Jim Williams: No rivalry in the booth

This weekend the Orioles are visiting the Nationals for a three-game interleague series that should draw good crowds to Nationals Park.

The MASN TV broadcasts will feature Bob Carpenter of the Nationals and Jim Hunter of the Orioles alternating the play-by-play duties, while the analysis will be done by F.P. Santangelo and Mike Flanagan. Debbi Taylor will handle the in-game reporting.

MASN’s relationship with the Nationals and Orioles allows it to be one of the few networks to mix broadcast crews. I have enjoyed watching the give-and-take between Flanagan and Santangelo. They do a great job breaking down both teams. Meanwhile, Carpenter and Hunter work seamlessly, describing the action while also adding their insight to the broadcast. Overall, I enjoy watching the blended booth for MASN and MASN2. Thus far, there is no rivalry among the broadcasters.

For pregame, Nationals fans will have “Nats Xtra” with Johnny Holliday and Ray Knight on MASN, while Orioles fans will find “O’s Xtra” with Amber Theoharis and Rick Dempsey on MASN2.

For fans who want to hear more of a hometown broadcast, you will want to listen to the respective radio networks.

Washington fans can hear the man who made the “Curly W’s” famous — Charlie Slowes, who is one of the best radio play-by-play men in baseball. He’s always joined by entertaining sidekick Dave Jageler. They can be heard on 106.7 The Fan and 1500 AM throughout the region.

Meanwhile, Orioles fans will be able to hear the colorful Joe Angel and his entertaining partner, Fred Manfra, call the Baltimore side of the series. Friday night’s broadcast will be on ESPN 980, but since that network will have the coverage of the U.S. Open on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the O’s games can be heard on sister station 570 AM.

Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!