MLB Network is stacked with solid talent from Brian Kenny to Abby Labar to Mark DeRosa, Lauren Shehadi, Yonder Alonso, and many others. In fact, it is difficult to pick a foundation talent on the network. However, one name comes to mind — a host and commentator who has shined on several shows with a bevy of collaborators and cohorts. Greg Amsinger might just be the brightest of MLB Network’s stars. His pleasant on-air demeanor is quite different from many of today’s ultra-controversial sports media luminaries.
I watched him at work on Tuesday, July 8, hosting MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show alongside longtime colleagues Dan Plesac and Harold Reynolds. The performance was vintage Amsinger. He opened the show neither with a bombastic blast nor an angry assertion. Instead, he said that his heart was warm at being reunited with Plesac and Reynolds. Amsinger then segued to some live batting practice video of the Mariners-Yankees game and made the astute point that the Aaron Judge versus Cal Raleigh matchup might be the best American League MVP race since Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera dueled for the trophy in 2012.
Amsinger offers insight while making both his viewers and panelists feel comfortable. Underneath his warm, sentimental, and welcoming personality is a true master of the game with a great memory and astute analysis.
Amsinger Never Steals the Spotlight From the Story
MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show employs a heavy dose of graphics and video. Throughout much of the show, stat graphics or live video take up most of the screen while Amsinger, Plesac, and Reynolds are in a vertical three-box to the left, similar to the ESPN2 Monday Night Football Manningcast.
Contemporary television hosts often seek to become part of the debate and are not satisfied with setting up their former player or coach colleagues. Amsinger is just the opposite. He loves initiating a topic and then letting the likes of Plesac and Reynolds run with it. You can see the satisfaction in Amsinger’s face when a broadcast partner makes a strong point off a topic he introduced.
Amsinger’s penchant for sharing the spotlight was no more evident than when Josh Hader of the Astros joined the program. Amsinger quite literally leaned back against the studio wall with his hands in his pockets and happily watched Reynolds and Plesac carry the interview. Amsinger is no mere wallflower, however. He has a controlled sense of self and enjoys being, at different times, both the straight man and the comic.
No one combines entertainment and style with real baseball intelligence better than Amsinger. When the discussion moved to the surging Toronto Blue Jays, he compared Jays’ manager John Schneider to Dave Martinez and his 2019 Washington Nationals. Washington started slowly in 2019, but Martinez — ironically fired by Washington this week — righted the ship and led the Nats to a world championship that season. Schneider might just be doing the same thing with the Blue Jays this year. Amsinger spouted that Schneider has a chance to go from the hot seat to AL Manager of the Year.
Later in the show, Amsinger talked about the Red Sox lineup and noted that rookie Roman Anthony has been hitting better in the three slot because he is getting a chance to bat in the first inning. While he is seemingly omnipresent at MLB Network, Amsinger really thrives on MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show. His on-air style mixes well and really benefits from the show’s production values. His commentary is in sync with the graphics and video, creating a multi-layered experience for viewers. Amsinger’s ability to interject his knowledge while simultaneously raising the collective games of his panelists is rare. He is laid-back, confident, and comfortable in his own skin.
When You Love What You Do, It’s Never Work
In my opinion, Amsinger has brought the smile back to sports TV. He thoroughly enjoys what he is doing, and he’s not afraid to show it. His unabashed enthusiasm is legit and refreshing, and his anecdotal style works. In discussing San Diego’s Manny Machado becoming the fifth active player to reach 2,000 hits, he recalled an interview he did with Machado when the ex-Oriole and Dodger signed with the Padres. Amsinger said that Machado was consistently cool and felt no pressure to put up big numbers to match his big-money contract. With his Pat Rileyesque slicked-back hair and sartorial splendor, Amsinger looks the part of a TV star — minus the arrogance and self-absorption. There’s just a natural feel to what he does on the air. He is genuine.
In the Greg’s List segment of MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show, Amsinger ran down his all-time Top 10 best first-half performances by a true centerfielder in their age-23 season. This topic allowed Amsinger to delve into his baseball fan side and his passion for the game’s history. You could hear the joy in his voice as he recalled names like Adam Jones, Dale Murphy, Grady Sizemore, Ellis Burks, and Ken Griffey Jr., and juxtaposed them with current stars like Cubs phenom Pete Crow-Armstrong and the continually great Mike Trout. Amsinger did yeoman’s work not only in offering stats but giving analysis on these past and present players.
Bringing Fun Back to Baseball
The two-hour MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show really showcases the rapport between Amsinger, Plesac, and Reynolds. These guys are MLB Network veterans. They have worked together quite a bit, and it shows. They poke fun at each other and never let one another get away with any gaffe or snafu. The trio presented a terrific exchange about which team is the best in the American League, with all three of the debaters not only talking but also listening. Amsinger did a nice job of egging on both Plesac and Reynolds, urging them to give their views.
There is something for everyone on the sports media horizon. If you want a dude who makes you angry, spews contrived BS just to tick you off, and bases his success on how many nasty social media comments he gets, Greg Amsinger is not your guy.
However, if you are looking for someone who has fun, knows baseball, has just the right amount of edge, and truly knows how lucky he is to have his job, check out Greg Amsinger on MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show. This cat is not controversial and does not live for soundbites. His repartee is not about insults, jabs, or criticisms. On the contrary, Amsinger’s modus operandi offers a novel perspective — namely, he is as upbeat as they come. In an age where sports gabbers make their names with hot takes, incendiary comments, and fiery arguments, Greg Amsinger is a real-life sports TV unicorn.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
