SPORTS MEDIA

Ch. 7 jumps at chance to air Marlins

BY BARRY JACKSON

bjackson@herald.com

 

Channel 7 usually is the local station least likely to want to preempt its newscasts for sports programming. But WSVN has decided to jump on the Marlins bandwagon after Channel 10 declined.

 

Eager to seize on the Marlins' popularity, WSVN-7 said Monday it has agreed to simulcast at least the first three of ESPN's telecasts of the Marlins-Giants series, even though it will wipe out WSVN's early evening newscasts today, Wednesday and Friday.

 

ESPN -- not the Marlins -- finds local stations willing to carry their playoff games, with the opportunity to sell local advertising time. Channel 10 was given first choice, because it's an ABC affiliate and ABC and ESPN are owned by Disney. But Channel 10 general manager David Boylan said no.

 

''Because it would preempt our newscasts, it didn't make sense,'' Boylan said.

 

The only concern for Channel 7 would be if the Marlins-Giants game runs past four hours, which would force WSVN to miss the start of tonight's Atlanta-Chicago game on Fox. If Marlins-Giants goes to a fourth game, it's likely to be on ESPN and Channel 7.

 

If the series goes to a decisive fifth game, there's a good chance it would be at night on Fox. But if it's in the afternoon on ESPN, Channel 7 spokesman Charlie Folds said he wasn't sure if the station would carry the Marlins and preempt an NFL game -- Seattle-Green Bay or Washington-Philadelphia.

 

WSVN should generate good ratings this week, even though the games also will be on ESPN. Last week, Marlins games outrated some programming on the major networks.

 

For the season, Fox Sports Net's 3.7 average Marlins rating (57,350 homes) topped last year's 2.2.

 

BROADCASTERS SET

 

ESPN assigned Chris Berman, Rick Sutcliffe and Tony Gwynn to the first three games of Marlins-Giants. The Marlins are 6-0 all-time with Berman in the booth, including two recent wins against the Phillies.

 

This will be the first time Berman has worked in a three-man booth since 1993. ''It will be an adjustment,'' he said.

 

ENDORSING THE GIANTS

 

Fox's Tim McCarver says the Giants are the best team in baseball and have the best chance to win the World Series.

 

''Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- picked the Marlins in March,'' he said. ``It's refreshing. If the Marlins beat Jason Schmidt [tonight], it will be with the running game.''

 

Texas manager Kevin Kennedy also gives an edge to the Giants.

 

? Marlins TV voices Len Kasper and Tommy Hutton will anchor WQAM's postgame call-in show tonight.

 

SECOND-GUESSING

 

It has been an amusing South Florida tradition for Marlins' 11 years of existence: The team plays a game, then WQAM talk-show host Ed Kaplan criticizes the manager.

 

Don't think the managers have not noticed.

 

Jack McKeon, appearing somewhat irked, mentioned to a room full of sportswriters last week about how some late-night talk show host had questioned his strategy, even though no reporter in the room had asked him about it.

 

Sometimes, Kaplan will question a pitching change. More often, he will rip a manager for bunting, especially early in games.

 

McKeon couldn't believe the guy on the radio -- he didn't mention Kaplan by name -- criticized him for Ivan Rodriguez's bunting over Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo early in a recent game.

 

''Pudge did that on his own,'' McKeon said. ``I didn't do it!''

 

Kaplan was unmoved by McKeon's defense.

 

''He certainly doesn't tell them not to do it,'' Kaplan said off the air. ``Any time you play for one run in the majors, especially in the first inning, it's insane. I would never criticize [university of Miami coach] Jim Morris for bunting because fielding is not as good at the college level.''

 

But Kaplan -- who has hosted a late-night show in the market for most of the past 17 years -- doesn't just spew opinions.

 

He watches hundreds of baseball games on television each year, sits in the Pro Player Stadium press box when the games don't conflict with his radio show and is as astute an observer of the sport as any host in the market.

 

None of the Marlins' managers have confronted him about his criticism. But Jim Leyland -- who frequently drew Kaplan's ire -- ''wasn't friendly,'' Kaplan said. ``He knew I criticized his bunting.''

 

Kaplan calls John Boles the best manager in Marlins history -- ''he got the most out of his players'' -- but thought Leyland made questionable moves and was the beneficiary of great talent.

 

''I don't know what goes on in the clubhouse and how McKeon motivates them,'' Kaplan said. ``And there are things he does I like a lot, like moving up Miguel Cabrera in the order. And I would vote for him for manager of the year.''

 

But . . .

 

``McKeon also has done stuff that's absolutely mind-boggling. He brings in a lefty, Michael Tejera, to face lefties, and they're batting close to .400 against him. From a mathematical percentage move, there are several moves he makes that are questionable.

 

``If a team is winning, he doesn't change the batting order. So on a day Pudge Rodriguez was resting, he batted Mike Redmond third vs. a right-hander. That cost them at least one game.''

 

Kaplan doesn't seem concerned about McKeon's reaction to his barbs. Nor should he be.

 

''Nobody likes to be criticized, but it's not personal,'' Kaplan said. ``Because my show is commentary, I go out of my way not to meet players and coaches so I don't sugarcoat it if I like them. I've defended McKeon 90 percent of the times he's criticized, but I doubt he remembers that.''

 

Kaplan doesn't want to be perceived as too negative. ''I'm a huge fan of the Marlins, and I'm stunned at their success,'' he said.

Very interesting. Thanks. Many of us on Cable in Palm Beach County can get Miami Channel Seven by disconnecting the cable and hooking-up rabbit ears. Comes in fine.

I'll be listening to it on radio, but thats ok. As long as I get to know whats going on, I'll be happy.

Chris Berman doing the game, eh?

 

Eh....... I'm surprised they didn't assign Dave O'Brien, he'd have some good insight into the Marlins & obviously he'd be more familiar with the team. Berman's ok on baseball I guess....not my favorite. Sutcliff & Tony Gwynn aren't bad I guess.

I want Dave O'Brien & Joe Morgan!

''Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- picked the Marlins in March,'' he said.

 

Not true! :lol

Chris Berman doing the game, eh?

 

Eh....... I'm surprised they didn't assign Dave O'Brien, he'd have some good insight into the Marlins & obviously he'd be more familiar with the team. Berman's ok on baseball I guess....not my favorite. Sutcliff & Tony Gwynn aren't bad I guess.

I want Dave O'Brien & Joe Morgan!

well Berman has done our last 2 HUGE games vs the Phils.... maybe its a good thing

No O'Brien because he could have a conflict of interest for the Marlins. :shifty

I'm sure Sutcliffe and Gwinn love the Giants