Oklahoma sports media notebook

Published: November 14, 2008

Cox to carry MLB Network
Cox Communications, a part owner of the MLB Network, will carry the channel statewide on digital cable when it launches Jan. 1, said Cox spokeswoman Christine Martin.

MLB Network spokesman Matt Bourne said the network will launch in about 50 million homes as the largest network debut in cable history. Besides Cox, he said Comcast, Time-Warner, DirecTV are partners in the venture with Major League Baseball.

Headquartered in Secaucus, N.J., the MLB Network will provide 24 hours a day of baseball content, including 26 regular-season games and 16 games from the World Baseball Classic on March 5-23.

Matt Vasgersian will serve as studio host of "MLB Tonight” and "Hot Stove,” a nightly offseason studio show. Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds have been named studio analysts, and Hazel Mae and Trenni Kusnierek have been hired as reporters.

TRABER’S MOTHER DIES

Sports Animal radio network talk show host Jim Traber said he plans to return to the air this afternoon following the death of his mother. Florence Theresa Traber, 86, died Sunday in Los Angeles. A memorial service is planned for Nov. 26 in Pasadena, Calif. In lieu of flowers, Traber said donations should be sent to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles (213) 251-3400.

SHORT TAKES

→Former OU golfer Anthony Kim and former OSU golfer Hunter Mahan are in the inaugural Kiwi Challenge, which will air 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on KFOR-4.

→New OU graduate assistant Kendra Wecker has joined Brian Brinkley on the OU women’s basketball broadcasts on KOKC-AM 1520.

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