The Phillies say they haven't decided whether to replace McCarthy or have some of their existing announcers take over some of his duties.
One possibility could be utilizing in-house consultant Scott Palmer, formerly of Channel 6 and the host of the new Phillies television show "Behind the Pinstripes." Palmer joined the Phillies in September for a three-month period, which was recently extended.
"There is still enough here to keep me busy as a consultant," Palmer wrote in an e-mail, "and I'm confident that the work we do during the offseason will benefit Phillies fans this spring."
Some feel that Reading Phillies announcer Steve Degler is ready to be promoted to the majors. Degler also does high school games on CN8.
The current Phillies broadcast team is Harry Kalas, Larry Andersen, Chris Wheeler and Scott Graham.
McCarthy worked for the Phillies for five years. He will continue in his role as play-by-play announcer for the Saint Joseph's basketball team.
Meanwhile Palmer's former station, 6ABC has hired its first female sportscaster. According to the television industry web site www.tvspy.com, Jamie Apody, of the CBS affiliate in El Paso, Texas will join the station as a sports reporter and anchor. Apody will join Keith Russell and Gary Papa on the 6ABC sports staff. Apody is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of UCLA.
Schwartzman new co-host
Dan Schwartzman from ESPN Radio (1450-AM) in Atlantic City will be the new co-host of "Philly Sports Live" and Program Director of ESPN (920-AM).
Schwartzman will join John Mozes on the weekday afternoon show from 4 p.m.- 7 p.m. Schwartzman replaces Tripp Rogers, who departed the station a couple of months ago.
New face
The new face on Comcast SportsNet is Christine Nubla of Comcast SportsNet in Sacramento, Calif. According to a CSN spokesperson, Nubla is only filling in and is not joining the Philadelphia affiliate.
If the Eagles lose Sunday, at least we can look forward to the performance of CSN's "Eagles Post Game Live" host Michael Barkann, who has the perfect mix of humor and incredulousness when the team loses.
No respect
The loss of stature of the Eagles and their opponent, the St. Louis Rams, is reflected in this week's Fox third-string announcing team of Sam Rosen, Bill Maas and Chris Myers.
CBS outfoxes Fox
The CBS Sports NFL pre-game show scored its highest regular-season rating since 1998 and beat its Fox counterpart for the first time.
The NFL Today got a 3.9 rating and a 10 share from 12 Noon to 1:03 p.m. Sunday. That was up 70 percent from a 2.3 rating and a 6 share last year, and 15 percent above Fox's pre-game show of Sunday, which had a 3.4 share and a 9 rating. CBS carries AFC games and Fox the NFC.
Dance fever
ESPN's Kenny Mayne will compete in ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" beginning in January. Former NFL star Jerry Rice also will participate. Rice is also set to compete in Spike TV's "Pros vs. Joes." Somebody is missing the spotlight.