Philly Sports Jabronis
By Todd Zolecki, Phillies.com
Comcast SportsNet announced Tuesday that Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs are joining its Phillies broadcast team as analysts alongside play-by-play voice Tom McCarthy and in-game reporter Gregg Murphy.
The new duo will broadcast more than 100 games, including 30 together.
“We are thrilled to have World Series champions Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs join our Phillies broadcast team,” said Comcast SportsNet president Brian Monihan. “These two former Phillies bring a unique perspective to the booth, and their expert analysis will add a new level of energy, insight and enjoyment to our Phillies broadcasts.”
Comcast began negotiations with the pair last week as replacements for Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews. The network declined to bring back Wheeler and Matthews as part of its recently negotiated 25-year contract with the Phils.
Moyer, who has worked with ESPN, interviewed three weeks ago. Stairs, who has worked with NESN, did so two weeks ago. Comcast originally intended to hire just one broadcaster, but both impressed during their auditions.
Both were members of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship team.
It is unclear how the Moyer-Stairs combination will work alongside McCarthy. They could share time in the booth, as Wheeler and Matthews did — Wheeler broadcast six innings, Matthews three — they could split games or they could both be in the booth with McCarthy.
Mitch Williams, Mickey Morandini and Kevin Stocker were also among the finalists.
Comcast will broadcast its first Grapefruit League game from Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 26.
