on the mound August 14 against the Boston Red Sox.  The Bosox won that game 2-1 with Philadelphia’ Tommy Hunter taking the loss.

Pivetta was strong in that game, pitching six innings, allowing only one run on three hits, one walk and one earned run while striking out six and allowing only one home run in that time.  So he will be looking to get the Phils back in the “W” column in this series’ finale against the Mets, whose playoff hopes at this point are nil.

Jason Vargas (2-8) is expected to get the start for the Mets Sunday night.  The 35-year-old has had a rough season so far, pitching a total of 53.1 innings in 13 games with an ERA of 8.10.  His last time on the mound was August 14 against Baltimore.

The Orioles took the win over the Mets in that game, 6-3.  Vargas’ struggles continued in that game as he allowed two runs on five hits, two earned runs while walking three batters and striking out only one over six innings.  He also allowed one home run in that time.

Just by the pitchers’ numbers, one would think Sunday night’s game is in the Phillies’ favor, but New York has been a surprise this weekend against Philadelphia.  That could be because the Mets know they have nothing to lose and don’t want to finish in the bottom of the league, causing them to play harder.

With the two losses to the Phillies this weekend, the Mets ended their two-game losing ski and back back into the “W” column, though win or lose it won’t be enough to help the team’s playoff hopes.  Philadelphia is 41-20 at home and 27-34 on the road so far this season. Saturday’s loss to the Mets drops the Phillies to 68-55 on the season, still keeping the team in the post season hunt.  The Mets will still be playing with a ire in their bellies because they have at least something to prove since they won’t be in the playoffs, so Sunday night’s game could go either way.

Matt Vasgersian will have the call for Sunday’s game.  He will be joined in the booth by analysts Alex Rodriguez and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary.  Reporter Buster Olney will have all of the game’s latest news and interviews.

Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will cover the game on ESPN Radio.  The NL East matchup will also be simulcast on ESPN Deportes and on the ESPN app.

Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell will be preceded by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet at 7 p.m. ET.with Karl Ravech at the helm.  Ravech will be joined by analysts Mark Teixeira, David Ross and Tim Kurkjian for additional commentary.

More information on ESPN’s MLB coverage is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.comphilspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Bosox, ‘Stros Go Under The Lights Live Sept. 9 On ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

As Major League Baseball’s race to the post season heats up, ESPN has announced what is certainly its own hot addition to the network’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell schedule.

The MLB-leading Boston Red Sox will play live under the lights against theAmerican League West-leading Houston Astros Sept. 9 on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell.  As of August 18, the Red Sox lead Major League Baseball’s standings at 87-36, the only team in the league so far this season to reach and even surpass the 80-win mark.  That puts the Red Sox both at the top of the league and the top of the American League East.

The Astros currently lead the American League West at 74-49, tying them with the Oakland Athletics for the division’s top spot.  The teams are now tied for third in the American League, too.

Since the game is still so far out, no rotations or pitchers have been announced for the key showdown.Matt Vasgersian will anchor the broadcast.  he will be joined by analysts Alex Rodriguez and Jessica Mendoza for additional commentary while rpoerter Buster Olney will have all of the game’s latest news and interviews.

Jon Sciambi will anchor the game’s broadcast on ESPN Radio.  He will be joined by analyst Chris Singleton for additional commentary.

ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell is preceded each week by Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown presented by Chevrolet at 7 p.m. ET.  Karl Ravech anchors with additional commentary from analysts Mark Teixeira, David Ross and Tim Kurkjian.

ESPN Deportes will broadcast the teams’ showdown in Spanish for the game’s Spanish-speaking audiences.  Audiences who won’t be near a television on Sept. 9 can still catch the game online via the ESPN app.

More information on ESPN’s Sept. 9 Sunday Night Baseball presented by Taco Bell broadcast is available online now along with all of the network’s latest MLB headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Announces Extensive Broadcast Coverage Schedule For T-Mobile Home Run Derby

Courtesy: ESPN

It’s almost time again for Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Game, and with its return next week is also the return of its heavy hitters showcase in the annual Home Run Derby.  ESPN will carry exclusive coverage of the exhibition competition live, Monday, July 16.

Coverage of the T-Mobile Home Run Derby is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.  Karl Ravech will anchor Monday night’s showcase.  Former World Series Champion and current ESPN analyst Marx Teixeira will join Ravech in the booth for additional commentary.  Jessica Mendoza will be on the field with all of the latest interviews with this year’s field of hitters while reporter Buster Olney will have all of the latest news from the field.

While coverage of the competition starts Monday night, ESPN’s networks will have on-site coverage starting Monday afternoon at 3 ET.  It all starts with a special 90-minute edition of Baseball Tonight, Baseball Tonight: All-Star Media Day from 3 – 4:30 on ESPN live from Nationals Park.

Baseball Tonight: Home Run Derby — Around The Cage follows from 4:30 – 5:30 on ESPN.  The broadcast will include interviews with the competitors.  Adnan Virk will anchor the broadcast.  He will be joined by David Ross, Tim Kurkjian and Eduardo Perez for additional commentary.

Pardon The Interruption continues the afternoon’s coverage live from Nationals Park from 5:30 – 6.  Over on ESPN2, Chris Rose and Kevin Miller will be have even more coverage on Intentional Talk from 5 – 6.  The anticipation keeps building at 6 p.m. on an hour-long edition of SportsCenter on ESPNwith Keith Olbermann and Karl Ravech co-hosting.

The Home Run Derby Preview Show leads into the “big game” at 7 p.m. on ESPN.  Adnan Virk, David Ross, Tim Kurkjian and Eduardo Perez will have broadcast duties during the hour-long broadcast.

Those who won’t be near a television during the derby can still catch it online as it will be simulcast online via the ESPN App.  Over on ESPNEWS, viewers will get a first-of-its kind broadcast of the derby — a graphics intense broadcast loaded with data from Statcast. Jason Benetti and Eduardo Perez will partner for the broadcast.

ESPN Radio , ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes Radio will also simulcast Monday night’s showdown.  Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call while Marc Kestecher and analyst Tim Kurkjian carry pre-game coverage.

Coverage on ESPN Deportes starts at 7 p.m. with a on-hour edition of SportsCenter.  Ernesto Jerez will anchor the broadcast of the derby itself.  He will be joined by analyst Luis Alfredo Alvarez for additional commentary.  Reporter Guillermo Celis will be on the field for all of the latest interviews and news.

Over on ESPN Deportes Radio, Eduardo Ortega will have the call for Monday night’s matchup of hitters.  He will be joined by analyst Renato Bermudez for additional commentary while reporter Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez will be on the field for all of the latest interviews and news.

More information on the ESPN networks’ coverage of the 2018 T-Mobile Home Run Derby is available online now along with all oh the latest Major League Baseball headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

 

ESPN To Offer Full Day Of MLB All-Star Game Coverage Tuesday

Courtesy: ESPN

Major League Baseball’s annual All-Star Game is returning to ESPN Radio again this year.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports announced Thursday that for the 21st consecutive year, ESPN Radio will serve as the national radio broadcast home of the league’s annual mid-season spectacular, which is scheduled to be played July 17.  Broadcast of Tuesday’s All-Start showcase is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET.  The broadcast will also stream online via the ESPN App.

The ESPN Radio broadcast team of Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton will have the call for Tuesday night’s game.  Reporters Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian will also be on hand for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.

While coverage officially starts at 8 p.m., ESPN’s coverage of the All-Star game starts early in the day with live coverage on SportsCenter AM with host Pedro Gomez.  Coverage continues at 4 p.m. ET with a special 90-minute edition of Baseball Tonight: Around The Cage anchored by Karl Ravech.  He will be joined by analysts Marx Teixeira David Ross, Eduardo Perez and Tim Kurkjian for additional commentary.

Pardon The Interruption and SportsCenter continue ESPN’s pre-game coverage from 5:30 – 7 with PTI up first from 5:30 – 6.  It will broadcast live from Nationals Park.  Keith Olbermann and Karl Ravech will co-host SportsCenter from 6 – 7 on ESPN live from Nationals Park.

A half-hour Baseball Tonight: 2018 All-Star Game Preview Show airs at 7 p.m. with Ravech hosting and Teixeira and Ross serving as analysts once again leading into Tuesday night’s game.

More information on ESPN’s 2018 MLB All-Star Game coverage is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:

 

Website: http://www.espn.com/mlb

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESPN

Twitter: http://twitter.com/espn

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.