Baseball Beat: Wednesday, January 14th

Here is the rundown for the Wednesday, January 14th edition of Baseball Beat with Charley Steiner live from Los Angeles, California.  All times eastern.

1:03 p.m.
Guest: Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com
1:32 p.m.
Guest: Marty Brennaman, Broadcaster, Cincinnati Reds
1:48 p.m.
Guest: Chris Wheeler, Broadcaster, Philadelphia Phillies
2:03 p.m.
Guest: Selena Roberts, Sports Illustrated
2:32 p.m.
Guest: Curt Smith, Author
2:48 p.m.
Guest: Harold Reynolds, Broadcaster, MLB Network

Guest Summaries:
Rosenthal discussed national headlines including Derek Lowe’s signing with the Atlanta Braves, John Smoltz exit allowing the Lowe signing to happen, questioning why the Braves did not make a second run at completing the Jake Peavy trade, Orlando Hudson as one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball still being available on the free agent market, Michael Young’s discontent with being moved to third base by the Texas Rangers, comparing Lowe to A.J. Burnett with durability being the key, and Boston Red Sox signing questionable veterans.  Brennaman discussed the Cincinnati Reds including Walt Jocketty’s first full year running the Reds, how different this year’s team will be than last 2008’s without Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn, Jerry Hairston resigned, Alex Gonzalez health, Jay Bruce’s sophomore year, and need for a right-handed power hitter for left field.  Wheeler discussed the Philadelphia Phillies including defending their World Series crown and Chan Ho Park skipping the World Baseball Classic to focus on making the Phillies rotation.  Roberts discussed national headlines including how the economy is going to impact the game, New York Yankees new Yankee Stadium opening, Yankee arrogance over the economy, belief the Yankees are desperate to sell luxury seats, necessity of the Yankees to win the World Series economically based on their signings, Yankees still missing George Steinbrenner, New York Mets opening the other new stadium, and Francisco Rodriguez could be the impact signing for the Mets.  Smith discussed his annual state of baseball broadcasting including the changing state of baseball broadcasts v. talk radio, Vin Scully is and should be the model for all broadcasts, radio broadcasts trying to keep up with new technology, and his final comment was the “state of the Union is good with looming clouds on the horizon.”  Reynolds discussed national headlines and the start of the MLB Network including his role as one of the faces of the network, how the channel has been formatted, influx of non-tenders taking free agents’s spots, Atlanta Braves overpaying for Derek Lowe, and John Smoltz chances of a full comeback with the Boston Red Sox.

Tunes Summary:
1:32 p.m.
Watching the River Flow by Bob Dylan
1:48 p.m.
This Wheels on Fire by The Band
2:32 p.m.
We Can Talk by The Band
2:48 p.m.
Don’t Look Back by Temptations

Updated: 2:58 p.m.