Baseball For Breakfast: ESPN’s Early Morning, Live KBO Telecasts Making An Impact
"This has been an incredible effort and I believe a blueprint for the future."
(R, top to bottom): Karl Ravech; Eduardo Perez; Chelsea Wilson, who has called ACC Network basketball games for ESPN and is the wife of KBO pitcher Tyler Wilson
(R, top to bottom): PxP commentator Jon Sciambi; MLB analyst Eduardo Perez; ESPN.com senior writer, SNB reporter Buster Olney
(R, top to bottom): Jon Sciambi; Eduardo Perez; ESPN.com writer Joon Lee
Jon Sciambi and MLB Analyst Jessica Mendoza
(R, top to bottom): Karl Ravech; Eduardo Perez; Senior MLB Insider Jeff PassanA couple of months ago, no one would have predicted the rise of the KBO League in the U.S. However, as we know, these are unprecedented times.
As the exclusive English-language rights holder of the KBO League, ESPN is situated squarely in the center of South Korean professional baseball’s newfound American popularity.
Just how big did KBO become during its first week? ESPN’s coverage made Saturday Night Live, several new blogs and social media channels dedicated to KBO coverage have launched, and the impact of the sport is being documented across the sports and news media landscape.
It’s another tribute to the ridiculously talented and determined people at ESPN. This has been an incredible effort and I believe a blueprint for the future. – Karl Ravech regarding ESPN’s KBO telecasts during the COVID-19 pandemic
Oh, and ESPN Senior MLB Insider Buster Olney won the best haircut in quarantine! (See photo gallery above.)
The ESPN team – both in front of the camera and behind it – has worked diligently in the wee hours of the morning Eastern Time to deliver live sports six days per week to fans in new and innovative ways, such as “Live From Home – Commentary.”
“It’s been thrilling and challenging, and in the end, rewarding,” said Karl Ravech, Baseball Tonight host and play-by-play commentator for some of the telecasts. “It’s another tribute to the ridiculously talented and determined people at ESPN. This has been an incredible effort, and I believe a blueprint for the future.”
Set your alarms and watch baseball for breakfast.
Scott Gustafson provided the video below of ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., control room for KBO coverage.
