View source for Baseball Tonight

{{Short description|US television program}}
{{for|the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] video game|ESPN Baseball Tonight}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Primary sources|date=August 2007}}
{{Infobox television
| image         = ESPN Baseball Tonight logo 2018.jpg
| image_size    = 200
| runtime       = 60 minutes
| country       = United States
| network       = [[ESPN]], [[ESPN2]] (1990–present)
| first_aired   = {{start date|1990|3|19}}
| last_aired    = present
| num_seasons   = 30
| num_episodes  =
| list_episodes = 
| location      = [[ESPN]] Headquarters<br />[[Bristol, Connecticut]], U.S.
| related       = ''[[ESPN Major League Baseball]]''<br />''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]''<br />''[[Monday Night Baseball]]''<br />''[[Wednesday Night Baseball]]''<br />''[[Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio]]'' 
}}

'''''Baseball Tonight''''' is an American television program that airs on [[ESPN]]. The show, which covers the day's [[Major League Baseball]] action, has been on the air since [[1990 in baseball|1990]]. Its namesake program also airs on [[ESPN Radio]] at various times of the day during the baseball season, with [[Marc Kestecher]] as host.

''Baseball Tonight'' is also the title of a daily [[podcast]] hosted by [[Buster Olney]] with frequent appearances by [[Tim Kurkjian]], [[Karl Ravech]], and others from ESPN and more places.

In 2017, daily airing of the show, other than its Sunday airing, was replaced by [[MLB Network]]'s ''[[Intentional Talk]],'' which stopped airing on ESPN2 in December 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-espn-baseball-tonight-20170427-story.html|title=ESPN's dropping of 'Baseball Tonight' most nights is a loss for independent sports journalism|last=Shaikin|first=Bill|date=2017-04-27|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-04-28|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/intentional-talk-no-longer-on-espn2-but-espns-plans-for-in-house-daily-baseball-show-remain-muddled.html|title='Intentional Talk' no longer on ESPN2, but ESPN's plans for in-house daily baseball show remain muddled|date=2018-12-07|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> As of December 27, 2019, ''Baseball Tonight'' airs on Sundays before ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'', and during the week for major events such as the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star Game]], [[College World Series]], [[Major League Baseball postseason|MLB Postseason]], [[Major League Baseball transactions|MLB Trade Deadline]] and [[Winter Meetings]], along with ''[[SportsCenter]]'' segments during the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/03/espns-baseball-tonight-returns-for-30th-season-with-more-roadshows-daily-segments-within-sportscenter/|title=ESPN's Baseball Tonight returns for 30th Season with More Roadshows & Daily Segments within SportsCenter|date=2019-03-06|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>

==History==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:EPSN Baseball Tonight logo.svg|thumb|Former logo]] -->
On January 3, [[2000 in baseball|2000]], the segment "Web Gems" was coined and created by then-producer Judson Burch. The segment originally featured great defensive plays followed by viewer internet voting on the "web." The phrase "web gem" is now common vernacular in baseball broadcasts and circles to describe outstanding glove work.

In [[2007 in baseball|2007]], a new segment entitled "That's Nasty!" was introduced. The new segment featured top pitching performances of the day, including the best individual pitches. These clips often include extremely high velocity [[fastball]]s, [[12–6 curveball]]s, or [[changeup]]s that completely fool the opposing batters.

In 2013, [[Adnan Virk]] replaced [[Steve Berthiaume]] as one of the program's hosts, joining [[Karl Ravech]].

Starting in April 2017 the weekday and Saturday editions of ''Baseball Tonight'' were replaced by the [[MLB Network]]-produced program ''Intentional Talk''. In December 2018, four months before the deal to air ''Intentional Talk'' was to end in April 2019, the show stopped airing on ESPN2, with airings on MLB Network being unaffected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2018/12/06/a-rod-and-espn-went-all-in-on-show-that-disappeared/|title=A-Rod and ESPN went all-in on show that disappeared|last=Marchand|first=Andrew|date=2018-12-06|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> For the 2019 season, despite rumors of a return of the show daily,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/daily-baseball-show-espn-baseball-tonight.html|title=ESPN looks to bring back an in-house daily baseball show, pursue a playoff series|date=2018-11-02|website=Awful Announcing|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> ESPN, just as they did the past two years, continued to only air ''Baseball Tonight'' sporadically throughout the season on Monday-Saturday, along with the weekly Sunday version ''Baseball Tonight: Sunday Night Countdown'' before ''Sunday Night Baseball''.

Also, a segment on ''[[SportsCenter]]'' known as the ''Baseball Tonight Report'' started, which aired all throughout the [[Major League Baseball]] season. During the [[MLB playoffs|Playoffs]], Baseball Tonight goes back to its traditional daily airings on ESPN2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/10/espns-cross-platform-coverage-of-the-2019-mlb-postseason/|title=ESPN's Cross-Platform Coverage of the 2019 MLB Postseason|date=2019-10-03|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>

On February 3, 2019, [[Adnan Virk]] was fired from ESPN for leaking confidential information, including the future of ''Baseball Tonight'', to the media, including Awful Announcing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/02/03/rising-espn-star-adnan-virk-fired-escorted-out-in-leak-investigation/|title=Rising ESPN star Adnan Virk fired, escorted out in leak investigation|last=Marchand|first=Andrew|date=2019-02-03|website=New York Post|language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>

During the final three weeks of the [[2024 Major League Baseball season]], ESPN or ESPN2 will air ''Baseball Tonight Special: MLB Squeeze Play'' on Wednesday nights. The studio show features whip-around coverage focused on the pennant chase. The show will mark the first since 2016 that ESPN has aired regular weekday editions of Baseball Tonight outside the MLB playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feuz|first=Alex|date=September 9, 2024 |title=
ESPN Launches Baseball Tonight Special: MLB Squeeze Play Whip-Around Show to Capture 2024 MLB Pennant Chase Starting September 11 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/09/espn-launches-baseball-tonight-special-mlb-squeeze-play-whip-around-show-to-capture-2024-mlb-pennant-chase-starting-september-11/ |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=ESPN Press Room}}</ref>

===Air times===
''Baseball Tonight'' appeared nightly on ESPN throughout the baseball season at 10:00&nbsp;p.m. ET and 12:00&nbsp;a.m. ET on [[ESPN2]]. The 10 PM show aired on ESPN2 in the event of a conflict. Following the cancellation of ''The Trifecta'' in late 2006, the 12:00&nbsp;a.m. run of ''Baseball Tonight'' was expanded to a full 40 minutes. The show has permission from [[Major League Baseball]] to show in-progress highlights. The show was also seen at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. ET and 7:00&nbsp;p.m. ET on Sundays, the latter show leading up to the ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' telecast.

The late-night edition on Sundays was usually just a re-air of the 7:00 show, with a ''[[SportsCenter]]'' anchor providing highlights of the Sunday night game in place of a game preview segment that airs during the live broadcast. The midnight edition usually re-aired at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. ET the following day (excluding Saturday, when the show is usually 40 minutes to a full hour).  That practice ended Monday August 11, 2008, when ''SportsCenter'' went to live editions in the mornings.

===Live, on-location episodes===
The show also appeared live at events throughout the year, such as [[spring training]], the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] and the [[World Series]] sites,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/10/espn-radio-baseball-tonight-sportscenter-all-on-site-for-the-world-series-washington-nationals-vs-houston-astros/|title=ESPN Radio, "Baseball Tonight," "SportsCenter" All On Site for the World Series: Washington Nationals vs. Houston Astros|date=2019-10-22|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> at ESPN the Weekend, and occasionally had remote stunts, i.e. a show from the rooftop at [[Fenway Park]] and a show from one of the Wrigley Rooftops at [[Wrigley Field]] in 2005.

It aired live from the field at Fenway Park on April 26, 2009, before the ''Sunday Night Baseball'' game between the [[2009 New York Yankees season|Yankees]]&ndash;[[2009 Boston Red Sox season|Red Sox]] game, which featured an interview with [[Dustin Pedroia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2009-04-26-nfl-draft-coverage_N.htm|title=NFL Network, ESPN have no limit on weekend draft coverage|date=April 26, 2009|work=USA Today|first=Michael|last=Hiestand}}</ref> On June 28, 2009, it aired from [[Citi Field]] in anticipation of that night's [[Subway Series]] game between the [[2009 New York Mets season|Mets]] and the Yankees.

During the 2019 season, ''Baseball Tonight'' went on-location for the defending [[2018 World Series|World Series]] champions [[Boston Red Sox]] Home Opener, along with going to [[London]], England for the [[Yankees–Red Sox rivalry|New York Yankees vs the Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2019/03/espns-baseball-tonight-returns-for-30th-season-with-more-roadshows-daily-segments-within-sportscenter/|title=ESPN's Baseball Tonight returns for 30th Season with More Roadshows & Daily Segments within SportsCenter|date=2019-03-06|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref>

==Personalities==
{{main|List of Baseball Tonight personalities}}

==Featured segments==
''Baseball Tonight'' is split into a number of segments, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of baseball. These segments include:
*'''3 up, 3 down''': 3 players/teams each that are either on the uprise or downside of their seasons or careers (in the case of players).
*'''Analysis''': a more in-depth look at baseball topics, players, and upcoming games.
*'''Best Seat in the House''': Airs during live editions of Baseball Tonight before [[Sunday Night Baseball]], [[John Kruk]] takes a tour on a ballpark and seeks for what he thinks is the best seat in the ballpark.
*'''Chatter Up''': This segment is new for the 2007 season, in which fans get to submit their thoughts on certain subjects via [[ESPN.com]] and then they are shown at the bottom of the screen and discussed on the show.
*'''Cutting The Wedge''': an in-depth analysis of a play or situation by former manager and studio analyst [[Eric Wedge]]
*'''Diamond Cuts''': Airs on the Sunday edition, a montage of the week's best plays set to music.
*'''Extra Bases''': a more in-depth look at a particular game after the highlights have aired.
*'''Going, Going, Gone''': the day's longest home runs. (Usually one of the last segments of the day.)
*'''Highlights''': the most important happenings from the days' Major League Baseball, occasionally also featuring other baseball competitions such as the [[World Baseball Classic]], the [[College World Series]], [[Minor League Baseball]], or the [[Little League World Series]]. Virtually every MLB game is shown at least once, more if there are in-progress highlights to report on.
*'''Inside Pitch''': This segment usually features Buster Olney, or another reporter, giving his insight on the latest news and rumors from around baseball.
*'''Leading Off''': usually the first segment of the show, giving the day's most significant baseball news, for example, trades, injury updates and hirings and firings of managers.
*'''The Week with Tim "Quirkjian"''': [[Tim Kurkjian]] gives unusual stats from the world of baseball. The segment is a play on the analyst's name.
*'''Most Important Thing''': Analysts' comments on the most important story from the day's happenings in [[Major League Baseball|MLB]]. This is usually the final segment of the show.
*'''On The Phone''': a live phone interview with an [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player, coach, or general manager, usually regarding the most recent game played and outlooks on the future of the team.
*'''Out of the Box''': This segment is similar to Leading Off, where they preview what is coming up on the show.
*'''Ridiculous Plays of the Week''': Usually aired on Fridays, it recaps the five most hilarious plays (and moments) from the past week.
*'''Stat of the Night''': an interesting baseball statistic from the day's happenings in [[Major League Baseball|MLB]].
*'''That's Nasty''': New in [[2007 in baseball|2007]], a segment showing the best pitches, usually with the most movement, of the night.
*'''Touch 'Em All''': significant home runs of the day, replaced "Going, Going, Gone!"
*'''Smash of the Night''': The most significant home run of the day. Usually the longest or biggest scorer like a "Grand Slam".
*'''[[Sport Science (TV series)|Sport Science]]''': Hosted by [[John Brenkus]], this five-minute segment examines a key play through scientific analysis.
* '''Web Gems''': the day's five best defensive plays. On Sundays, the best defensive plays of the entire week air. Points are given to each player and at the end of the season the player with the most points wins a trophy.
* '''Greatest Home Runs''': begun as a temporary segment in honor of [[Barry Bonds]]' ascension to the all-time MLB home run champion. Featured the greatest five home runs in the history of a different franchise every day for the duration of the segment; on August 26 (the final day of the segment), the Top 10 Home Runs of All-Time were featured.

One featured [[running gag]] on the show is the spoof segment "Name That Molina", where one of the personalities has to guess which of the three Molina catcher brothers &ndash; [[Bengie Molina|Bengie]], [[José Molina (baseball)|Jose]], or [[Yadier Molina|Yadier]] &ndash; is being shown. "Name that LaRoche" is another spoof segment featuring the two brothers who play for the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] [[Andy LaRoche|Andy]] and the [[Washington Nationals]] [[Adam LaRoche|Adam]].

Another [[running gag]] is the Umpire Fantasy League in which "owners" of umpires in this fictitious league are rewarded for their umpires ejecting players or coaches. It is unclear whether this is reference to the real-life [http://umpireejections.blogspot.com/ Umpire Ejection Fantasy League].

Also another gag in session is when an analyst on the show uses the "Stump the host" slogan. This is when the analyst has information on a certain players milestone that has just happened on the telecast. An example is when a player hits a home run, double, steals a base, or strikes someone out and the analyst will say "Stump the Host; Career hr/strikeout/2-B/SB/etc. number __? The host very seldom knows the answer but will take a reasonable, and sometimes ludicrous, guess at what the answer might be. This gag is very seldom used but sometimes is quite comical for the fact that the host has no idea what the answer may be.

==Live look-ins==
[[ESPN]] is generally prohibited by [[Major League Baseball]] from showing live look-ins of in-progress games, and limited to showing in-progress highlights after they happen. However, an exception is made when there is an extraordinary event taking place, such as a no-hitter or perfect game, and ESPN is allowed to show live look-ins during ''Baseball Tonight''. Other circumstances include an ESPN-scheduled game which suffers a [[rain delay]], or is completely rained out and postponed.

==Criticism==
Some have criticized the program because of a perceived bias in favor of certain teams. The most vocal comment was expressed by [[Heath Bell]]:
{{cquote|I truly believe ESPN only cares about promoting the Red Sox and Yankees and Mets – and nobody else. That's why I like the [[MLB Network]], because they promote everybody. I'm really turned off by ESPN and 'Baseball Tonight.' When ''(then-[[San Diego Padres|Padre]])'' [[Jake Peavy]] threw 8{{fraction|1|3}} [[inning]]s on Saturday, they showed one pitch in the third inning and that was it. It's all about the [[Boston Red Sox|Red Sox]], [[New York Yankees|Yankees]], and [[New York Mets|Mets]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/13/padres-report-rotation05252/?padres|last=Krasovic|first=Tom|title=Black tinkers with pitching rotation|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=April 13, 2009|access-date=August 29, 2009|archive-date=April 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415145531/http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/13/padres-report-rotation05252/?padres|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}

== Media ==
A video game titled ''[[ESPN Baseball Tonight]]'' was released for 16-bit systems and DOS PCs in 1994. The game featured MLB license, but not MLBPA license.

In late 2012, mobile game company SkyZone Entertainment and TheAppsGames released ''ESPN Going Going Gone'', an arcade style home run derby game for both Android and iOS. The game features an intro and voice over by ESPN's [[Dan Shulman]] and ESPN trademark.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Baseball|Television}}
*''[[MLB Tonight]]''
*''[[MLB Whiparound]]''
* ''[[ESPN Major League Baseball]]''
* ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]''
* ''[[Monday Night Baseball]]''
* ''[[Wednesday Night Baseball]]''
* ''[[Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio]]''
* [[ESPN Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
* [[Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio broadcasters]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061213205723/http://sports.espn.go.com/espntv/espnShow?showID=BBPT Baseball Tonight official site]
* [https://www.espn.com/mlb/baseballtonight Baseball Tonight Extra]
* {{IMDb title|0481435|Baseball Tonight}}
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[[Category:ESPN original programming]]
[[Category:1990 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1990s American sports television series]]
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