A month ago, it was announced that Chris Berman would be introducing Bills' Owner, Ralph Wilson, into the Hall of Fame. Well today, the NFL is releasing the news that Rich Eisen will be hosting the festivities, thus putting him on ESPN's broadcast of the inductions. Via USA Today....

Former SportsCenter anchor Rich Eisen, dropped by ESPN in 2003, will next month be back on the channel. But Eisen, now an NFL Network anchor, will just be making a single appearance — albeit one that will last several hours. He'll replace Chris Berman as the host of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's induction ceremony on Aug. 9, which will air both on ESPN and NFLN. Longtime ceremony host Berman will have a new role as a presenter for inductee Ralph Wilson, owner of the Buffalo Bills.

Eisen, who says he has "no idea" who'll host next year, says it was "an absolute thrill" to get the assignment. And he's thinking what he could bring to a show that could last five hours: "Maybe I could be the first Hall MC to do wardrobe changes. But I don't think it would fit the day."

I had an irrational hatred of Eisen for years, but I have to admit, his time on the NFL Network has actually been good for him (and my impression of him). He's actually the perfect person to host the event, and should provide some levity in between grown men crying at the podium. Besides, would you rather have Berman do it, or Rich? Exactly.

Back on ESPN (USA Today)

Ernie Johnson is one of the nicest, most genuine people you will ever meet. Not only that, but he subscribes to the tenet that this site has survived on over the past three years. If you can't make fun of yourself, who can you make fun of?

Well, Ernie did just that when looking back at old footage of himself in a makeshift dunk contest, and a clothing company has even brought back his famous shirt from that night. Here's the background....

Great story, and the shirt you see above is not only available now, but a portion of proceeds even go to The Lymphoma Research Foundation (the disease EJ began battling in 2003).

Elevator Ernie (Homage Clothing)
Phenomenal Swag: 'Elevator' Ernie Johnson t-shirt (Ball Don't Lie)

I've been impressed with not only the live baseball coverage on the MLB Network, but with some of the in house productions as well (especially "Prime 9"). Well the network is all set to debut another one this weekend, and they're about to get all statistical and historical on you. Via MLB-N PR....

MLB Network will air the television premiere of the original documentary “Base Ball Discovered” on Sunday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Narrated by Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor Edward James Olmos and produced by MLB.com, the film is a detailed exploration of the many generational theories about the origins of America’s national pastime that will take viewers overseas as it makes an unexpected and historic discovery in Surrey, a county in the South East of England.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully has said of the film, “'Base Ball Discovered' is a grand slam of a study. It provides an intentional walk through the scorebook of history and whether of British or Yankee beginnings, rounders or cricket, whether to salute a general or pitch to a private, it scores big time and is a winner.”

In September 2008, “Base Ball Discovered” won the Award for Baseball Excellence at the third annual Baseball Film Festival at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. The award is given to the film which excels in research, factual accuracy, historical context, appreciation of the game, and/or embodiment of the spirit of baseball.

The show will air this Sunday at 6pm, and repeats will be on May 19th, May 21st, May 22nd and May 24th. I'll see if I can get some clips ahead of time, but you might want to block some time to check it out.

On the heels of a variety of widely successful database sites (i.e.- Wikipedia), ESPN has decided to create one of their own. For Sports obviously. ESPNDB.com will debut in the next few days, and according to MediaPost, will be launched with heavy NFL Draft content.

While ESPNDB's number of pages might someday be uncountable, initially it will focus simply on the coming NFL Draft. Still, even with that somewhat limited scope, there will be more than 500 pages, including profiles of 400 potential draftees.

While ESPNDB has two editorial staffers of its own, some of its content will come from ESPN's Stats & Information group. That unit is constantly generating a deluge of profiles, statistical packages and other data for multiple ESPN platforms. But much of its output ends up on the "cutting-room-floor," which could eventually be parked on ESPNDB.

After the draft, ESPNDB plans to build a similar reference hub for the NBA Finals in June. ESPNDB may be able to gain a leg up on Wikipedia and other reference sites with video it can offer culled from ESPN's vast library.

For the NFL Draft section, a profile of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford -- who is expected to be a top pick -- is likely to include some video of him in action, as well as an audio link.

There is no firm timetable for an official ESPNDB.com debut. The initial NFL Draft rollout will have an area where visitors can email comments to the editors.

While certainly an interesting idea, it might be extremely tough to make waves in the reference site game. Everyone is already trained to go to Wikipedia or Google, and if the information is the same on ESPNDB, then there doesn't seem to be much of a point to go there. I do like the outside the box thinking though.

ESPN Prepares To Launch Sports Information Site (MediaPost)

A gossip column at the Boston Herald is not only reporting that Boston is in the running for the next Winter Classic on NBC, but that it's actually official. The source says that the Bruins will be hosting a yet to be named opponent on January 1st, 2010, at Fenway Park....

Don’t breathe a word of this. Because nobody’s supposed to know. But the Boston Bruins [team stats] will host the NHL’s Winter Classic outdoor hockey game against an unnamed opponent Jan. 1 at Fenway Park!

Our spies on Lansdowne Street say the League has given its blessing to a 2010 New Year’s Day game in the Hub of Hockey, choosing Boston over New York and Philadelphia.

League reps had visited all three cities and, in Boston, looked at both Fenway and Gillette Stadium . However, scheduling around any Patriots [team stats] post-season play was a tricky proposition, we’re told, and ultimately Fenway got the nod.

Seems like a great idea if you ask me, but I still think a game on the "Mall" in DC would be amazing. Any of those cities would do an amazing job of hosting one of the year's coolest events though.

Ice Is Nice at Fenway (Boston Herald)

The MLB on FOX's pregame show was just a complete trainwreck. The hosts and analysts were pretty boring, it was way too long and the set looked like it was from the 1970s. Well all that is going to change this year as the pregame show will be cut down to only ten to twelve minutes, and the program will be hosted at the "Game of the Week". According to SBD, Chris Rose will be your host....

When Fox begins its 14th season as a broadcast partner of MLB Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm ET with three regional games, there will be a different look at the beginning of the telecasts. The net will debut a pregame segment hosted by Chris Rose that emanates from the site of one of the games. Fox Sports President Ed Goren today in a conference call said of the decision to eliminate the 30-minute pregame show that preceded coverage in years past, “Like every other business, whether it's newspapers or other broadcasters, there was certainly a need to tighten up our broadcast and focus on sales for the game.”

Goren: “The pregame in the past, for the most part, hasn’t had any national inventory. So we decided that, in this environment, certainly we weren’t going to come on at 3:30.” Goren also said that current coverage on other networks – including ESPN, FSN and the new MLB Network – serves the role of the traditional pregame show. Goren: “There’s a tremendous amount of baseball coverage on a daily basis today before you even get to the Internet. Doing the weekly show for a half-hour really isn’t as significant as it has been through the years.”

I really don't think that FOX's problem was with the timing of the show itself, but rather who they employed to be on it. This however is probably the most cost effective way to handle things, as no one really cares about pregame shows outside of College Gameday these days.

FOX To Debut At-Ballpark MLB Pregame Segment (Sports Business Daily - $)

Another hour goes by, another network adds an analyst. ESPN has just announced that the long rumored hiring of Dave Winfield has actually been finalized. Via ESPN PR....

Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield has joined ESPN as a Baseball Tonight analyst and will mainly work Sundays and select Mondays with host Karl Ravech and analysts Peter Gammons and John Kruk throughout the Major League Baseball season. He will appear on Baseball Tonight Sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, leading into Opening Night – Atlanta vs. Philadelphia – at 8 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to add Dave Winfield to our Baseball Tonight team,” said Norby Williamson, executive vice president, production. “He will be able to draw from his experiences as a Hall of Fame talent and world champion who has been a pioneer for the game in various capacities, both on and off the field. We welcome his unique voice and believe he will be a great addition to ESPN.”

“I've worked in and around baseball my entire life. This is an opportunity to stay connected with the entire sport, not just one team or league,” said Winfield. “To join ESPN is a chance to join another winning sports team. The platform, Baseball Tonight, is No. 1 and one I've enjoyed for years. I look forward to working with Karl Ravech, John Kruk, Peter Gammons and the rest of the crew and bringing my own views on the game. Just like when I was playing, I can't wait for Opening Day!”

I've seen Dave Winfield on various programs since his retirement, and I have to say that I rather enjoy him. Occasionally the Baseball Tonight crew can get a bit stuffy, and the addition of someone with Winfield's energy could only help the crew. However, this does put the number of ESPN Baseball analysts at a ridiculous total. Can anyone tell me if Fernando Vina is still employed by the network? I haven't seen him in months!

MLB has come up with some pretty good documentaries over the years, and it seems like they have yet another on their hands. MLB will be using the MLB Network to launch "This Is Beyond Baseball", which will be a 30-minute set of vignettes in which current and former players will discuss the role of Baseball beyond the field....

Major League Baseball today announced the launch of a new integrated multi-media marketing campaign titled “This is Beyond Baseball,” which will celebrate baseball’s unique place in the cultural fabric of society and in the lives of fans. The campaign will officially launch with a special on MLB Network this Sunday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET titled This Is Beyond Baseball, a documentary-style program created by MLB Productions. Narrated by legendary broadcaster Vin Scully, the 30-minute program comprises a series of vignettes that communicate the magnitude of what baseball represents and that the scope of its impact goes well beyond the game on the field.

“Baseball reaches us all in places far beyond the playing field,” said Scully. “I am honored to lend my support to this endeavor and help celebrate the game I have loved for my entire life.”

The program features insight and commentary from many prominent current and former players, including Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr., Curtis Granderson, Derek Lee and Terry Francona, as well as a special profile of the Upton family – father Manny and sons B.J. and Justin – a unique family story of dedication and determination.

Again, I'm a sucker for a good documentary, but this one seems really good. Plus the narration from Vin Scully will only add to the stories. I'll try to check it out when it airs this Sunday at 8pm.

One of the more anticipated (and controversial) things to debut this March is, Billy Packer and Bob Knight's newest endeavor, "Survive and Advance". I was curious to see what the duo had planned, and as it turns out, the site is actually pretty informative and entertaining. There is obviously a bracket contest, but on top of that they've added videos, trivia and an online talk show. Here are some quotes by Knight and Packer on the site, and one of the videos they put together on Magic Johnson....

Billy Packer: "I first thought about this project years ago, and I wanted a way to expand my ability to communicate my love of basketball beyond what I could do while broadcasting games all those years. Even though I am not technically savvy I wanted to use this website to work in conjunction with our upcoming Fox SportsNet TV show to help us reach out to as many fans as possible. Frank Sinatra said I did it "my way," and though I am not him, I'm doing this multi-platform project my way, and this is something I have planned on for a few years now and I always wanted to do with my good friend Bob Knight."

Bob Knight: "I am very excited about working on this project with Billy. In all the years that he has worked on NCAA basketball I have always been very impressed with his insight into the game and his ability to tell the viewing audience what's going on in the game and why it's happening. I have great respect for his knowledge of the game and think the two of us doing something together will be enjoyable and informative for the audience and that's what we intend to do here."

Looking through the videos, it seems like this might be the direction and change that Packer needed. He always had a great Basketball mind, but over the years he got more and more surly, and seemingly disinterested in the Sport. I think this is the perfect venue for him, and he already seems more relaxed and focused on sharing his views with fans.

The "Talk Show" portion airs Sundays at Midnight, starting March 15th (Selection Sunday), and will be on FSN. I'll be sure to get video up of the first show as well.

There are about three teams involved in the Terrell Owens sweepstakes and they are the Titans, the Raiders and most surprisingly, the Patriots. Now newspapers will usually put up polls and forums that ask the fans their opinion on free agents, but it's rare that the team does so on its own website. Until now....

If T.O. wanted to play for the Patriots, should New England sign him?

Andy Hart says, "Yes!"

Assuming T.O. doesn’t have a lot of options, which I think is a safe assumption at this point, I hope he comes crawling to Bill Belichick and the Patriots in a last-ditch effort to resurrect his reputation and championship dreams. Let me be clear, if he has options and expects the Patriots to in any way bid for his services then I have no interest.

Erik Scalavino says, "No!"

Yeah, sure, go ahead. Sign T.O. … if what you want is the utter destruction of locker room chemistry and team unity. If on-field discord is what you want to pay to see at Gillette Stadium this fall, then T.O. is the guy for you!

Humble pie? Not for him, thanks. He prefers popcorn.

Nice use of the popcorn reference there, but I'm with the first guy. Sure Owens will more than likely wreck havoc on the Patriots' locker room, but just imagine the AFC's defenses going up against Moss, Owens and Welker. That's like the Cardinals on steroids! As far as New Englanders go, here are the current poll results....


Debate Friday (Patriots.com)
Pats Launch T.O. Poll (PFT)

ESPN has been doling out the radio shows and webisodes as of late (Brian Kenny, Kenny Mayne), and the latest to get a show is Trey Wingo. Not only is it a pretty entertaining, and somewhat funny, it's shot in the ESPN Cafeteria! Not because it has the best lighting but rather because "Fresh Take" is sponsored by Subway!!!

The Subway props are a little annoying, but overall....not bad at all. Good Sports talk, and we even got to learn about Tim Legler's moving going habits. That "Fresh Take" is a double threat, I tell ya!

Not sure if you've been watching much ESPN this week, but if you have, you may have noticed a new set of songs being played during highlights. Those tunes are from Bruce Springsteen's new album, and in what's becoming a growing trend, music companies are coming to ESPN asking for the network's help. Via Sports Business Daily....

Columbia Records, Springsteen’s label, initiated contact with ESPN about how it could incorporate the Boss’ music from the new CD into football highlights leading up to the Super Bowl. “This all kind of came about nicely,” ESPN Dir of Music Kevin Wilson said. “We were talking about the idea that Bruce was a possibility and then they reached out.” With Springsteen already slated to perform at halftime of Sunday’s game, the combination of the two seemed natural. Wilson: “They talked to us also about the interest for us to maybe include some of his catalog songs and we brought the concept back to production. They thought it was a great idea. Between us and Sony (Columbia's parent company), they helped get the deal done with Bruce.”

Wilson said the network does not “have a specific genre in mind” in regards to using music but admits there are “certain sounds that seem to fit sports better than others.” “We usually reach out and say, ‘We’re just looking for a couple acts and a handful of songs … to bed our [programming with],’” Wilson said. “Then see what they come back with or we have ideas on our own.” Deals with music labels can include the use of one band’s music or access to a larger library of music, but ESPN Coordinating Dir of Music Claude Mitchell said instead of specific labels, it is “what we can provide to our shows that’s the key in what we look for.” “We’ve been very lucky in that we’ve been able to find good ways to bring value to our label partners and the artists. At the same time, we’re getting good artists we want to be on the network to work with our sports and shows,” Mitchell said.

Makes sense on both ends, and if it gets us to here new stuff and not the old elevator music that ESPN has used in the past, I'm all for it. It's odd to think that record companies would now be approaching ESPN instead of MTV, but that's what happens when you turn into a reality show channel.

ESPN Diving Into Using Music With Content (Sports Business Daily - $)

I guess the wrong word to use is hype, but ESPN is using the "excitement" surrounding Barack Obama's Inauguration, and airing something that they are calling "Breaking Barriers". Not only that, but they also plan on airing Obama's swearing in as President, live on Sports Center. Via ESPN....

ESPN will commemorate and cover Barack Obama’s inauguration Tuesday, January 20, with a 10-hour marathon, Breaking Barriers, starting at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Classic that will feature ground-breaking African-American athletes such as Arthur Ashe, Jack Johnson and Eddie Robinson. ESPN Classic will also present seven hours of Breaking Barriers on Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King Day, with programs devoted to Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and other ground-breaking black athletes.

In addition, SportsCenter will present live coverage of President-elect Obama’s swearing-in ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m. with Jeremy Schaap reporting from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Schaap will also provide reaction from athletes in attendance.

ESPN’s inauguration coverage will include “Realizing The Dream” vignettes on Tuesday, January 20, in which sports figures talk about what Barack Obama and his election means to them. The vignettes will air within ESPN studio programming – including SportsCenter – and across platforms (ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN Mobile Properties, etc.). Sports figures participating in the vignettes include Magic Johnson, Tom Jackson, Paul Pierce and Craig Robinson, the Oregon State head basketball coach and brother-in-law of Obama.

The ESPN Classic stuff seems like a good enough idea, but I really don't see what the point in airing the ceremony is. It's definitely a momentous occasion, but not one that needs to be covered by the "Worldwide Leader in Sports". Here's the schedule of shows in case you want to check them out....

Breaking Barriers Schedule on ESPN Classic, Tuesday, Jan. 20

1975 Wimbledon Finals: Arthur Ashe vs. Jimmy Connors (1-3pm)
Jack Johnson documentary (3-4pm)
SportsCentury: Bill Russell (4-5pm)
National Championship: Texas Western vs. Kentucky (5-6pm)
Third and a Mile: History of the Black Quarterback (6-7pm)
Eddie Robinson's 400th Victory (7-9:30pm)
SportsCentury: Ernie Davis (9:30-10:30pm)
10:30-11 p.m. SportsCentury: Willie Jeffries

I don't know anyone that has watched the entire 23 hours of the PBS documentary, Baseball by Ken Burns, but that's not stopping the writer from adding a 24th hour. MLB Network has been airing the Series throughout its first few weeks on the air, and Burns announced last night that he's added a 10th inning to the 9-part/inning collection. Via the NBC LA.....

But documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, ever the boyishly enthusiastic storyteller, is gamely heading back to the plate, adding to his nine-part 1994 PBS series, "Baseball." The new film, to be called "The 10th Inning," will cover the National Pastime from 1993 to 2008, and air on PBS next year.

"So much has transpired in baseball since we last examined the game and all of its many nuances," Burns said in a statement -- or rather, an understatement.

Cal Ripken earned away Lou Gehrig's Iron Man title in 1995. Mike Piazza's dramatic home run in the first game played after 9/11 gave the country something to cheer about, if only for a fleeting moment. The Red Sox finally reversed the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.

But real story of baseball over the last 15 years is steroids: records smashed by impossibly big sluggers who looked like little men testifying before Congress; and the ongoing saga of an all-time home run king who is a walking, under indictment, asterisk.

Burns will do well to stick to his simple, possibly overblown -- and very probably true -- thesis that the story of baseball is the story of America. The last 15 years have given us tales of perseverance, resilience -- and illusion-shattering cheating.

The series is just way too big for one human to take in, but any "inning" I've watched, I've been sucked into the storytelling for an hour or so. The series was released in 1994, and like the article says, a heck of a lot has happened since then. Good timing if you ask me.

Ken Burns Goes Into Extra Innings (NBC LA)

I don't think I've seen Rick Reilly on ESPN's airwaves since the PGA Championship, but that's not stopping ESPN from giving their 5-year, 17+ million dollar man, his own show. Beginning this Friday, Reilly will be sitting down with various stars for a six-part series called "Homecoming" on ESPN2. The craziest part about the interviews....they're going to be hour-long sitdowns! Via ESPN PR....

ESPN2's new series -- Homecoming -- challenges that old adage "you can't go home again." Hosted by 10-time Sportswriter of the Year Rick Reilly, Homecoming will debut Friday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m. ET with an episode on Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers in his hometown of Raleigh, N.C. The following week, Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway returns to Van Nuys, Calif. The shows are the first two of a six-part series featuring one-on-one, hour-long interviews of today’s top names in sports from the towns and cities where they grew up. In the first episode, Hamilton is surrounded by friends, family and teammates at Athens Drive High School, where his life and career were first nurtured en route to him becoming the first overall draft pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. His career was derailed by injuries and addictions in 2001, but with the help of his family and friends, and with great resolve, he reclaimed his life and his swing. Hamilton's recovery was noted by his mesmerizing performance at the 2008 MLB All-Star Home Run Contest.

I think I'd check out the Josh Hamilton piece, but I could honestly care less about John Elway's high school. Hopefully ESPN steps it up for the rest of the interviews. I'm guessing, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lance Armstrong and either Sammy Sosa or Barry Bonds.

I personally thought that the MLB on FOX pregame show was just about the biggest waste of time on television, and was extremely happy when they decided to drop it for this year. It wasn't because of any one person, but rather all parties involved were just not right for a Studio show.

With that said, it comes as a huge surprise now that the Dodgers are actually considering hiring host, Jeanne Zelasko as their play-by-play voice. Zelasko has been "beating down their door" following the move of Charley Steiner to radio, and there seems her hiring could become a reality soon. Via The Arizona Republic....

Zelasko said it is understandable that the Dodgers asked her if she ever had done baseball play-by-play - the answer is no - but she had that role for ice-skating and gymnastics competitions.

"But I've been around baseball for a very long time, and Kevin Kennedy, who should be managing somewhere, taught me more about that the game than I think most people could even consider. I was blessed to be next to him for eight years. So I'm excited. I don't know if they'll bite."

She knows the experience and gender factors are not in her favor, but she has conquered the odds before. She was the first female reporter to walk the NASCAR pits, and she has handled other "firsts" with relative ease.

"Honestly, I have walked on this thin ice before with anything I've ever done in my broadcasting career," she said. "As I was telling the Dodgers, I would never ask for something I thought I would fail at. I think it's gonna take the right woman at the right time, and if I may be so bold, I believe that person's me."

I don't know if she's the best option out there at the moment, but it would be interesting to hear a female voice in Baseball. I say the Dodgers try her out for a bit, and if it works great, if not....no harm done.

Zelasko also says she is winning her battle with thyroid Cancer, which is definitely a great thing.

Zelasko seeks Dodgers' play-by-play gig (Arizona Republic)
Jeanne Zelasko Looking To Become MLB's First Female Play-By-Play Announcer (Vent About Sports)

ESPN's technology department hasn't exactly been lining up winners lately. They've tried the mobile game and failed, but now they're trying to get into your television remote. According to Ad Age, beginning this summer ESPN will offer three new "iTV" products that will allow you to join in the network's reindeer games....

Beginning in summer 2009, the Walt Disney Co. sports-entertainment network will offer three new iTV products, tentatively titled ESPN My Vote, ESPN In Game Extra and My Bottom Line. Specific cable-distribution partners have yet to be determined, but ESPN My Vote and ESPN In Game Extra will each employ EBIF middleware technology, already available in millions of set-top boxes nationwide, while My Bottom Line will use Tru2way technology, the cross-cable software that powers cable operators' interactive programming guides, games and other programs.

ESPN My Vote is an interactive feature that will enable viewers to participate in voting and polling during live broadcasts of "SportsCenter," "College Football Live," College Football telecast, Major League Baseball telecasts and "Baseball Tonight."

ESPN In Game Extra will give viewers the option to access additional game stats during live telecasts, including player tracking, scores, standings and schedules.

My Bottom Line refers to the bottom line, or news scroll across the bottom of the TV screen, which fans will be able to customize to their favorite teams or cities, regardless of geography. So a Cleveland sports fan in New York could customize scores for the Cavs and the Browns, with live access to stats, standings, research and even information about fantasy players.

I can't stand polls personally, but the other two actually sound pretty awesome. I've always loved the DirecTV feature where you can plug your fantasy football team in and get stats across the board. Plus, having to wait through WNBA and MLS scores for real Sports is a pain in the ass. I wish I had "My Bottom Line" right now actually.

ESPN Rolls Out Interactive Features (Ad Age)

I honestly have no idea what an "Assistant to the GM" actually does, but apparently the job isn't as glamorous as TV analyst on a newly formed network. The MLB Network's latest hire is a familiar face, and one that could end up being pretty good on set, Barry Larkin....

WASHINGTON -- Barry Larkin said on Monday that he is leaving the Nationals to take a job as an analyst with the MLB Network, which launches on Jan. 1, 2009.

Larkin, 44, spent the past four seasons as a special assistant to Nationals general manager Jim Bowden. He worked with Minor League players on hitting, baserunning and fielding, and sometimes helped Bowden make personnel decisions.

During the final weeks of the 2008 season, however, Larkin was in talks with Bowden about his future with the club. Bowden offered Larkin the first-base coaching job, but Larkin turned it down because of family commitments and business interests outside of baseball. The position eventually went to Marquis Grissom.

Well I guess that explains my question of what he did above. Seems like a pretty sweet gig, and one that's less of a burden than the one he took. Either way though, it's yet another good hire by the MLB Network. At this pace they should fill out their 42-man roster by the middle of January.

(Via MLB PR)

Week Sixteen of the NFL season is here, and ESPN will be airing their final game of the year on Monday night when the Green Bay Packers traveling to Chicago to take on the Bears. Not only will there be a "For Love or the Game" with Greg Jennings, AND a look back on the Monday night season in photos, but we'll also be getting a "comic book style" intro from Samuel L. Jackson!

The 2008 season finale of ESPN’s Monday Night Football will include a matchup of longtime NFC North rivals when standout rookie running back Matt Forte and the Chicago Bears – still in the hunt for the division title – host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers December 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET. It will be the first MNF game in the Windy City since 2003.

Samuel L. Jackson, star of the upcoming film The Spirit, will appear in a special stylized opening tease to kick off the season finale of Monday Night Countdown at 7 p.m. Still photographs of heroic Bears and Packers faces are given a comic book feel in their framing and color treatment as Jackson tells the story of heroes and villains, of good and evil, and a classic rivalry, capturing the longtime spirit of this NFC North matchup.

Well isn't that special? As if Jim Carey's cheesy movie wasn't enough. Although, I think "The Spirit" looks badass, and if they're going to use anyone for a spot before the show....Sam Jackson isn't exactly a bad choice.

(Via ESPN PR)

I mentioned about a year ago that there were plans to develop a sitcom based on the life of Lebron James. Well with the help of one O'Shea Jackson, or Ice Cube as most people know him, that dream will become a reality in 2009. According to ESPN's Sam Alipour, the untitled show will be a cross between "Friday Night Lights" and "Entourage", and will debut in either this Spring or Fall.

As reported in the current issue of ESPN The Magazine, the Cavaliers superstar has partnered with O'Shea "Ice Cube" Jackson and ABC for a one-hour drama based on James' experiences as a high school hoops phenom. The series, described as "Friday Night Lights-meets-Entourage," will follow an inner-city 15 year-old prep star who is transplanted to a small town school and forced to come of age while dealing with media pressure, unscrupulous moneymen and the jealousy of his peers.

The pilot script is expected in the coming weeks and, if the network approves, production on the pilot could begin in the spring for a fall '09 premiere. CubeVision and James's newly formed entertainment entity Spring Hill Productions will oversee for the network, while James and Cube will serve as co-creators and executive producers.

"It's a grounded character study of teenage life in small town America, but it's also an exploration of the American Dream and the wish-fulfillment aspect of what his life has become," said Matt Alvarez, President of CubeVision, who pitched the concept and is also an executive producer on the show. "As a teenager, LeBron was dubbed as one of the great ones. Dropping an album as a kid with NWA, Cube could relate to that. They both know what it's like to have success at a young age, and dealing with everything that comes with those expectations."

I was getting ready to bash the idea, but after that description of the character, it actually sounds kind of good. As long as it isn't done too cheesy, I think Lebron and Company might actually have something here. I'll keep you updated so you know when to update your Tivo with the Season Pass.

Lebron Goes Hollywood (ESPN the Mag)