Unlike ESPN, FOX just goes ahead and plans the whole Baseball season out waaaay ahead of time, and just before pitchers and catchers report they release it for the world to enjoy. Or to see how many times the Red Sox and Yankees play on the network. Surprisingly though there are a total of four teams that appear on the network more than New York and Boston. Here's this year's team breakdown.....

Phillies - 9
Mariners - 9
Braves - 9
Twins - 9
Yankees - 8
Red Sox - 8
Cubs - 8
Mets - 8
Cardinals - 8
Angels - 7
Rangers - 7
Giants - 7
Rays - 5
White Sox - 5

FOX will also throw in a few 7pm games into the mix (May 22nd & June 26). All games start at 4pm EST unless otherwise noted....
_______________________________

Saturday, April 10th (3pm)

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays
St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers
Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers

Saturday, April 17th

New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians
San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, April 24th

New York Yankees at Anaheim Angels
Seattle Mariners at Chicago White Sox

Saturday, May 1st (3pm)

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
Texas Rangers at Seattle Mariners
Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, May 8th (3pm)

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies

Saturday, May 15th

Philadelphia Phillies at Milwaukee Brewers
Seattle Mariners at Tampa Bay Rays
Houston Astros at San Francisco Giants

Saturday, May 22nd (7pm)

New York Yankees at New York Mets
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies
Chicago Cubs at Texas Rangers
Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, May 29th

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins
Seattle Mariners at Anaheim Angels

Saturday, June 5th

Florida Marlins at New York Mets
Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Anaheim Angels at Seattle Mariners

Saturday, June 12th

Philadelphia Phillies at Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs

Saturday, June 19th

Los Angeles Dodgers at Boston Red Sox
Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia Phillies

Saturday, June 26th (7pm)

New York Yankees at Los Angeles Dodgers
Boston Red Sox at San Francisco Giants
Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox

Saturday, July 3rd

Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, July 10th

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers

Saturday, July 17th

Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals

Saturday, July 24th

New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers
Colorado Rockies at Philadelphia Phillies
Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles

Saturday, July 31st

Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, August 7th

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, August 14th

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants
Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays

Saturday, August 21st

Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs
Anaheim Angels at Minnesota Twins
Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles

Saturday, August 28th

Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres
Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners
Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves

Saturday, September 4th

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
Anaheim Angels at Oakland A’s
Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins

Saturday, September 11th

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
Seattle Mariners at Anaheim Angels

Saturday, September 18th

Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers

Saturday, September 25th

TBD

Saturday, October 2nd

TBD

I've never had any feelings for FOX's Chris Rose, one way or another, before. That is until FOX decided that he's their "Ernie Johnson" and put him in front of the camera every chance they got. He's really a terrible announcer, but he hasn't really had the time or training to even be considered one. He has however been a host/interviewer before, and based on last night's postgame performance, I think we can officially say he isn't very good at that either.

Chris not only decided to address Derek Jeter as "Jeets", but he continually tried to go with a GPS joke about the parade route, thus confusing the players to no end. If you hop into Twitter and search for Chris Rose, you can read some of the reactions to his stellar work....

- Chip Caray, congrats. The worst postseason broadcast performance now goes to Chris Rose. What a complete embarrassment.
- How obnoxious is it that Fox's toolbag Chris Rose?
- Chris Rose is a grease fire as an anchor/reporter. It's like casting Jim Carrey in a serious role.
- Chris Rose should be out of a job tomorrow
- chris rose suuuuuuuuux
- I have no idea what Chris Rose was talking about, neither did Jorge or DJ.
- I hope Chris Rose asks more players how they feel and to soak it in.
- Chris Rose should stick to poker commentary

I love how it took a World Series win for people to realize how annoying Chris Rose can be. My personal favorite moment from the postgame was that Mariano Rivera had to bring up the retirement question by himself, and then answer it. Just terrible.

With that said, FOX's attempt at the Series wasn't all that bad this year. I still think that Tim McCarver doesn't know what he's talking about, but he does have his brief moments of genius. And Joe Buck was surprisingly tolerable for once.

Head to Deadspin for some more tweets about Rose....

Chip Caray Surrenders His Crown To Chris Rose As The Most Loathed Broadcaster In Baseball (Deadspin)

Why they decide to push back these Series every year, and have the World Series end in frickin' Novemeber is beoyond me, but here is your full MLB LCS announcing schedule. I never thought I'd say this, but after Chip Caray's showing in the LDS, I'm almost glad to have Buck and McCarver back....almost....

Thu, 10/15: Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers, Game One (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Fri, 10/16: LA Angels @ NY Yankees, Game One (FOX, 7:57pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Fri, 10/16: Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers, Game Two (TBS, 4:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Sat, 10/17: LA Angels @ NY Yankees, Game Two (FOX, 7:57pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Sun, 10/18: LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies, Game Three (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Mon, 10/19: NY Yankees @ LA Angels, Game Three (FOX, 4:13pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Mon, 10/19: LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies, Game Four (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Tue, 10/20: NY Yankees @ LA Angels, Game Four (FOX, 7:57pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Wed, 10/21: LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies, Game Five* (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Thu, 10/22: NY Yankees @ LA Angels, Game Five* (FOX, 7:57pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Fri, 10/23: Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers, Game Six* (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Sat, 10/24: LA Angels @ NY Yankees, Game Six* (FOX, 4:13pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers
Sat, 10/24: Philadelphia Phillies @ LA Dodgers, Game Seven* (TBS, 8:07pm)- Chip Caray, Ron Darling, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager
Sun, 10/25: LA Angels @ NY Yankees, Game Seven* (FOX, 8:20pm)- Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Ken Rosenthal and Chris Myers

Near the end of every Baseball season, networks scramble to pick up some of the games in the Playoff race, and this year is no different. We saw some of it last weekend, but the real fun will start this Friday night. TBS has decided to pick up the Red Sox-Yankees game that evening, with Chip Caray and Buck Martinez on the call.

The MLB Network will also air a BOS-NYY game (today, 3:30pm), as well showing the Tigers, Twins, Cardinals and Rockies, in the coming week. Add to that the FOX and ESPN schedules and you have one heck of a Baseball weekend. Here's a schedule for you....

Wednesday, September 23rd

Yankees at Angels - TBD (MLB-N, 3:30pm)
Phillies at Florida Marlins - Dave O'Brien and Rick Sutcliffe (ESPN, 7pm)
Giants at Diamondbacks - Dan Shulman and Joe Morgan (ESPN, 10pm)

Thursday, September 24th

Tigers at Indians - Victor Rojas and Mitch Williams (MLB-N, 7pm)

Friday, September 25th

Red Sox at Yankees - Chip Caray, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager (TBS, 7pm)

Saturday, September 26th

Cubs at Cardinals - Josh Lewin and Mark Grace (FOX, 4:10pm)
Dodgers at Giants - Chris Rose and Jose Mota (FOX, 4:10pm)
Tigers at Twins - Dick Bremer and Ron Allen (FOX, 4:10pm)
Cardinals at Rockies - TBD (MLB-N, 8pm)

Sunday, September 28th

Cardinals at Rockies - Chip Caray and Buck Martinez (TBS, 3pm)
Twins at Tigers - TBD (MLB-N, 7pm)
Red Sox at Yankees - Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips (ESPN, 1pm/Re-Air @ 8:30pm)

Saturday, September 19th:

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (FOX, 4:10, 59%) - Josh Lewin, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers(FOX, 4:10, 21%) - Chris Rose, Eric Karros

Markets: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins(FOX, 4:10, 19%) - Dick Bremer, Mark Grace

Markets: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Minneapolis, New York, Providence

Sunday, September 20th:

LA Angels of Anaheim at Texas Rangers (TBS, 1pm) - Chip Caray, Buck Martinez
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

If you were watching FOX Baseball over the weekend, you may have been one of the precious few to get a preview of Tim McCarver's new album! MLB on FOX, played some of the songs for the viewing audience, and what was a surprise to everyone, it really wasn't that bad. Via The Sporting Blog....

McCarver has a new album coming out called Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook. My assumption is that there is no actual printed songbook he reads from (if there is, I want video), but rather the concept of great American classics that people have chronicled together. And classics they are. McCarver's dulcet tones serenade us with the likes of "One for My Baby (And One More For The Road)" and "Gone With The Wind."

But here's the thing – by the sound of it, McCarver can really sing. When the Fox telecast cut back from a break they showed the Phillie Phanatic dancing to one of the old classics and play-by-play man Howie Rose made the joke that we weren't listening to Frank Sinatra play over the PA, but McCarver instead. And after hearing his 'talk-as-singing' style that Sinatra made so famous, it was quite a pleasant sound. If you're a sports fan and a fan of old crooners, this album will be right up your alley as nobody in sports is as old and 'croony' as McCarver.

Who would have thunk it? Maybe McCarver should consider a career move. In fact, I think everyone should buy it from Amazon now, so we can plant that seed.

Press Coverage (The Sporting Blog)
Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook (Amazon)

Saturday, September 5th:

Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox (FOX, 4:10, 64%) - Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers(FOX, 4:10, 23%) - Dick Stockton, Eric Karros

Texas Rangers at Baltimore Orioles(FOX, 4:10, 13%) - Josh Lewin, Mark Grace

Sunday, September 6th:

Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox (TBS, 2pm) - Chip Caray, Dennis Eckersley
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Saturday, August 29th:

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs (FOX, 4:10, 63%) - Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets Include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds(FOX, 4:10, 21%) - Thom Brennaman, Eric Karros

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle

Tampa Bay Rays at Detroit Tigers(FOX, 4:10, 15%) - Kenny Albert, Mark Grace

Markets Include: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, Orlando, Providence, Tampa

Sunday, August 30th:

Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees (TBS, 1pm) - Chip Caray, Ron Darling
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Saturday, August 22nd:

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (FOX, 4:10, 63%) - Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets Include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Dodgers(FOX, 4:10, 36%) - Dick Stockton, Eric Karros

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tulsa

Sunday, August 23rd:

Texas Rangers at Tampa Bay Rays (TBS, 1:30pm) - Chip Caray, Buck Martinez
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Monday, August 24th:

Detroit Tigers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (ESPN, 10pm)- Jon Sciambi, Steve Phillips

Saturday, August 15th:

Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves (FOX, 4:10, 60%) - Kenny Albert, Eric Karros and Ken Rosenthal

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants (FOX, 4:10, 26%) - Thom Brennaman and Mark Grace

Markets Include: Buffalo, Denver, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle

Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins(FOX, 4:10, 13%) - Dick Stockton and Bert Blyleven

Markets Include: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Minneapolis

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers (MLB-N, 8pm)- Local Announcers

Sunday, August 16th:

Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers (TBS, 2pm) - Chip Caray, Ron Darling and David Wells
Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Monday, August 10th:

St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN, 1opm)- Dave O'Brien, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips

Saturday, August 8th:

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (FOX, 4:10, 88%) - Joe Buck, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (FOX, 4:10, 11%) - Thom Brennaman and Eric Karros

Markets Include: Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Antonio

Sunday, August 9th:

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers (TBS, 1pm) - Chip Caray and Dennis Eckersley
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Monday, August 10th:

Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox (ESPN, 8pm)- Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips
___________________

Also a quick FYI to all you fantasy heads out there. You may have noticed the number of posts has gone down a bit in recent weeks. This is because I've been working on a bit of a side project involving Fantasy Football. The site is called 12 Step Drop, and even though it's still in the early stages of development, you should still check it out. It's a twist on the standard sites that are all stats and injuries, and I think you'll get a kick out of it.

Myself and a few friends will be live-blogging the Hall of Fame Game over there this Sunday, so please stop by and comment if you have a second.

12 Step Drop

Saturday, July 25th:

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies (FOX, 4:10, 73%) - Dick Stockton, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets Include: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (FOX, 4:10, 16%) - Kenny Albert and Eric Karros

Markets Include: Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (FOX, 4:10, 10%) - Chris Rose and Mark Grace

Markets Include: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis

Sunday, July 26th:

St. Louis Cardinals at Philadelphia Phillies (TBS, 1:30pm) - Chip Caray, Ron Darling and David Wells
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tiger (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Monday, July 27th:

Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN, 8pm)- Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Steve Phillips

A few weeks ago, I shared a clip of Charley Steiner botching an end of game call. Well over the weekend, Dick Stockton had a call that could quite possibly top the Steiner confusion. Stockton got confused on the final pitch of the game, and called the throw both "ball four" and "strike three". Here's the short, but hilarious, audio....

Too funny. I've thought that Baseball was the perfect Sport for the elder Stockton, because of the pace, but apparently even the slowest game is too much for ole Dicky. Such a shame.

(Thanks to JH for the clip)

I spent most of the night not paying attention to the All Star Game, but I made sure to record/watch Barack Obama's appearance in the booth, with Buck and McCarver. I honestly thought that the two Fox announcers would find a way to ruin it, but they and the Pres, actually made it enjoyable. The talk was loose and light, and focused on the game of Baseball, which is a welcome change from all the Politics that have crept into Sports as of late. Here's the appearance if you missed it....

Good stuff....now about that first pitch. Albert Pujols swears it didn't touch the ground, and there's talk of a Fox camera conspiracy, but I'm pretty sure he bounced it up there. The thing that everyone has to remember though, is that he threw it from the mound, which most people don't do. To throw it down the middle, and barely bounce it, is actually not THAT bad. In fact, I almost guarantee that half of the Nationals would have swung at that sinker.

As everyone knows by now, President Obama will be on hand to throw out the first pitch at the All Star Game tonight, and eventually make his way up to the Fox booth. USA Today talked with Joe Buck about what he plans to talk about, and here was the play-by-players response....

Joe Buck hopes the bottom of the second inning of Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game drags on. That's when President Obama is expected to drop by the Fox TV booth for a half-inning cameo with Buck and analyst Tim McCarver.

And if the three outs happen fast? "Maybe he'd stick around for more," says Buck. "But I don't know if I'd put him on the spot without clearing it."

Buck says "the last thing I'd ever do" is go into politics between calling balls and strikes. Instead, Buck might ask the First Fan — in banter he hopes will be "light and fun" and "respectful" — who he rooted for while growing up in Hawaii, or ask for his favorite sports memories.

Buck last month debuted his HBO show, and comedian Artie Lange got out of control and essentially hijacked the program. Buck chuckled when asked if he's afraid of the president asserting such unchecked power: "I'm confident that won't happen."

Whew! I was worried about that for a second there. Personally, I'm more worried about our President pulling a "Mayor of Cincinnati", and bouncing his opening pitch on the way to the plate. Hopefully they'll let him have a few warmup throws beforehand.

Fox All-Star Game booth readies for visit from South Sider Obama (USA Today)

Dick Stockton has been known to drop random thoughts during broadcasts, but this one might take the cake. I can't tell if he was just waxing-estatic, or if a graphic didn't show up, but listen as Stockton starts talking about "Just For Men" as A-Rod batted Saturday during the Yanks-Angels game. Via The Sporting Blog....

I know some people absolutely love Stockton, and he was certainly good at one point in his career, but it's time to let some of the younger guys have a try. If you think this level of craziness is bad, just wait until Football season.

Dick Stockton Wants You To Stay In The Game (The Sporting Blog)

I'm heading out for the rest of the week, for a small vacation, but wanted to get your weekend Baseball schedule up for the holiday weekend. Everyone have a great 4th, enjoy the return of Manny, stay safe and I'll see you next week.

Saturday, July 4th:

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies (FOX, 4:10) - Kenny Albert & Tim McCarver
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins (FOX, 4:10) - Dick Bremer & Mark Grace
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres (FOX, 4:10) - Dick Stockton & Eric Karros

Sunday, July 5th:

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs (TBS, 2:00pm) - Chip Caray & Buck Martinez
Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan & Steve Phillips

Monday, July 6th:

Atlanta Braves at Chicago Cubs (ESPN, 8pm) - Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser & Steve Phillips

The MLB Network added yet another piece to their ever-growing puzzle of reporters and analysts today, by hiring FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. According to MLB-N PR, Rosenthal will continue to work for Fox Sports, both online and on-air....

MLB Network today announced that Ken Rosenthal has joined its roster of on-air talent. Rosenthal will join the cast of MLB Tonight beginning Tuesday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Rosenthal, who will continue his reporting for FoxSports.com and MLB on Fox, joins Sports Illustrated senior writers Tom Verducci and Jon Heyman as Baseball Insiders on the MLB Network team.

“Ken brings a wealth of on-air reporting experience and insight into the game and we’re excited to welcome him to MLB Network,” said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “As we grow as a network, it’s important that we continue to bring fans the most up-to-date information from the best resources in the business.”

Rosenthal has served as lead field reporter for MLB on Fox since 2005. Prior to joining Fox Sports, Rosenthal worked as the national baseball writer for The Sporting News and as a sportswriter at the Baltimore Sun, where he was named Maryland Sportswriter of the Year five times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. He is a voting member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I still think Ken Rosenthal is a hypocrite after his Outside the Lines tirade during the whole "Ibanez Steroid Speculation" thing, but this is another big get for the MLB Network. Unlike the NFL, Major League Baseball only has one or two connected national reporters. Tom Verducci is one of them, and Rosenthal is the other. Both are now employed by the MLB Network.

In other Rosenthal news, be sure to Twitter him questions during the All Star Game. The reporter will be answering them during his time in St. Louis.

You know those weekend movie blocks, which usually feature a couple of comedians promoting their latest crappy movie? Well FX has come up with the ingenious idea to have the FOX team of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver host one of their very own! The duo will be hosting a set of movies that will air on the FOX network before the All Star Game on Sunday, July 12th. From the WSJ via Sportress of Blogitude....

Fox Sports spokesman Lou D'Ermilio confirmed network executives will head to Milwaukee next week to strategize with Commissioner Bud Selig about reversing the downward trends. "The purpose of the meeting is to find a way to boost the ratings for the All-Star Game and the World Series," he said. Plans include showing baseball movies on Sunday afternoons on Fox's sister channel FX, and promotional ads with broadcasters Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. Fox says it is less concerned with the shrinking Saturday audience, since the regular season games represent about 10% of the value of the $255 million annual rights fee the network pays.

I guess it's as good an idea as any when it comes to promoting the dreadful All-Star Game, but I'm for one going to be tuning that one out. Actually I take that back....with a lineup like Mr. 3000, Fever Pitch and The Benchwarmers....I'm 100% in!!!

Baseball Mired in a Mysterious Ratings Slump (Wall Street Journal)
Who Are The Ad Wizards Who Came Up With This One? Buck And McCarver To Host A Movie Marathon On FX (Sportress of Blogitude)
Buck and McCarver to host All-Star movie marathon (Sports Media Watch)

Saturday, May 30th:

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs - Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal (FOX, 4:10, 70%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago,
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Hartford,
Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis,
Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake
City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis,
Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks - Kenny Albert & Mark Grace (FOX, 4:10, 15%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro,
Greenville, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Nashville, Phoenix, Raleigh

Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays - DeWayne Staats & Eric Karros (FOX, 4:10, 14%)

MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Detroit, Fort Myers, Kansas City,
Minneapolis, Orlando, Providence, Tampa

St.Louis Cardinals @San Francisco Giants - Local Broadcast (MLB-N, 9pm)

Sunday, May 31st:

New York Mets at Cleveland Indians (TBS, 12:30pm) - Chip Caray, Dennis Eckersley
LA Dodgers at Chicago Cubs(ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan, Steve Phillips