Quotes from MLB Network Conference Call

Today, the MLB Network held a conference call with reporters involving its new talent and President/CEO Tony Petitti.

Here are the highlights.

Quotes from MLB Network On-Air Talent Conference Call, 11/12

Tony Petitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, MLB Network

On The New Talent:
“One of things we’re most excited about here is they all have great versatility. What we were looking for in analysts were guys who could play the game at the highest level, but also those who are really comfortable talking about it and bring great experience. In Hazel and Trenni’s case, they followed local clubs and are able to function both as hosts and also as reporters. We have a great, diverse team.”

On Preparations for the January 1 Launch:
“Lots of preparations underway here — we’re building our program schedule, we’re building out our facility, everything is right on track and we think that today is a good indication of the type of quality we are going to bring to the screen with the quality of people we have here.”

On Programming:
“We’re going to be doing an unprecedented amount of programming with our MLB Tonight Show, which will be our main show. It will be something that I don’t think people have seen before in the way we are following the game.”

“We’re going to launch with an unprecedented amount of live hours for a new 24/7 sports network. We think we will be somewhere north of 1,400 live hours, led by the MLB Tonight Show, [which] will be on six to seven hours a night in season.”

“Baseball is unique. We think the history of baseball is incredibly important to people, and fans relate to it. So you will see some shows out of the archives of the game. We have shows that are in production now that will be ready to launch over time in the first few months that we come on. Obviously in January, there will be less live programming and as we get closer to the start of the season the amount of live programming will increase.”

Matt Vasgersian, Studio Host, MLB Network

On Getting Started:
“I can’t wait to get started. I was intrigued by this concept when I heard about MLB starting their own network, and everything I heard about business plan, about the facility, about the operation and specifically about the people involved got me more and more excited.”

On His Role:
“I’m looking forward to starting. I fashion myself as the David Mead of the MLB Network. First pick for the expansion team, I’ll make very little impact in my career and then fade into obscurity after two or three seasons at the big league level.”

Harold Reynolds, Studio Analyst, MLB Network

On Getting Started:
“I’m very excited and honored to be a part of this whole thing. I think it will be incredible – with the opportunity, with the reach – to be apart of the Network.”

On the Fan-Focus of MLB Network
“I think I speak for all of us that this is about serving the fan. There is no greater vehicle in sports right now that is going to be able to do what we’re doing in servicing the fans in and out of games with a long extended show with analysis, programming and different things of this sort.”

“It’s time for baseball to have a 24-hour network. If you’re a baseball fan, you’re going to love it. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Al Leiter, Studio Analyst, MLB Network

On Getting Started:
“For me, being a retired player for only a few years and having worked with the Yankees, I know what the prospect is, and looking forward to working with Tony and some of his staff and the people he’s put in place. A lot of players that are recently retired, they’re excited, they’re intrigued.”

“Having met Tony and pondered the opportunity and the possibilities – this is the future stuff. To be a part of a ground floor operation, with Major League Baseball and its backing… We’re going to be able to do analysis and cut-ins and in-depth programs. I’m really excited, and I think the possibilities are endless when it comes to covering a sport.”

Hazel Mae, Reporter, MLB Network

On Getting Started:
“I am over the moon to be a part of the inaugural on-air talent here at MLB Network. It’s a special opportunity for me to leave New England and Boston, where they live, eat and breathe baseball, so I am beyond thrilled and very humbled that I am here.”

On Her Role:
“The great thing about MLB Network is we have a lot of versatility with on-air talent. The great thing about this job is that I’ll have my hand in a little bit of everything.”

On Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees Rivalry:
“We are still going to be a part of [the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry] but I will be a little bit more objective. We’re not going to choose, but we’ll still be involved in the rivalry that may not be as intense the last couple of years, but every time the Yankees and the Red Sox get together it’s always a big event.”

Trenni Kusnierek, Reporter, MLB Network

On Getting Started:
“I think when you get into this business, your dream is to always work at the highest level and this for me is a dream come true. It was going to take a lot for me to leave my hometown of Milwaukee and being able to cover a team I grew up watching.”

“I grew up a huge baseball fan and to come to New York and to have the opportunity to work with Matt and Al and Harold and Hazel, I have never been more excited for an opportunity in my career and I really look forward to be a part of the beginning of what I believe will be a really successful network.”

Nice to see quotes from Hazel Mae who became a favorite among Red Sox fans and Trenni Kusnierek.