Hours after his life changed, a 33-year career with ESPN suddenly over, Karl Ravech sat behind a microphone and displayed the professionalism that has defined his career.
“For many of you that are on here, you’re members and soon-to-be (guest) Adam Wainwright, there’s a lot going on with ESPN, we’re well aware of it, we’re not going to discuss that tonight,” Ravech said Tuesday night on his “Dirt From The Dugout” podcast, which he linked to via his X account.
“This is all about the parents’ dugout, it’s all about “Dirt From The Dugout,” it’s all about trying to help parents, which ultimately here is our goal and young players on their journeys…”
Just one day after he served as the play-by-play voice for Monday’s Phillies-Dodgers game in Philadelphia, ESPN included Ravech in its massive layoffs in a stunning move.
Ravech, 61, is arguably the biggest name among those let go, with former NFLers Ryan Clark and Cam Newton along with NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero also included in the cost-cutting decisions.
While Ravech didn’t have as awkward a split as Clark, who learned mid-show about his dismissal, it seems the former “SportsCenter” anchor also had to learn the news second-hand.
The Athletic reported Tuesday morning around 8:30 a.m. that Ravech was expected to be included in the layoffs, but he told the outlet he had not been told that he would be on the outs.
Those watching the Phillies’ win over the Dodgers on ESPN on Monday night certainly would have had no idea that massive change loomed for the play-by-play man.
“For Eduardo Perez, David Ross, Buster Olney and our entire crew, I’m Buster Olney saying we enjoyed it and certainly hope you did,” Ravech said calmly.
“Time now to go to Anaheim, Angels and Cardinals.”
Ravech joined ESPN in May of 1993 and had been a staple of their baseball coverage.
He served as the lead voice for “Sunday Night Baseball” for four seasons and played an important role on “Baseball Tonight,” per his ESPN biography.
Ravech also aided the company’s coverage of the Little League World Series, college basketball and golf, plus his “SportsCenter” responsibilities over the years.
