Tagged: ‘St. Louis Card…’

posted by on April 1, 2013 1:03 PM

ESPN Images takes you behind the scenes of MLB’s #OpeningNight Rangers-Astros game

Editor’s note: Front Row celebrates its second anniversary with a post showcasing ESPN Images’ look at how ESPN produced exclusive national television coverage of the 2013 Major League Baseball season-opener in Houston on Sunday.

It’s official. The 2013 Major League Baseball season is underway.

The historic March 31 Sunday Night Baseball opener on ESPN featured new American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. After 50 years in the National League, the Astros won their AL debut 8-2.

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ESPN Images freelance sports photographer Cody Duty was at Houston’s Minute Maid Park to capture all the grandeur of #OpeningNight. In the gallery above, Duty provides insights into how ESPN’s baseball production team works behind the scenes. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, MLBonESPN

posted by on March 29, 2013 8:00 AM

MLB Opening Weekend by the Numbers

Tim Kurkjian, Buster Olney, Karl Ravech, Pedro Gomez and Howard Bryant on the set of Baseball Tonight. (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

Tim Kurkjian, Buster Olney, Karl Ravech, Pedro Gomez and Howard Bryant on the set of Baseball Tonight.
(Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)

ESPN’s remote operations team has spent months in preparation for not only Opening Day on ESPN, but all of the 88 games that will be televised across ESPN’s networks this season.

Things get underway Sunday, as ESPN has the exclusive national telecast of MLB Opening Night as the Texas Rangers visit the Houston Astros in Houston’s American League debut (8 p.m. ET). continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, MLBonESPN

posted by on March 8, 2013 10:00 AM

Fan Central Mailbag: Spanish-language WBC Games on ESPN, ESPN2; ATH voice revealed; ‘Worst of the Worst’ voting

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Welcome to another edition of the Fan Central Mailbag. Remember, if you have an ESPN-related question, follow us @ESPN_FanCentral and use #FanCentralMB to tweet your questions. Also, be sure to “like” our new Fan Central Facebook page. You can also e-mail questions to FanCentral@espn.com.

Before we get to the latest mailbag questions, let’s first address some programming news. This Sunday night’s 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC) game between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will be simulcast in Spanish on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. There will be another Spanish-language WBC simulcast on ESPN2 Tuesday, March 12, at 1 p.m. The Spanish-language simulcasts are part of the exclusive Spanish-language, live coverage of all 39 WBC games on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Deportes+.

We realize some fans are curious about the decision to have Spanish-language simulcasts on ESPN and ESPN2, so we spoke with Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions Norby Williamson about the offering.

“The World Baseball Classic provides a great showcase of how ESPN’s resources can document a global event with strong multi-cultural appeal,” Williamson said. “Having the exclusive Spanish-language rights to all 39 WBC games on Deportes and Deportes+ for both the 2013 and 2017 events provides us with unique opportunities to serve fans across our television, audio and digital properties. The upcoming simulcasts are the latest examples.”

Two other quick baseball-related notes: First, ESPN’s first spring training game of the 2013 season takes place this Monday at 1 p.m. when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the New York Yankees (Full Spring Training schedule). Second, for those on Twitter, you now can get all your ESPN baseball news, updates and insight by following @BBTN.

Now onto your questions:

Note: This first question was directed to Jamie Little, pit reporter for ESPN’s NASCAR and IndyCar coverage and a reporter for the Winter X Games.

ESPN’s Jamie Little (Andy Hall/ESPN)

ESPN’s Jamie Little (Andy Hall/ESPN)

I always wondered about who makes the replacement car parts that are destroyed during each race and who makes the new interior roll cages for each car? – Bill continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, ESPN Fan Central, Fan Central

posted by on April 4, 2012 4:30 PM

Front & Center: John Skipper

John Skipper, President, ESPN, Inc.; Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks

Click HERE to listen to John Skipper on the Front & Center podcast.

After great anticipation, the 2012 Major League Baseball season finally has arrived. And, for ESPN it has arrived in a big way with five season-opening telecasts in three days beginning with Opening Night — Cardinals at Marlins and the grand opening of Marlins Park — Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Those game telecasts are a part of ESPN’s all-encompassing commitment to the sport.

On Tuesday, the day before the start of ESPN’s 23rd season of MLB coverage, ESPN President John Skipper discussed the totality of ESPN’s MLB coverage, what’s new for this season across ESPN’s outlets and what makes it distinct.

Filed in: Front & Center, Podcast

posted by on March 23, 2012 12:23 PM

A little ESPN Opening Night music: Train’s new song sets the mood

(L-R) Scott Underwood, Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford from three-time Grammy Award winning band Train

Opening Night is a special moment for fans of the national pastime. By May, there will be rehab assignments and missed starts. By July, there will be talk of selling veterans and rebuilding for the future. But for this one moment — a moment we’ve waited for all winter — fans from every team can dream of making World Series history.

ESPN’s Creative Services team wanted to capture the way baseball fans feel as the season begins and package it into a promotional spot for ESPN’s MLB Opening Night game between the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, April 4.

But to do so, it needed the perfect song.

Creative Services’ search led them to Brian Nolan, Senior Director, Creative Agency at Columbia Records. He just happened to have something in mind. The multiplatinum and three-time Grammy award winning band Train was set to release its new album, California 37, on April 17.

One track entitled This’ll Be My Year seemed like a home run. See the resulting ESPN promo incorporating the song by clicking here.

The cover of Train's new album California 37

“It immediately jumped out to me as a song that could be a perfect fit for the upcoming baseball season,” Nolan said.

He enthusiastically shared his discovery with Jessica Balboni, Associate Director, Creative Services, who handles many of the music selections in ESPN creative projects and promotions. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on January 11, 2012 6:11 PM

Mark your calendars: Opening Night features Cardinals, new-look Marlins

A look at the new home sweet home of the Miami Marlins, which will be showcased Opening Night on ESPN.

Let the countdown to MLB Opening Night begin.

ESPN announced today that its 23rd Major League Baseball season will begin with a full national telecast of MLB Opening Night — the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals at the new-look Miami Marlins — on Wednesday, April 4, at 7 p.m. ET.

Not only will the game feature the debut of new Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen and All-Star Jose Reyes, it will also mark the grand opening of Marlins Park.

The Cardinals will begin their World Series title defense with the All-Star of trio of Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman and recently acquired Carlos Beltran, in the heart of the order.

The champs, a new stadium and a lot of star power: This sounds like the right ingredients for a memorable Opening Night.

“We want to serve the fan by presenting the best Opening Day action we can,” says Mike Ryan, ESPN Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions.

“We’re very excited to showcase the Marlins’ new ballpark and the defending World Champion Cardinals on Opening Night.”

As Ryan says, the beginning of the MLB season is not just another day to baseball fans.

“MLB’s Opening Day has always been a holiday of sorts. People take time off from work and school just to be there for that first game. On Opening Day, everyone is equal. Every team has a chance to win the World Series.”

In total, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine for five games over the first three days of the season. The full schedule is included in ESPN’s season-opening press release.

Thursday, April 5: AL Central Champion Detroit Tigers will play host to the Boston Red Sox, followed by the Marlins visiting the Cincinnati Reds.

Friday, April 6: NL West Champion Arizona Diamondbacks will play host to the San Francisco Giants, followed by the Kansas City Royals visiting the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

“We always look for the best games available to us, like Boston at Detroit, and the best storylines, like Albert Pujols’ debut as an Angel,” Ryan said.

With additional storylines like Bobby Valentine’s managerial debut with Boston, the addition of CJ Wilson to the Angels’ rotation, and the Reds’ free-agent pitching acquisitions, ESPN’s season-opening games cover all the bases.

David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox will be featured during Opening Week of the 2012 MLB season on ESPN.

Filed in: Behind The Scenes

posted by on October 28, 2011 4:13 PM

Global Freese

David Freese’s clutch performance last night captured the attention of a nation, whether fans were consuming the game on TV, radio or another means.

ESPN International helped turn it into a global experience, making sure fans outside the U.S. could appreciate the epic game as well.

ESPN International distributes the World Series – in three languages (English, Spanish and Portuguese) – throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, New Zealand and the Middle East, along with ESPN America in Europe.

ESPN commentators Gary Thorne and analyst Rick Sutcliffe handled the call in English, with ESPN Deportes’ Ernesto Jerez and analyst Candy Maldonado providing Spanish-language commentary (with guest analyst Ozzie Guillen for select innings).

Filed in: On The Road

posted by on October 28, 2011 12:07 PM

Dan Shulman’s Calls of Key Game 6 Moments; Storify Re-cap

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(After clicking on file, please wait for the MP3 file to load.)

See how social media blew up during St. Louis’s historic win after the jump. . .
continue reading…

Filed in: On The Road

posted by on October 24, 2011 12:13 PM

Guillen on being BBTN’s new analyst

ARLINGTON, Texas — He’s outspoken. He’s candid. He tells it like it is.

He’s Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen.

He’s a manager, a champion and one of baseball’s most controversial figures.

He’s a lot of things to a lot of people, but at least for the next several days, he’s an ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst.

Guillen’s on the road with the Baseball Tonight crew at the 2011 MLB World Series, providing his baseball expertise and insights to what has turned into a memorable Cardinals versus Rangers showdown.

ESPN Front Row had an opportunity to catch up with Guillen on Sunday morning after he wrapped up an appearance on SportsCenter.

After walking off the Baseball Tonight set and into the talent’s green room, the sharply dressed Guillen was excited, respectful, and all business.

“It’s been amazing. It has really been amazing,” said Guillen. “Everyone I work with is so good. This is exciting.”

Even though Guillen makes his analysis seem effortless on TV, he says the gig has plenty of challenges. continue reading…

Filed in: Behind The Scenes, On The Road

posted by on September 29, 2011 10:22 AM

MLB review/postseason preview

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Above, ESPN MLB commentators share insight on a variety of topics related to the end of the regular season and start of the postseason.

ESPN’s Comprehensive MLB Postseason Coverage

  • ESPN Radio will exclusively broadcast every game of the postseason nationally including the World Series;
  • Nightly Baseball Tonight telecasts throughout the postseason;
  • SportsCenter – daily highlights, news and information, and analysis including segments with Baseball Tonight commentator and reports from game sites;
  • ESPN.com — news coverage, predictions, live chats, blogs and special interactive features including the SportsNation playoff bracket;
  • Extensive content on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter;
  • ESPN International – postseason schedules includes all NLCS and World Series games;
  • ESPN Classic – memorable World Series games, classic conversations and SportsCentury telecasts.

ESPN MLB Regular-Season Audience Increases Across Platforms

  • Entering Wednesday, ESPN was up three percent in viewers (1,434,000 vs. 1,386,000);
  • Sunday Night Baseball finished the season up five percent among viewers (2,294,000 vs. 2,177,000);
  • MLB content on ESPN’s mobile properties is up 27 percent in total minutes and 20 percent in visits compared to 2010;
  • ESPN.com’s MLB section is up 25 percent in total minutes and 17 percent in visits over last year.

Filed in: Top Stories