Lead TBS MLB play-by-play voice Ernie Johnson will not be part of the network’s coverage of the 2011 MLB postseason due to a family illness.
Johnson will miss TBS coverage of the Major League Baseball Division Series and National League Championship Series as he and his family deal with the illness of his son Michael, who has muscular dystrophy.
“At this time,” Johnson said in a statement, “my job is to be with Michael and my family.”
Johnson became TBS’ lead MLB play-by-play voice last year, after serving as the network’s studio host from 2007-2009. He is also the host of the NBA on TNT. It was not immediately clear whether he would be available for the November 1 start of the NBA season, should that begin as scheduled.
Brian Anderson will replace Johnson as the lead voice of the playoffs on TBS, working alongside Ron Darling and John Smoltz.
With Anderson’s shift to the lead team, Turner Sports has brought in Victor Rojas as a fourth play-by-play voice for Division Series coverage. Rojas will work alongside Joe Simpson.
The two other broadcast teams will feature Dick Stockton with Bob Brenly and Don Orsillo with Buck Martinez.
Craig Sager and Tom Verducci will return as sideline reporters, joined by newcomers Jamie Maggio and Sam Ryan. Maggio and Ryan replace Marc Fein, who left Turner Sports earlier this year, and David Aldridge.
(Information from Turner Sports)
