Smoltz to join Buck in Fox broadcast booth

Harold Reynolds has been ejected from Fox’s No. 1 baseball broadcast booth, replaced by John Smoltz as the lead game analyst, the network announced Tuesday. The criticism and backlash reached its peak during last October’s ALDS between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays when Reynolds blasted Canadian baseball fans by implying they are not used to playing baseball nor can they catch a baseball thrown to them.

Reynolds, who drew the wrath of the online commentariat for his long-winded and inane chatter, and Sports Illustrated pro Verducci are expected to be retained for alternative roles in Fox’s coverage.

Smoltz, 48, immediately joined Turner Sports in the same role after his retirement as an active player in 2010, earning glowing praise from his critics.

Fox has been working with the three-man broadcast booth with Buck, Reynolds and Verducci during the World Series since 2014, the year after Tim McCarver retired, but Martino noted that crew has drawn “mixed reviews”.

Smoltz, a former Braves pitcher, was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in July. Fox is still considering various options for its broadcast, but all with Buck and Smoltz in the booth.

Smoltz, the one-time Tiger prospect, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015 in his first year of eligibility. Darling remains under contract with SNY, TBS and MLB Network.

Reynolds, an analyst with MLB Network, is said to be in the same position as Verducci in regards to returning.