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ESPN likely moving Jessica Mendoza out of Sunday night booth with more changes possible
By Andrew Marchand
January 27, 2020 | 4:01pm | Updated
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ESPN is working toward removing Jessica Mendoza from its “Sunday Night Baseball” booth, The Post has learned.
As for the rest of the SNB crew, ESPN executives are still determining its plan, though, Alex Rodriguez has been assured that he is welcomed back, according to sources.
Matt Vasgersian’s status as the lead play-by-player remains in question with Jon Sciambi and Karl Ravech potential replacements, according to sources.
ESPN declined comment.
A-Rod’s analyst partner the past two years, Mendoza, is unlikely to be back on SNB, where she became a trailblazing figure as the first female baseball TV analyst on what is MLB’s second most prestigious booth.
Mendoza, according to sources, has not been fully informed she is off SNB so that is why the decision is not 100 percent just yet. In theory, ESPN could change its mind.
ESPN executives insist they still have big plans for Mendoza, who just last year signed a multi-year, multi-million deal.
ESPN is reimagining its baseball coverage and Mendoza is expected to be an integral part, in studio or on possibly on weekday games. She may want to expand her reach in other avenues, as well.
Mendoza, who is also a Mets’ advisor, recently took a lot of heat for criticizing pitcher Mike Fiers, who helped expose the Astros’ cheating methods.
Enlarge ImageAlex Rodriguez and Jessica Mendoza in the Sunday Night Baseball booth.Getty Images
Though this did not help her and left ESPN executives further contemplating her dual role with the network and the Mets, it has little to do with ESPN’s thought process.
The Post reported in October that the Sunday crew was in limbo.
Even with Mendoza likely exiting, ESPN still hasn’t fully determined whom A-Rod will work with on the telecasts.
The Post has previously reported, ESPN has interest in YES Network’s David Cone for SNB. The Post has also reported that ESPN is looking into Chipper Jones as a game analyst.
If Mendoza is not in the SNB booth, it will further put the spotlight on Rodriguez, which is why someone like Cone may help to dim the glare.
Rodriguez and Vasgersian are in the final year of their contracts. While, according to sources, ESPN has assured Rodriguez that they would like him to return, that same level of certainty has not yet been extended to Vasgersian. Rodriguez and Vasgersian share the same agent.
While Vasgersian could still return, ESPN is considering both Sciambi and Ravech as alternatives. Sciambi and Rodriguez did a game last year that ESPN executives liked.
Ravech has worked at ESPN for more than a quarter century, succeeding Chris Berman as the studio lead of ESPN’s baseball coverage.
He has transitioned into more play by play, but it is in unclear if Rodriguez would give his blessing to Ravech’s promotion.
SEE ALSO
ESPN eyeing ex-Yankee with Jessica Mendoza's spot in limbo
With one year remaining on Vasgersian and A-Rod’s contracts, ESPN could still kick the decision until after this season. ESPN would be wise to go with the best pure booth and not worry as much about glamour.
Though Sunday night is a standalone broadcast, ESPN has too often tried to overdo it, frustrating fans who tuned into — get this? — to watch the game.
The SNB matchups aren’t unique as the same two teams have played on the days leading into Sunday. The idea of trying to make the production extra special when it is 1/162 is not well thought out.
Still, the perch is an important one, as only Fox’s World Series booth is more prestigious on the national front in baseball. ESPN’s importance in the game could grow soon as it would be unsurprising if it landed some playoff games in the next TV deal.
As part of its current reimagining of its baseball coverage, SNB has already changed the lead producer, as Jeff Dufine is taking over for Andy Reichwald.
When this type of change happens, the booth is often not far behind.
If not, it is like changing the chef and not the menu.
"Papi is back, you [bleep]!" Friday's Highly Questionable was special indeed.
Gonzalo "Papi" Le Batard returned to Highly Questionable Friday after months away, and he was in fine form, with phone pranks and extended middle fingers.
awfulannouncing.com
Damn Trey Wingo ready to leave Golic & Wingo. I wonder what's up with that. 
awfulannouncing.com
Trey Wingo's rumored departure from Golic & Wingo would keep the morning show merry-go-round spinning
Rumors of Trey Wingo wanting to leave ESPN Radio's Golic & Wingo call into mind the frequent turnover on sports morning TV programming.
awfulannouncing.com
Damn Trey Wingo ready to leave Golic & Wingo. I wonder what's up with that.
Trey Wingo's rumored departure from Golic & Wingo would keep the morning show merry-go-round spinning
Rumors of Trey Wingo wanting to leave ESPN Radio's Golic & Wingo call into mind the frequent turnover on sports morning TV programming.
I remember I thought the show was gonna crumble without greeny and Get UP was a mistake
I was wrong on both counts
Get STUMBLED GREATLY but recovered and I think this IS the show Greeny always envisioned and WANTED
But I wonder how Golic gonna work.
Golic and son is good but I still think they need that OTHER voice.
Yeah, they need another perspective in there.
I have no idea who that should be
but it SHOULD be a black person or a woman.
I want foxworth to do it but it seems he took Jalen spot on get up.
I wanted Jalen to have a Stephen A Smith rile and hop on all the shows especially pro and college basketball.
I want an espn basketball podcast covering the league with ALL BLACK FOLK ON IT.
Cause they got no issues with all white podcasts covering black sports
For certainty. And it's like any show that has a Black former athlete always has a white host.
I'd pay for something like a Bomani as host with a constant circle of Basketball and Football
guys who have respectable opinions. They don't have to be Hall of Fame players, hell how about
former players who became position coaches or assistant coaches but are out for one reason or
another.
That is the best damn sports show idea i heard in years.
High Noon is okay, but Pablo drags the show down. He comes off like a nerdy fanboy.
I just don't think the masses that watch ESPN can handle all the truth that Bomania spits.
Bomani's podcast is so much better. Him and Dominique Foxworth should do a podcast together.
Disney probably cant handle that much black excellence on one show.
I cannot dispute a single solitary word.
They better...
Cuz right now only show i watch on the regular is the jump and PTI
Papi only guest stars
And i was shocked the chemistry Foxworth and Bomani have on screen and on the pod.
They need to let Bomani take over the undefeated and let just have a ringer like deal that bill simmons got
Long form writing, podcasts, streaming video, interviews, specials and documentaries
I threw my phone when i read this.
I subscribe to the pod, the twitter, and stream. I want to see these ratings in comparison to katie nolan, sarah spain, the ufc stuff, and the boardroom.
@playahaitian I'm watching First Take and it looks like they have replaced Cris Carter with Kevin Wildes. I have never heard of this guy in my entire life. One thing I have noticed. This Mofo STINKS. 
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@playahaitian I'm watching First Take and it looks like they have replaced Cris Carter with Kevin Wildes. I have never heard of this guy in my entire life. One thing I have noticed. This Mofo STINKS.
Wait what?!?
I'll be back.
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High noon worked better as an hour show.
f*cking Facts!
@HNIC @fonzerrillii
How in the hell is ALL this supposed to work if there are NO SPORTS BEING PLAYED????
How in the hell is ALL this supposed to work if there are NO SPORTS BEING PLAYED????
Craziest thing I've seen in my lifetime.
I think we have a leadership problem, there is no plan.
If we had testing in place and a plan to rapidly treat those who are affected (hope is right word), we would be well on our way to getting this problem under control.
HNIC
Post of the era.
I am very curious how this is all gonna work out.
These talking heads gonna be exposed
no pun intended
Weeks of just hearing Skip stephen A whitlock etc just TALK?
When all this is over?
Contract renegotiation gonna be the NEW fun past time.
E gamers gonna make serious money
I tried to listen to Rob Parker and Chris Broussard talk about nothing last night and I had to bail out.
HNIC
EXACTLY
We REALLY gonna find out the truth about a whole lot...
Now these SPORTS TALK DUDES gonna be as heavily scrutinized by joe public as these athletes
Lets see how THEY deal under pressure?
Many sports talk folk will NOT be around next year
Some sports network will permanently disappear
How frivolous sports are and we really pay way too much to it in both time and money
That sports are truly used by the Government to pacify and distract
We will finally see REAL opposition to the NFL
We may finally see black athletes and entertainers use their money and influence to buy teams or start rival leagues.
We gonna see permanent changes in professional sport league schedules
This may be streaming and cable wet dreams in getting back customers if they make the most out of the opportunity.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg
three WHITE talking heads on WFAN NY RADIO MORNING
JUST QUOTED MALCOLM X
well damn
@HNIC @Lexx Diamond @tallblacknyc @ViCiouS
JUST QUOTED MALCOLM X
well damn
@HNIC @Lexx Diamond @tallblacknyc @ViCiouS