ESPN’s David Justice is at the top of YES’ short list to be a new Yankee game and studio analyst, NYP TV Sports has learned.
YES has the opening because Joe Girardi left the booth to become Joe Torre’s bench coach. The network has eyed Justice as a possible replacement, feeling he’s shown great potential on ESPN.
This past Wednesday, Justice and John Filippelli, YES’ programming and production president, had a get-to-know-you interview in Stamford, Conn., home of YES’ studios.
Making the situation even more interesting, Justice is currently not under contract with ESPN.
ESPN, though, recognizing Justice’s skills, wants him back. The sides have had discussions.
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CBS’ Dan Marino gave one of those “What did you just say?” glares to Boomer Esiason following the Colts’ loss to the Patriots. Esiason said Peyton Manning may be “this generation’s Dan Marino.” At first, Marino thought Esiason was asserting that Marino couldn’t win big games, but that is not what Esiason meant.
“First and foremost, it was a compliment to both of them,” Esiason said. “By saying that, I must be assuming that Dan Marino was the best player of my era. A lot of people feel the same way I do, but in comparing them you need to have a team to support you. It doesn’t matter if you are the best player in the league.”
Esiason – like Marino in this week’s Five Questions – said there is no friction between the two.
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Warner Wolf is coming back to TV. Wolf – who was let go by WCBS-2 last year – will be on ESPN Classic’s Turn Back the Clock series on Feb. 2 when he works with respected veteran Jim Simpson on Seton Hall at Georgetown.
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ESPN has yet to finalize a deal with ex-Phillies manager Larry Bowa, but the feeling is that something will get done soon. He will do games, Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter appearances.
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Ex-Met Todd Zeile is on ESPN’s list to do a limited number of games and/or studio shows. Asked at the end of the season about his interest in broadcasting for 2005, Zeile was lukewarm.
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While WFAN’s Sweeny Murti may be the clubhouse leader to replace Suzyn Waldman on YES’ pre- and post-game, he is not a lock. Filippelli held auditions in Stamford on Wednesday. If Filippelli does stray away from Murti it could be for an unfamiliar name.
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Both Dick Vitale and Digger Phelps said that after two recruiting classes, St. John’s coach Norm Roberts will have the Red Storm in NCAA Tournament contention. Vitale and Phelps are part of ESPN’s new basketball version of College GameDay (Saturday, 11 a.m.).