MLB Network is ending Intentional Talk after 16 seasons. The show’s final episode airs Wednesday, November 4.
What We Know: The show debuted on Opening Day 2011 with Kevin Millar and Chris Rose as co-hosts. Rose stayed through 2020, and Stephen Nelson then joined Millar from 2021 to 2023. Since 2023, Ryan Dempster and Siera Santos have shared the desk alongside Millar. Notably, Millar is the lone constant across all 16 seasons. In making the announcement to open Monday’s program, an emotional Millar shared his thanks for 16 seasons of opportunity to share baseball with laughs along the way.
What They Said: (All quotes via MLB Network):
Kevin Millar says he gave everything he had to Intentional Talk on MLB Network: “The fans of Intentional Talk. The one thing we’ve given you every single day is all we got. I’ve given you everything I have for that one hour over 16 years, no matter what’s going on outside that door. Things go outside our doors. If you’re a dad or a mom, you know there’s stress. There’s three colleges right now. There’s cars, gas prices, insurance. It doesn’t matter. But for this hour, we laughed.”
Kevin Millar on receiving the news that Intentional Talk is ending after 16 seasons: “I’m thankful for the opportunity. I’m thankful to be able to show you the inside of our life. I’m thankful for you to know that I can’t read, write, or spell. Just like the scouts thought I couldn’t run, field, hit, or throw. I got a chance to play 12 years in big leagues. I got a chance to have 16 years doing our own show together. It’s been IT3 [Intentional Talk with Siera Santos, Ryan Dempster] that I thought we were heading up here to the mountains. We got the news about five six days ago, and it was hard, and it’s sad.”
Kevin Millar thanks the crew and staff behind the scenes of Intentional Talk: “I want you to understand that I truly do love and thank everybody behind the scenes. Just like we did when we won that World Series with the grounds crews and the clubhouse dudes. They’re family. They’re bigger than they’re bigger than us. We’re just the pretty little faces that get to go and put powder on our foreheads so the lights don’t glimmer.”
Kevin Millar says he’ll miss the opportunity with Intentional Talk: “I will miss everybody. But I promise you, when I see you at the World Series, we’re gonna be hugging and the tears will be shedding.”
What Remains Unclear: However, MLB Network has not said what will replace the show in its afternoon lineup. It’s also unclear whether Millar, Dempster or Santos will take on new roles at the network. Likewise, the network has not explained why it is ending the program.
What It Means: Ultimately, the decision closes the book on MLB Network’s longest-running talk show. For 16 seasons, Intentional Talk leaned on humor, personality and player-driven stories. As a result, its exit leaves a noticeable void in the network’s daily schedule. Meanwhile, fans have just over two weeks left to say goodbye.
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