On The Air
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
April 27, 2007

 

Scott Graham is adjusting to his first season in 16-years not being part of the Phillies broadcasts.

 

“I’m still following the team.  It’s odd not being part of it,” Graham said in a telephone conversation this week.

 

Graham, whose contract wasn’t renewed this year, said, “They did not want me as a broadcaster.  That kind of thing happens in broadcasting all the time.” 

 

Graham denied rumors that he didn’t return because of problems with Chris Wheeler.  “I don’t buy into that,” said the University of Pennsylvania graduate.

 

So was Graham secretly happy that the team got off to a horrendous start? 

 

“Oh no.  I want them to succeed.  I still have a lot of friends in the organization.”

 

The South Jersey resident is launching his own company, “Wipe Out Productions.”  His first project was the highlight film for the Drexel University basketball team.

 

He also filled in on Sports Radio 950-AM a couple of times, continues voice-over work for NFL Films, and is scheduled to announce college basketball and football games again on CN8.

 

Although he was a finalist for an announcer’s position with the San Diego Padres, Graham said he won’t be applying for other baseball jobs at this time.

 

As for the criticism of his replacement, Gary Matthews, Graham said, “People are resistant to change.  Especially in baseball, people are used to a certain feel.”

 

Meanwhile, for the first time, Graham has time to coach his 13-year-old son and 10-year-old twin sons’ baseball teams.  And the teams’ names?  The Phillies.

 

Fresh Air is For Losers
NFL Draft fans can hunker down all weekend for draft coverage on ESPN Saturday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., ESPN2 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., and on Sunday on ESPN from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

 

Sports Emmys

Here are my predictions for some of the major categories of the “Sports Emmy” awards to be given out April 30. 

Outstanding Sports Personality - STUDIO HOST
 Bob Costas -  HBO / NBC
 Ernie Johnson - TNT
 James Brown - CBS
 Jim Lampley - NBC
 Joe Buck -  FOX
 Rich Eisen - NFL Network

Fox made a mistake by letting Brown return to CBS.  Buck, who already is overexposed as the lead NFL and MLB announcer, did not add anything to the NFL on Fox pre game show. Evidently, Fox agreed as it announced a couple of weeks ago that Buck will not return to the pre game show.

Outstanding Sports Personality - PLAY-BY-PLAY

 Al Michaels - ABC / NBC
 Jim Nantz - CBS
 Joe Buck - FOX
 Marv Albert - TNT
 Mike Tirico - ESPN

He’s overexposed, but Buck deserves to win the Emmy for his play-by-play work for football and baseball.

Outstanding Sports Personality - STUDIO ANALYST
 Charles Barkley - TNT
 Cris Collinsworth - HBO / NBC
 Jay Bilas - ESPN
 Jeff Hammond - FOX
 Kirk Herbstreit - ESPN

Outspoken, funny Barkley hasn’t changed a bit since his days in Philly.  Maybe he should replace Rosie O’Donnell on “The View.”

‘Preciate It

Jody McDonald signed a one-year contract extension with Sports Radio 950-AM.  Don’t give up that weekend job on New York ESPN 1050-AM Jody!