ESPN tapped Karl Ravech as the voice of the MLB’s Home Run Derby as he succeeds Chris Berman, who had called the All-Star Game staple for more than two decades.
The move was announced by ESPN on Wednesday in an news release that also stated Ravech had been inked to an extension at the network. The Home Run Derby, which is slated for July 10, had been hosted by Berman since ESPN began broadcasting the exhibition live in 1994.
“To be able to continue with ESPN in these significant roles and on various platforms for what will amount to more than a quarter of a century is beyond my wildest dreams,” Ravech said in a statement. “Chris Berman set the bar so high for the Home Run Derby, my goal will be to keep it there and let the amazing athletes take it to new heights.”
ESPN announced in January Berman, who had been at the network since its launch in 1979, would step down from his Home Run Derby along with his studio roles on NFL coverage.
Ravech has been with ESPN since 1993 and served as the longtime host of Baseball Tonight. He will continue to be the lead play-by-play announcer for the College World Series and the Little League World Series, along with contributing to ESPN’s college basketball coverage.
