NBC announced that Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo, and Joey Votto will serve as analysts as the network resumes broadcasting Major League Baseball in 2024. The announcement was made during the Super Bowl pregame show, signaling NBC’s renewed commitment to baseball coverage. Kershaw, Rizzo, and Votto will bring their expertise to pregame analysis across Sunday Night Baseball games and the wild-card playoff round, depending on their availability.
Highlights of Playing Careers and Recent Retirements
All three former players retired recently, each with distinguished careers. Clayton Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, ended his 18-season career last year after helping the Los Angeles Dodgers secure their third World Series title in six years. Anthony Rizzo, who played 14 seasons for three teams, retired in September 2023; he was notable for catching the final out in the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory, their first since 1908. Rizzo earned three All-Star selections and four Gold Gloves as a first baseman. Joey Votto, who played 17 seasons exclusively for the Cincinnati Reds, was the 2010 NL Most Valuable Player and announced his retirement in 2024.
NBC’s Strategy and Key Personnel Involved in Baseball Coverage
NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood expressed enthusiasm about the new analyst lineup. He said,
“We’re excited to welcome Clayton, Anthony and Joey, three stars right off the field who can provide fresh perspective on the players, teams, and everything that makes baseball special,”
adding,
“We look forward to rolling out some new concepts to take advantage of the unique insights of each analyst, beginning on Opening Day.”
Bob Costas has been named host of the Sunday Night Baseball pregame show, with Ahmed Fareed joining as host as well. However, the network has not yet finalized play-by-play announcers and additional analysts for the broadcasts.
Promotional Efforts and Broader NBC Sports Integration
To raise excitement for its baseball return, NBC aired a promotional spot featuring New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge during the Super Bowl and plans to show it again during coverage of the Winter Olympics. MLB’s Chief Marketing Officer Uzma Rawn Dowler praised NBC’s approach:
“Our new partnership with NBC and Peacock is off to an incredible start,”
she said.
“They are promoting one of our top stars in a new spot, integrating popular NBC talent, and airing it in highly viewed programming. NBC’s promotional plans for MLB have been creative and demonstrate they are bringing great energy to promoting baseball.”
Historic Context and Upcoming Schedule for NBC Baseball Coverage
NBC has a longstanding but intermittent history with Major League Baseball, having aired games from 1939 to 1989, participated in the Baseball Network with ABC during 1994-95, and covered playoff games from 1996 through 2000. Returning in 2024, NBC will begin its baseball season with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26.
The first game will feature reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates facing Juan Soto and the New York Mets at 1 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Later that day at 8 p.m., the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Arizona Diamondbacks in prime time. Sunday Night Baseball will debut on March 29 on Peacock and NBCSN with a matchup between the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians and AL West champion Seattle Mariners. The first Sunday night game on NBC is set for April 12, when the Guardians visit the Atlanta Braves.
Broadcast Schedule Details and Future Outlook
For the first six weeks, Sunday night games will air on Peacock and NBCSN, with NBC broadcast rights commencing from May 31 through September 6. As NBC reenters baseball broadcasting, the involvement of former stars like Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo, and Joey Votto offers viewers expert insights that are anticipated to enrich game coverage significantly. The expanded programming and enthusiastic promotional efforts indicate NBC’s eagerness to engage baseball fans throughout the season and beyond.
