Sources say ESPN set to break up Morgan-Miller team

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/2008/10/25/2008-10-25_sourc...say_esp

Could the 19-year "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcasting partnership of
ESPN's Jon Miller and Joe Morgan be coming to an end? And will their
ESPN Radio call of the Rays-Phillies World Series be the final
chapter?

Well-embedded baseball moles contend the answer is "yes" to both
questions. Both Morgan and Miller have two years left on their ESPN
contracts, but that would not prevent a change.

Sources said Morgan could be shifted to the network's midweek baseball
telecast, where he would work with a new play-by-play partner.

His likely Sunday night replacement would be Rick Sutcliffe. If there
is a switch, it is not a given Miller would stay in the "Sunday Night
Baseball" booth, either. He too could be moved to another night or
over to the radio side.

"We expect both Jon and Joe to be back in the Sunday night booth next
season," an ESPN spokesman said.

Of course there is a big difference between "expect" to be back and
definitely returning. So there is something up here. Miller and Morgan
have spent nearly two decades together. During that time their
relationship has had its rocky moments. That's no secret.

What's coming to light is how unpopular Morgan has become with many of
his ESPN colleagues, who are less than thrilled with the way he
prepares for a telecast. Some of them also don't respond well to what
they call Morgan's haughty attitude, which he has displayed during
some of his more outspoken performances in internal ESPN meetings.

Prone to on-air mistakes, Morgan also has come under some intense
media scrutiny. And during those moments when he's made a mistake, the
give and take between him and Miller can sound strained. But some of
this stuff (if you don't take it all seriously) is kind of funny.

Take Wednesday night, during the first inning of Game 1. After Chase
Utley hit a two-run homer off Scott Kazmir, Morgan said: "And the
count went to 3-and-2. With Ryan Howard coming up next they gave him
(Utley) a fastball. ... When the count goes to 3-and-2 you have to
throw a fastball and Chase Utley does what he does so often."

There was a long pause. Howard swung and missed for strike one.
Miller: "Chase Utley fell behind in the count 0-2... "

Morgan: "I thought it was 3-and-2, but you're saying it was 2-and-2."

Miller: "Two balls and two strikes on the count before the (Utley)
homer."

It wasn't quite "who's on first," but you get the picture, right?

And if ESPN suits do break up the team of Miller and Morgan a year
short of their 20th anniversary, you think they, and the rest of us,
will miss this kind of moment?