MLB Tonight
Encyclopedia
MLB Tonight is the signature program that airs on MLB Network
and is simulcast on MLB Network Radio. The show offers complete coverage of all Major League Baseball
games from 6pm ET till 1am ET during the regular season. It is taped live in Studio 3 of the MLB Network facility in Secaucus, New Jersey
, but also features segments taped in Studio 42. The program airs from the beginning of Spring Training
to the end of the World Series
and is replaced in the offseason by Hot Stove
.
and Dan Plesac
rather than the usual single-host Quick Pitch format.
On Thursdays, due to Thursday Night Baseball
, MLB Tonight: On-deck Circle airs prior to the game from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. ET, and then the regular show airs following the game.
On Saturdays, the show airs before and/or after the Saturday Night Baseball game. If only one hour airs on a particular night, Ahmed Fareed will anchor solo. If more than one hour is scheduled, he will be joined by analyst Joe Magrane
In 2011, the Sunday edition of MLB Tonight was expanded to a three-hour show, airing from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. ET. It is hosted by Ahmed Fareed or Matt Vasgersian
with Magrane as the analyst.
MLB Network
MLB Network is an American television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball. Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share...
and is simulcast on MLB Network Radio. The show offers complete coverage of all Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games from 6pm ET till 1am ET during the regular season. It is taped live in Studio 3 of the MLB Network facility in Secaucus, New Jersey
Secaucus, New Jersey
Secaucus is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 16,264. Located within the New Jersey Meadowlands, it is the most suburban of the county's municipalities, though large parts of the town are dedicated to light manufacturing, retail, and...
, but also features segments taped in Studio 42. The program airs from the beginning of Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
to the end of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
and is replaced in the offseason by Hot Stove
Hot Stove
Hot Stove is the signature offseason program that airs on MLB Network and is simulcast on MLB Network Radio. The show offers the coverage of offseason activities including trades, free agent signings, and rumors. It is taped live in Studio 3 of the MLB Network facility in Secaucus, New Jersey, but...
.
Air times
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, begins at 6 P.M. ET. On Monday and Wednesday, the show will air until 1 A.M. ET as long as there are at least three west coast games. If there are fewer west coast games, the show will end earlier, usually at 11 P.M. or Midnight. On Tuesday and Friday, MLB Network airs a live game that will be preceded and followed by MLB Tonight, which almost always airs until 1 A.M. ET due to the full schedule of MLB games on these nights. Starting in 2011, MLB Network began usually airing two live games on Tuesday nights, meaning that MLB Tonight only airs from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. on these nights. The live game coverage is followed by a unique version of Quick Pitch with regular MLB Tonight personalities Greg AmsingerGreg Amsinger
Greg Amsinger is an American sportscaster and currently a studio host for MLB Network.-Career:Prior to arriving at CSTV in 2003, Amsinger was Sports Director at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, IN. A 2001 graduate of Lindenwood University Greg Amsinger (b. May 24, 1979, St. Louis, MO) is an American...
and Dan Plesac
Dan Plesac
Daniel Thomas Plesac is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with an 18-year career from to . He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies...
rather than the usual single-host Quick Pitch format.
On Thursdays, due to Thursday Night Baseball
Thursday Night Baseball
Thursday Night Baseball is the title of a presentation of Major League Baseball on cable and satellite channel MLB Network, that premiered on April 9, 2009. Longtime NBC Sports broadcaster Bob Costas is one of the play-by-play voices of the broadcasts. Matt Vasgersian also does play-by-play on some...
, MLB Tonight: On-deck Circle airs prior to the game from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. ET, and then the regular show airs following the game.
On Saturdays, the show airs before and/or after the Saturday Night Baseball game. If only one hour airs on a particular night, Ahmed Fareed will anchor solo. If more than one hour is scheduled, he will be joined by analyst Joe Magrane
Joe Magrane
Joseph David Magrane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and is currently a color commentary broadcaster for the MLB Network. He was teamed with play-by-play announcer Dewayne Staats from 1998 to 2008 as part of the Tampa Bay Rays television team.Magrane served as an analyst for NBC Sports'...
In 2011, the Sunday edition of MLB Tonight was expanded to a three-hour show, airing from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. ET. It is hosted by Ahmed Fareed or Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian
Matt Vasgersian is an American sportscaster and television host. Vasgersian is a host for the MLB Network and has served as an announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympics, and on Fox Sports' MLB coverage...
with Magrane as the analyst.
Main
- Greg AmsingerGreg AmsingerGreg Amsinger is an American sportscaster and currently a studio host for MLB Network.-Career:Prior to arriving at CSTV in 2003, Amsinger was Sports Director at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, IN. A 2001 graduate of Lindenwood University Greg Amsinger (b. May 24, 1979, St. Louis, MO) is an American...
: (2009–present) - Ahmed FareedAhmed Fareed-Early life:Fareed is a native of Sparta, Michigan. He is a graduate of Syracuse University S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.-Career:...
: (2011-Present) - Brian KennyBrian KennyBrian Kenny may refer to:*Brian Kenny , MLB Network personality and journalist*Brian Kenny , Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick*Brian Kenny , British Army General...
: (2011-Present) - Victor RojasVictor RojasVictor Rojas is an American baseball broadcaster, currently the TV voice of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. -Playing career:Rojas is the son of former major-league player and manager Cookie Rojas...
: (2009–2010) - Paul SeverinoPaul SeverinoPaul Severino is an sportscaster and studio host for MLB Network. He joined MLB Network in 2011 after working for ESPN from 2005 until 2010.He hosts shows such as Hot Stove, MLB Tonight, Front Burner, and Quick Pitch....
: (2011-Present) - Matt VasgersianMatt VasgersianMatt Vasgersian is an American sportscaster and television host. Vasgersian is a host for the MLB Network and has served as an announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympics, and on Fox Sports' MLB coverage...
: (2009–present) - Matt YallofMatt YallofMatt Yallof is an American sportscaster for MLB Network, where he debuted June 3, 2009 as an update analyst.Previously, he was the lead host of the New York Mets pre- and post-game show as well as a fill-in host for The WheelHouse and Geico SportsNite on SportsNet New York...
: (2009–Present)
Analysts
- Larry BowaLarry BowaLawrence Robert Bowa is a former middle infielder, playing mainly as a shortstop, and manager in Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
: (2011-Present) - Eric ByrnesEric ByrnesEric James Byrnes , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the Oakland Athletics, the Colorado Rockies, the Baltimore Orioles, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Seattle Mariners...
: (2010-Present; appears for one week every month since he must travel to be on the show) - Sean Casey: (2009–present; appears for one week every month since he must travel to be on the show)
- Tony ClarkTony ClarkAnthony Christopher Clark, known as Tony , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current MLB Network studio analyst....
: (2009) - Ron GantRon GantRonald Edwin "Ron" Gant is a former American Major League outfielder and second baseman earlier on who played for the Atlanta Braves , Cincinnati Reds , St...
: (2011-Present) - John HartJohn Hart (baseball)John Henry Hart is an American Major League Baseball executive. In addition, he is the former general manager of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers; now he currently serves as senior adviser, baseball operations, for the Rangers...
: (2009–present) - Barry LarkinBarry LarkinBarry Louis Larkin is a retired Major League Baseball player. Larkin played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004 and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team...
: (2009–2010) - Al LeiterAl LeiterAlois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
: (2009–present) - Mike LowellMike LowellMichael Averett Lowell is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees , Florida Marlins , and the Boston Red Sox...
: (2011-Present) - Joe MagraneJoe MagraneJoseph David Magrane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and is currently a color commentary broadcaster for the MLB Network. He was teamed with play-by-play announcer Dewayne Staats from 1998 to 2008 as part of the Tampa Bay Rays television team.Magrane served as an analyst for NBC Sports'...
: (2009–present) - Jerry ManuelJerry ManuelJerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...
: (2011-Present) - Dan PlesacDan PlesacDaniel Thomas Plesac is a former Major League Baseball pitcher with an 18-year career from to . He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies...
: (2009–present) - Harold ReynoldsHarold ReynoldsHarold Craig Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played from 1983–1994, primarily for the Seattle Mariners.-High school:...
: (2009–present) - Billy RipkenBilly RipkenWilliam Oliver Ripken is an American radio personality for XM Satellite Radio, a studio analyst for MLB Network's "MLB Tonight," and is a former infielder in Major League Baseball from –...
: (2009–present) - Dave ValleDave ValleDavid Valle is an American former professional baseball player and current television and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers from to ....
: (2009–present) - Mitch Williams: (2009–present)
Reporters
- Lisa Kerney: (2011-Present)
- Trenni KusnierekTrenni KusnierekTrenni Kusnierek is a sports anchor for WTMJ_ since April 4, 2011.She is a graduate of Muskego High School and Marquette University...
: (2009–2010) - Hazel MaeHazel MaeHazel Mae is a sportscaster in Canada. She was the former lead anchor for the New England Sports Network's SportsDesk news program and most recently the anchor on MLB Network. She is the current anchor for Rogers Sportsnet's 6PM broadcast of Sportsnet Connected. Mae worked for Sportsnet until...
: (2009–present) - Sam Ryan (2011–present)
- Jeanne ZelaskoJeanne ZelaskoJeanne Zelasko is a journalist and sportscaster who took over as the pre-game host of Fox's MLB games in 2001 after the departure of Keith Olbermann until October 2008. She also covered pre-game for MLB 2K6, MLB 2K7, and MLB 2K8 alongside Steve Physioc...
(2009–present) freelance
Insiders
- Jon HeymanJon HeymanJon Heyman is a sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and its website SI.com. He writes primarily about baseball. Heyman is also a baseball insider for MLB Network.-Early years:...
: (2009–present) - Tracy RingolsbyTracy RingolsbyTracy Ringolsby is a columnist with Baseball America and foxsports.com, who also handles pre-game and post-game shows for Root Sports telecasts of the Colorado Rockies, and is an occasional analyst on MLB Network. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colorado, until its closure during...
: (2009–present) - Ken RosenthalKen RosenthalKenneth H. Rosenthal is an American sportswriter and reporter.Rosenthal has served as lead field reporter for Major League Baseball on Fox since 2005...
: (2009–present) - Tom VerducciTom VerducciTom Verducci is an American sportswriter who is currently writing for Sports Illustrated and its online magazine SI.com. He writes primarily about baseball. He is also a field reporter for the MLB postseason on TBS...
: (2009–present) - Peter GammonsPeter GammonsPeter Gammons is an American sportswriter, media personality, and a recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for outstanding baseball writing, given by the BBWAA.-Education:...
: (2010–present)
Segments
- Capital OneCapital OneCapital One Financial Corp. is a U.S.-based bank holding company specializing in credit cards, home loans, auto loans, banking and savings products...
Premier Play: This segment shows viewers the key plays of certain games, similar to the "Web Gems" segment on ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Baseball TonightBaseball TonightBaseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
. (Although it on occasion features offensive plays and completion of no-hitters) - Inside Info: This is an interview segment with one of the Baseball Insiders.
- Inside the Park: This segment features live coverage of an ongoing game.
- Update: A brief update of an ongoing game, which includes a certain key play (such as a double playDouble playIn baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
, a strikeoutStrikeoutIn baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
, a home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
, etc.).