FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

MLB on FOX Comes Out Swinging for 16 th Season Saturday at 4:00 PM ET 2011 Premiere Features Yankees/Tigers, Giants/Dodgers, Padres/Cardinals

NASCAR All-Stars Head to Martinsville for Sprint Cup Action Sunday at 12:30 PM ET

Buck, McCarver & Karros Break Down Chances of Giants Repeating, On and Off-Field Problems with Mets, Pujols Contract and Mattingly’s Rookie Season

MLB ON FOX THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH OF ’11 SATURDAY – The multi Emmy Award-winning FOX SATURDAY GAME OF THE WEEK returns for its 16 th season on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 PM ET with live regional coverage of three exciting matchups. Week one takes FOX Sports to the South Bronx as and the Yankees begin their pursuit of championship No. 28 against and the Tigers. In , the defending champion Giants begin their quest of repeating against their most heated rivals, the Dodgers. In St. Louis, as the Cardinals host the Padres. Pregame originates live from Dodgers Stadium, with host . Once game action begins, Rose joins the game crew including and as a field reporter.

For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX . Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports and www.myspace.com/foxsports .

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 - 4:00 PM ET

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST COV. at , Tim McCarver 59% & – Bronx, NY MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, , Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, , Minneapolis, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach Probable : Brad Penny, RHP (3-4, 3.23 ERA vs. A.J. Burnett, RHP (10-15, 5.26 ERA)

San Francisco Giants at Kenny Albert & Eric Karros 20% – Los Angeles, CA MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco Probable Pitchers: , RHP (13-11, 3140 ERA) vs. , LHP (10-12, 3.62 ERA)

San Diego Padres at St. Louis Cardinals & 20% – St. Louis, MO MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Oklahoma City, , St. Louis, Tulsa Probable Pitchers: Clayton Richard, LHP (14-9, 3.75) vs. , RHP (10-11, 4.22 ERA)

PLAY BALL – BUCK, KARROS, MCCARVER AND SHANKS PREVIEW 2011 SEASON -- During yesterday’s MLB on FOX season preview press call, play-by-play announcer Joe Buck , analyst Eric Karros , analyst Tim McCarver and FOX Sports Media Group Co-President & COO Eric Shanks looked ahead at some of the stories of the 2011 season.

For a complete replay of the call dial 719-457-0820 and enter passcode 3073608

BUCK ON ALBERT PUJOLS’ CONTRACT SITUATION: “It has the potential of getting really ugly. The Cardinals should’ve taken care of two years ago before signed a $25M a year contract. Howard’s deal changed everything. If Albert Pujols is steadfast on wanting a contract anywhere close to 10 years in length, I don’t see the Cardinals being able to do it and they shouldn’t do it. If they can overpay him for a shorter duration, that would make more sense to me. I think the Cubs are right at the top of list of teams for him. They can say ‘here, change the perception of our club.” The other one might be the Mets, depending on what happens with that ownership situation. At the end of this process, it comes down to how bad he wants to be a St. Louis Cardinal. If the answer is, ‘eh, kind of,” then I think he’s gone.”

McCARVER ON THE METS: “I feel the Wilpons will have to sell the ball club. I don’t see how they can escape just by selling a minority stake where they won’t allow any control. It’s a deplorable situation and I would not want to be a player on that team right now. All the questions surrounding the team will be about the off the field problems and it’s very difficult to play under those circumstances. I can’t see the Mets doing a lot on the field but if they finish second or a close third it wouldn’t surprise me as far as their talent on the field.”

KARROS ON THE RANGERS: “I don’t think the road will be as easy as it was last year. The Oakland A’s are better, the Angels will be better if Kendry Morales gets back soon but I think the Rangers still win the division. I like Adrian Beltre a lot. I played with him when he was a youngster and he’s as good of as there is in the league.”

McCARVER ON THE RANGERS’ : “Is there any guy in baseball who has been any more of a team player than Michael Young ? He’s moved from second to short to third and now he’s asked to DH. He’s been an All-Star at two of the positions. He has been a guy who has accepted it and continues to accept it. He is the quintessential team player.”

McCARVER ON THE YANKEES: “I don’t think the concern should be whether Derek Jeter gets 180 or 220 hits. The real emphasis should be put on A.J. Burnett , Phil Hughes and whether Ivan Nova can win 13 games. If the Yankees are going to be successful it’s not going to be the success of Derek Jeter, it’s going to be the success if their pitching staff.”

KARROS ON MATTINGLY AS FIRST-YEAR MANAGER: “If I’m a rookie manager, would I rather manage the Pirates or Dodgers? I’d take this Dodger job 10 out of 10 times. He has a roster full of talented players. I think he will do well but I’m not sure what his style is. When he first faces adversity, we’ll get a real idea of him.”

KARROS ON THE GIANTS: “I think the Giants have improved their ball club from last year. I don’t say that because they went out and got guys but because they’ll have and for the entire year. Mark DeRosa can spell want did last year. The Giants are that much deeper and better than everyone else in the division. They would have to be a lot of things go wrong for them not to repeat in the division. ”

McCARVER ON GIANTS: “ is going to get off to the best start of any in the major leagues. His spring was astounding. With two ’s under his belt, I think he’s going to win his third.”

FOXSPORTS.COM MLB LIVE SHOW TONIGHT! – Beginning tonight at 8:00 PM ET, FOXSports.com goes LIVE for a final hour-long MLB breakdown. Host Brian Webber is joined by analysts , and Mike Harmon from Los Angeles. In between breaking-down each and every division, FOXSports.com airs exclusive interviews with Dodgers star Andre Ethier , White Sox slugger and pitcher with MLB on FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal from earlier in spring training. Kennedy, Bowden and Harmon also take questions via @MLBONFOX twitter or by emailing [email protected] .

Beginning tonight at 8:00 PM ET, fans can click here to access: http://tinyurl.com/4km7wdq

FOX SPORTS AND STAND UP TO CANCER COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT CANCER – During the 2011 MLB on FOX season, the network supports “Stand Up To Cancer” an organization that utilizes resources from the film and media industry to support a new model of cancer research. SU2C’s mission is to fund groundbreaking, collaborative research to accelerate treatments to patients. MLB on FOX, along with FOX Sports’ 14 regional cable channels will support the charity with on-air mentions. In addition, talent will wear SU2C pins and Public Service Announcements will next month across News Corporation’s family of channels. For more information please visit standup2cancer.org/foxsports.

ROSENTHAL STEPS TO THE PLATE FOR THE BOW TIE CAUSE -- Beginning this Saturday and throughout the 2011 MLB on FOX season, FOX Sports reporter and FOXSports.com senior MLB columnist Ken Rosenthal will proudly sport a bowtie – but why? Through the bowtie, Rosenthal is supporting “The Bow Tie Cause,” a philanthropic initiative created by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones in honor of Jones’ best friend Kunta Littlejohn. Littlejohn was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1999 and is in full remission today. Jones’ company has produced bow ties that represent a number of nationally known charities, from Livestrong to Ronald McDonald House to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. More bow ties are in development, including one for Stand Up to Cancer, MLB on FOX’s charity for 2011. Each Friday, FOXSports.com unveils the bow tie Rosenthal will wear on that Saturday’s broadcast, along with a description of the charity and how to get involved.

For the complete story told by Rosenthal on how the Bowtie initiative at FOX started click here: http://tinyurl.com/4uh6sat

HAMLIN & JOHNSON RULE MARTINSVILLE KINGS – On Sunday, April 3 (12:30 PM ET) the NASCAR on FOX team heads to Virginia for NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from Martinsville. When it comes to Martinsville Speedway there are two drivers to focus on; Denny Hamlin and . Hamlin and reigning five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson have combined to win the last nine races there – dating to the fall 2006 event. Coverage starts with the NASCAR on FOX prerace show hosted by , along with analysts and Jeff Hammond . The show airs live from the infield with updates from the Hollywood Hotel, FOX Sports’ traveling prerace set providing updates from drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action. Once the green flag drops, the voice of NASCAR is alongside analysts Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while , , and patrol the pits for reports on teams and pit stops.

Date Event Coverage Begins SUNDAY, APRIL 3 SPRINT CUP RACING FROM MARTINSVILLE 12:30 PM ET

FOX SOCCER TAKES FIRST 2011 LOOK AT 2010 MLS CUP RUNNER-UP – FOX Soccer’s coverage moves to Columbus on Friday, April 1 (7:00 PM ET), with its first glimpse of 2010 MLS Cup finalist FC Dallas and MLS MVP David Ferrreira , as they take on the Crew. Coming off a 0-0 tie with the New York Red Bulls, the Crew welcome back key midfielder Robbie Rogers from a hamstring injury. The big question with Columbus: will reserve forward Jeff Cunningham get a shot at trying Jaime Moreno’s league career mark of 133 goals against his former club? J.P. Dellacamera brings you the play-by-play with former MLS standout providing analysis and Brian Dunseth contributing sideline reports. Former US National Team and MLS players Eric Wynalda and Christopher Sullivan team up for the pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage. For the latest MLS news, information and FOX Soccer’s 2011 telecast schedule, visit: http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/mls .

FUEL TV’S “THE COLLEGE EXPERIMENT” DEBUTS FIRST ANNUAL CO-ED COMBINE THURSDAY NIGHT, MARCH 31 – This week on the College Experiment on FUEL TV Thursday, March 31, at 12AM ET/PT see how excited Butler and VCU’s mascots are, find out why all is not lost for Jimmer Fredette , and discover where President Obama’s ill-fated bracket ended up. Also watch the debut of the First Annual College Experiment Co-Ed Combine. Four College Co-Eds run the gauntlet of drills in a test of skill and agility. Fans will vote for the favorite. Petros Papadakis dishes out more unconventional awards for March Madness.

FUEL TV’S FRIDAY FIGHT NIGHT PREMIERES WITH “PRIZEFIGHTER” FRIDAY, APRIL 1 – FUEL TV’s Friday Fight Night premieres Friday, April 1, at 10:00PM ET/PT with the one-hour special “Prizefighter.” Watch this round-to-round breakthrough boxing showdown. Eight fighters must find the stamina to go the distance in a one-night ruthless boxing tournament. The only way to become the champ is to win every fight of the night.

-- FOX SPORTS --