Major League Baseball is back on NBC. A network that is no stranger to televising memorable baseball moments. Think back to the 1975 World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox. Game 6 has long been considered one of the greatest games in baseball history, culminating with Carlton Fisk’s game-winning 12th-inning home run at Fenway Park.
Then there was the 1986 World Series, another seven-game classic that put the longtime angst of Red Sox fans on full display. Boston was one strike away from winning the title. Then game six unraveled through a combination of miscues and bad luck that have become part of baseball lore.
NBC also carried the 1956 World Series, highlighted by Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers. There was the 1988 World Series and Kirk Gibson’s unforgettable Game 1 homer on two injured legs. The 1960 World Series featured Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run to give the Pittsburgh Pirates the championship, while the 1997 World Series ended with Edgar Renteria’s walk-off hit to give the Florida Marlins the title.
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NBC was also there in 1974 when Hank Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th home run. Indeed, NBC has a long and distinguished baseball resume. After a quarter-century away, the network has reclaimed the Grand Old Game, along with some newfangled wrinkles.
A Local Flare
One of the best things NBC is doing this season is incorporating local team broadcasters into its national game coverage. It is a simple concept, but one that adds a tremendous amount of value.
There is something special about getting the perspective of someone who has watched a particular team all season. Local broadcasters provide information and insight that a strictly national broadcast cannot duplicate. They know the players, personalities, clubhouse dynamics, injuries, slumps and little inside tidbits that don’t necessarily show up in statistics.
On NBC, the local broadcasters also maintain a level of objectivity, eschewing over-the-top homerism.
NBC is also taking an interesting approach to its pregame coverage. The network’s Sunday Night Baseball pregame show, MLB Countdown to First Pitch, is hosted by the game broadcasters from the broadcast booth. There is no on-field or in-studio pregame show that then throws to the field. That separation no longer exists.
Viewers are brought directly into the ballpark and introduced to the voices and faces that will call the game.
At first, I was skeptical about the concept, But it does create a seamless and more intimate broadcast.
The open of NBC’s Sunday night games features a montage of great baseball moments from the network’s history. For the August 30 game pitting the Astros against the Mets, the video open was followed by a dramatic zoom-in shot of Citi Field, combined with the equally dramatic voice of play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian.
It immediately established the atmosphere.
Proven Voices, Future Stars
I am pleased that NBC added Vasgersian to its play-by-play roster. He is one of the best at combining knowledge, humor and professionalism when calling a baseball game or talking about the sport. Vasgersian was joined by former Astro and team broadcaster Geoff Blum, as well as ex-Met and team broadcaster Todd Zeile.
Vasgersian pulled no punches when discussing the Astros and their position in what he called the “watered-down” American League West. Blum provided a thorough assessment of where Houston stands heading into the final month of the season. That’s the value of a local broadcaster. Blum has watched virtually every Astros game this season. He has firsthand knowledge of the club from being with the team every day.
Much of the discussion centered on Yordan Alvarez and his pursuit of a potential Triple Crown. As of August 30, Alvarez led the American League in batting average at .320, home runs with 37 and RBIs with 93.
On the Mets’ side, Zeile emphasized the importance of getting slugger Juan Soto back into the lineup. Vasgersian also tapped into Zeile’s extensive knowledge of starting pitcher Zac Thornton. As Blum and Zeile spoke, NBC’s production team provided graphics with relevant player statistics.
I also enjoyed the camera shots of New York City and the exterior views of Citi Field. The whole concept made me feel as though I was actually at the game rather than sitting in front of a television waiting for a sterile studio program to end.
NBC’s broadcast crew also featured reporters Ashley ShahAhmadi and Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia. ShahAhmadi conducted a solid pregame interview with Astros first baseman Christian Walker. Sabathia, stationed at field level, provided insight into the pitching side of the game.
I was impressed with Sabathia as a relative newcomer to television. His knowledge of the game comes through naturally, and his perspective as a former pitcher adds depth to the broadcast.
3-Man vs. 4-Man
NBC showcased a doubleheader this past Sunday, with the first game featuring the Reds at the Cubs. Play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti was joined by Anthony Rizzo, Jeff Brantley and Joey Votto in the Wrigley Field broadcast booth for MLB Countdown to First Pitch.
To be honest, the four-man pregame booth was a little crowded for my taste. I much preferred the three-man setup used for the Astros-Mets game. There is simply not enough time in a pregame segment for four people to provide their full opinions and perspectives.
Still, the local touch was positive. Votto, a former Red, brought his Cincy knowledge to the broadcast. Rizzo added insight on the Cubs. It was great to see Brantley, another former Red, talking baseball. I always liked his work on ESPN.
Votto has been an absolute find on television. I like his direct, no-holds-barred approach. He is not afraid to offer an opinion and brings a lot to the discussion. I would like to see more from Rizzo as he develops as a broadcaster. He has a terrific personality, but I want to see and hear more of the baseball knowledge he surely possesses.
Benetti is a really solid baseball play-by-play announcer. He also did an excellent job getting all three analysts mixing into the pregame conversation. As Benetti was reciting his opening intro to the Reds-Cubs game, the grounds crew was actually pulling the tarp off the field following a rain delay.
This is another plus in having the pregame show at the field. A studio host didn’t have to say, “Let’s take you to the ballpark now to see what the weather is like.”
We were already there and saw it firsthand.
That, to me, is what NBC baseball version 2026 is all about. The network is combining its vast baseball history with new production ideas and modalities.
NBC’s three-year multimedia agreement with Major League Baseball is off to an impressive start. The local broadcasters add authenticity and gravitas. The on-site pregame show works really well. The production combines baseball history, relevant graphics and excellent camera angles. An aspect that is uniquely crucial in live baseball coverage.
The Sunday night doubleheader experience showed NBC’s desire to embrace old-school baseball tradition with a new-school game presentation.
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