MLB Network’s and ESPN Radio’s Plans for the World Series

MLB Network and ESPN Radio will be all over this year’s Fall Classic in addition to Fox Sports. Let’s give you the MLB Network’s release outlining what it plans to do and you’ll notice a big name there as well.

MLB NETWORK TO HOST MLB TONIGHT: WORLD SERIES EDITION LIVE ON-FIELD BEFORE AND AFTER EACH WORLD SERIES GAME

MLB Network’s Bob Costas and Past World Series Champions Barry Larkin & Al Leiter Among Talent On-Site

Coverage to Include Batting Practice, Game Previews, Analysis and Pregame & Postgame Press Conferences

Secaucus, N.J., October 26, 2009– MLB Network today announced that hosts Matt Vasgersian and Greg Amsinger will anchor its World Series game day coverage with analysts Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams and reporting from MLB Network’s on-field set will be Bob Costas, Tom Verducci, Trenni Kusnierek and Matt Yallof. MLB Tonight: World Series Edition will air live from each ballpark at 5:30 p.m. ET for two hours before each game, including interviews, coverage of batting practice and previews of each game. Immediately following each game, MLB Tonight: World Series Edition will return for live, on-field highlights and analysis. MLB Network is airing 100 hours of live coverage throughout the 2009 MLB postseason.

On off-days during the World Series, MLB Network will air Path to the Championship live with Victor Rojas, Joe Magrane, Billy Ripken and former Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Dan Plesac recapping the previous games and previewing the upcoming matchups from Studio 3 in Secaucus, New Jersey.

MLB Network’s group of analysts have a wealth of postseason experience with Larkin (1990 World Champion Cincinnati Reds), Leiter (1993 World Champion Toronto Blue Jays, 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins), Magrane (1997 National League Champion St. Louis Cardinals) and Williams (1993 National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies).

“Throughout the League Division Series and League Championship Series, we’ve made it a priority to be the fans’ destination before and after each game,” said MLB Network President and CEO Tony Petitti. “We have a great matchup between the Phillies and the Yankees and our on-air team is ready to give the in-depth analysis fans are looking for.”

From October 26 through November, MLB Network will air episodes of All-Time Games featuring some of the great World Series matchups, including the Detroit Tigers clinching victory against the San Diego Padres in Game Five of the 1984 World Series; Hall of Famer Don Larsen’s perfect game for the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series; Sandy Koufax’s three-hit shutout for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Minnesota Twins in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series; and the entire 1969 World Series between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets.

For those of you wanting a respite from Joe Buck and Tim McCarver on Fox, ESPN Radio gives you Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, although many of you based on the comments and e-mails aren’t fans of Morgan either.

World Series: All Games on ESPN Radio; Baseball Tonight on Site

ESPN Radio’s 12th consecutive year of postseason coverage continues with every World Series game between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, with action set to begin with Game 1 on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Jon Miller, who has called every World Series broadcast for ESPN Radio, and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, working his 10th Fall Classic for the network, will provide game commentary. Jon Sciambi, Dave Campbell and Peter Pascarelli will present pre- and postgame analysis and interviews.

Additionally, ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m., M-F) co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg will continue to present their season-long baseball guests including: Mondays – Buster Olney (6:25 a.m.); Tuesdays – Jayson Stark (8:25 a.m.); Thursdays – Tim Kurkjian (7:42 a.m.); Fridays – Peter Gammons (7:25 a.m.).

Karl Ravech will host Baseball Tonight’s on-site coverage – including pre- and postgame coverage – with a deep roster of analysts including Gammons, John Kruk, Kurkjian, Chris Singleton, Bobby Valentine and Dave Winfield.

And there you have the plans for all of MLB’s media partners for the World Series.