ESPN: 30 years ago, ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ makes its debut
By Manny Gómez
30 years ago today, John Miller and Joe Morgan first took the microphone together to call ESPN’s first-ever ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ game.
When ESPN launched ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ 30 years ago, it brought nationally televised games to baseball fans across America. It was (and remains) MLB’s version of Monday (and now Sunday and Thursday) Night Football; a must-see event involving a team local fanbases don’t always get the chance of observing.
In its original inception, current San Francisco Giants broadcaster John Miller and Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan called games. The Duo would become baseball’s voice to America every Sunday night for the next 21-years before officially parting ways in 2011.
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The program’s first game was against the New York Mets and the Montreal Expos in Stade Olympique. Ron Darling took the mound against Zane Smith and both starters would deliver stellar performances.
Both lineups featured a slew of elite players. Guys like Darryl Strawberry, Tim Raines, Larry Walker, Marquis Grisson, and Andres Galarraga to name a few.
The game would conclude with an Expos 3-1 victory, leaving fans yearning for more in the weeks to come.
Today’s iteration of SNB involves beloved announcer Matt Vasgersian, who younger fans will recognize from the popular video game ‘MLB: The Show’, and former New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
The most recent statistics show that ESPN’s ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ is regaining its popularity with viewers. In fact, according to ESPN Press Room, SNB viewership was up 3% from 2018, generating “five consecutive weeks of year-over-year audience increases.”
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These are all great signs for the state of the game. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until social restrictions are lifted before returning to baseball again. As a massive fan of America’s pastime, I can’t wait for that to happen.