On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
February 16, 2007

Scott Palmer said he has learned from his mistakes.

The Phillies' director of media and public affairs admitted he made some rookie mistakes during the Brett Myers domestic abuse situation last year and would do things differently if something similar happened again.

“We should have been more available to the press and responded in a more timely fashion,” Palmer said from spring training in Clearwater, Fla.

Palmer, a former 6ABC sports anchor, will be working with the Phillies broadcast team and hosting the Sunday pre-game show “Behind the Pinstripes.” He also is working on the team's “Paint the Town Red” advertising campaign.

“I have been in Phillies' clubhouses for 25 years,” he said, “and this is the best character group I've been around.”

Talking football

Tiki Barber, the hottest broadcasting free agent on the market, will take his services to NBC.

He'll replace Sterling Sharpe on “Football Night in America” and also contribute to the “Today Show.” Diane “Hacksaw” Sawyer could be a more formidable opponent than a linebacker.

“Good Morning America” just beat “The Today Show” in the ratings this week.

Rival network CBS also drafted a hot name for its pre-game show, “The NFL Today.”

Bill Cowher, who resigned as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers last month, will join James Brown, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino, Charlie Casserly and Shannon Sharpe. So, at least one Sharpe gets to keep his job.

Talking baseball

Former Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker will join the “Baseball Tonight” team on ESPN as an analyst.

Joe Girardi, Mark Grace and Eric Karros will join the Fox baseball team as analysts.

Former Phillies announcer Scott Graham did not get the San Diego Padres' radio job for which he was a contender.

Welcome to Sin City

The NBA All-Star Game takes place in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.

Speaking of Las Vegas, we all know that former Eagle Randall Cunningham played for UNLV. What ESPN sportscaster was once ahead of Cunningham on UNLV's quarterback depth chart? The answer appears at the bottom of the column.

Off the air

WIP 610-AM evening host Glen Macnow will be off the air for about a month after he undergoes double-knee replacement surgery in two weeks. When he returns, some of his shows will be done from his home.

Condolences

Condolences to Sports Talk 950-AM morning show host Gregg Henson, whose father, Lawrence, died of bone cancer this week at the age of 80. His mother, Gail, died of brain cancer in August at the age of 61.

Trivia answer

ESPN's Kenny Mayne played quarterback and graduated UNLV in 1982, three years ahead of Cunningham.

E-mail: lauranachman@verizon.net


February 16, 2007 6:59 AM